02/04/2026 by Amanda Etim

Firefly Song - Bioluminescence

Written By: Amanda Etim

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Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

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Introduction

Firefly Song by Colleen Paeff is a great read-aloud to help teach about fireflies and bioluminescence in the classroom. Below you will find suggestions for projects that pair well with the book. If you'd like your own copy of the book, you can purchase it directly from the publisher or from Amazon.

Step 1 Book Overview

Every year, Lynn spends her summers roaming the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains and watching the fireflies light up the night. As she gets older, she realizes there’s something special about these Great Smoky fireflies. Each night they seem to perform a dazzling synchronized light show!

She tries to learn more, but scientists tell her that synchronous fireflies don’t exist in the western hemisphere. Lynn may not be a scientist, but she wonders like a scientist and pays attention like a scientist. She believes in herself and the silent song of the fireflies.

With determination and hard work, Lynn sets out to convince the scientific community that she’s right—and to tell the world about the beauty of the firefly show she’s seen her entire life.

Every year, Lynn spends her summers roaming the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains and watching the fireflies light up the night. As she gets older, she realizes there’s something special about these Great Smoky fireflies. Each night they seem to perform a dazzling synchronized light show!
She tries to learn more, but scientists tell her that synchronous fireflies don’t exist in the western hemisphere. Lynn may not be a scientist, but she wonders like a scientist and pays attention like a scientist. She believes in herself and the silent song of the fireflies.
With determination and hard work, Lynn sets out to convince the scientific community that she’s right—and to tell the world about the beauty of the firefly show she’s seen her entire life.