Holley third-graders are witnessing a real life cycle right in their own classrooms. As part of the living things unit in their science classes, the students are watching Painted Lady butterflies metamorphose from caterpillars to butterflies, a process that takes three to four weeks. "The students really like this unit and get very excited when the chrysalis hatches," said Karen Quaranto, a third-grade teacher.

The classes also receive a visit from "The Butterfly Man," also known as John T. MacRoy. MacRoy has over 4,000 species of butterflies from all over the world, including North and South America, Asia, Papua New Guinea and West Africa, which he gathered himself during his extensive travels. First, MacRoy gives the students a slide presentation, so they can see where the different specimens were found, then he sets up his exhibits that include not only butterflies, but insects as well.

The unit also includes a field trip to Genesee Country Museum where students walk the nature trails and use nets to gather their own specimens. Then curators help the students identify what type of insects they've gathered. Back at the classroom, everyone learns the different body parts of an insect, which is also part of the living things unit.