Hello! Today, we’re going to hear a fun story called “Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly.” It’s all about a girl named Velma and her amazing adventure with butterflies. Let’s dive into the story!
Velma Gratch is the youngest of three sisters. Her older sisters, Frieda and Fiona, were already famous in school for their talents. Now, it was Velma’s turn to start first grade. But Velma felt a little sad because the teachers didn’t remember her like they remembered her sisters.
Velma wanted to be noticed, so she sang loudly in music class and ran slowly in gym class. But this only got her sent to the principal’s office! Velma explained that she just wanted to be remembered like her sisters.
Velma loved science class, especially when they learned about butterflies. She discovered that butterflies start as eggs, become caterpillars, and then turn into beautiful butterflies. This magical change is called “metamorphosis.” Velma loved saying that big word!
She was so excited when her class planned a trip to the Butterfly Conservatory, a special place where butterflies live. Velma couldn’t wait to see all the butterflies!
At the conservatory, Velma learned that butterflies have delicate wings and shouldn’t be touched. She answered questions and felt proud when the guide didn’t know her sisters. But Velma felt a little sad when no butterflies landed on her.
Just as they were leaving, a beautiful orange and black monarch butterfly landed on Velma’s finger! She was so happy and felt special. The butterfly even stayed with her on the bus ride back to school.
Everyone at school was amazed by Velma and her butterfly. But Principal Crossly said it was time for the butterfly to go back to nature. Velma tried to let it go, but it didn’t want to leave her.
Finally, at the park, the wind blew, and the guide released more butterflies into the sky. Velma’s butterfly joined its friends, flying high and free. Velma felt proud and happy.
Velma learned that she could be special in her own way, different from her sisters. Her love for butterflies and science made her unique. Everyone thought Velma and her butterfly adventure were “way cool!”
Thank you for joining us for this story. Remember, you can always find your own special talents and interests. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep having fun!
Butterfly Life Cycle Craft: Let’s make a butterfly life cycle craft! Gather some paper, crayons, and scissors. Draw and cut out the four stages of a butterfly’s life: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. Arrange them in order on a piece of paper and label each stage. Talk about what happens in each stage and how Velma learned about this magical process called “metamorphosis.” Can you think of other animals that go through changes as they grow?
Butterfly Observation Walk: Go on a nature walk with a grown-up and look for butterflies. How many different types can you find? What colors are they? Do they remind you of Velma’s adventure at the Butterfly Conservatory? Try to spot where butterflies might lay their eggs or where caterpillars might be hiding. Remember, just like Velma learned, we should look but not touch!
My Special Talent: Just like Velma found her love for butterflies, think about something you love to do or learn about. Draw a picture of yourself doing this activity. Share your drawing with your friends or family and tell them why this is special to you. How does it make you feel? Remember, everyone has their own unique talents and interests!
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any unnecessary details while keeping the essence of the story intact:
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Welcome to Storyline Online, brought to you by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. I’m Kyra Sedgwick, and today I’m going to read “Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly,” written by Alan Madison and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.
Velma Gratch was the youngest of the three Gratch sisters. Frieda, the oldest, and Fiona had already gone through first grade, and now it was Velma’s turn. The teachers remembered her sisters for their talents, but they could hardly recall Velma’s name. This made Velma feel like she didn’t belong in first grade. She wanted to curl up and go back to kindergarten.
“Of course you belong,” her mother said, trying to cheer her up. “You’ve only just begun. Soon everybody will notice you.” Velma couldn’t wait to be noticed.
In chorus, she sang loudly, and in gym, she ran slowly so the teacher could see her. In class, she refused to read and muddled her math. Mr. Plexipuss lamented that she was the first Gratch sister sent to the principal’s office, which made Velma smile a little.
“Littlest Gratch, why are you singing so loudly and running so slowly?” inquired Principal Crossly. Velma explained that she wanted to be remembered like her sisters.
Science was Velma’s favorite subject, especially the lesson about butterflies. She learned that a butterfly starts as an egg, turns into a caterpillar, and then into a beautiful butterfly through a process called metamorphosis. Velma repeated the word as she walked home.
She asked her sisters if they studied butterflies in first grade, but they didn’t. Velma proudly declared that they were studying butterflies and repeated the word “metamorphosis.”
Velma read everything about butterflies in the library and discovered many kinds, but her favorite was the orange and black monarch. She was excited when Mr. Plexipuss announced a class trip to the Butterfly Conservatory. Velma repeated the word “conservatory” on her way home.
At the conservatory, a guide explained that butterflies shouldn’t be touched because their wings are delicate. Velma raised her hand and answered correctly. The guide didn’t know her sisters, which made Velma feel a bit unnoticed.
Inside the conservatory, butterflies of every variety flew around. Velma was thrilled but felt sad when no butterflies landed on her. As they were leaving, a lovely monarch landed on her finger, and she was overjoyed.
The butterfly stayed with her on the bus ride home and even during class. Soon, everyone knew about Velma and her butterfly. However, Principal Crossly insisted it was time for the butterfly to go. Velma tried to let it go, but it wouldn’t budge.
She took everyone to the park, and as the wind blew, the guide opened a sack, releasing more monarchs into the sky. Velma’s butterfly finally took flight, joining its friends.
Principal Crossly praised Velma, and everyone agreed it was “way cool.” With her finger still tingling from the butterfly, Velma floated home with her sisters.
This story highlights the challenges of finding your own voice in a family. Velma discovered her passion for science, which was different from her sisters’ interests. Thank you for watching Storyline Online. Make sure to check out all of our stories. Keep watching, and keep reading.
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This version maintains the core narrative while streamlining the content for clarity.
