Grades: 3-5
Teacher background info:
In this unit the students will read about Monarch Butterflies and their life cycle. They will raise butterflies from eggs and observe the different stages of complete metamorphosis. They will follow the migration of butterflies from Canada to Mexico on the internet and investigate environmental conditions that affect the butterflies' trip. They will tag butterflies as they come through Kansas, as well as those that they raise.
I. Major Concept: Monarch Butterflies are insects with a complete metamorphosis life cycle, that migrate between Canada and Mexico every year.
II. Objectives:
A. The students will summarize the complete metamorphosis life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly in a journal, by recording their observations of each stage with remarks and drawings or photos. The journal must show all four stages.
B. The students will explain migration by choosing and completing one of the
following projects:
1. Write an imaginary journal of a Monarch Butterfly's
journey from Canada to Mexico that includes three different geographic references, two different weather conditions, and one predatory peril.
2. Draw map or maps that show Monarch Butterflies' migration,
show 7 landmarks and mileage.
3. Report on a theory of migration and explain scientific support for it in an oral report.
III. List of Materials:
A. Raising butterflies
1. Monarch eggs - gather own or order from K U
2. Milkweed
3. Flat box of sand
4. Tomato cage
5. Netting
B. Tagging butterflies
1. Tags and information forms - from K U
C. Art projects
1. Construction paper, wax paper, tissue paper
2. markers, pencils, paints
3.White glue
4. Magnetic stripping
5. Scissors
D. Social studies projects
1. Maps
2. Stationery
E. Language arts projects
1. Notebook paper and pencils and pens
IV. List of References:
A. For the teacher
1. Attenborough, David (1979). Life on Earth. Little, Brown and Company, Boston, pp. 87-97. Describes insect characteristics, anatomy and life cycles.
2. Attenborough, David (1990). The Trails of Life. Little, Brown and company, Boston, pp. 78-133. Discusses animal and insect adaptations and disguise. Great pictures of insect examples. Discusses migration of birds, fish, animals and insects.
3. Hutchens, Alma R. (1991). Indian Herbalogy of North America. Shambhala, Boston, pp195-197. Describes Native American medicinal uses of milkweed.
4. Kindscher, Kelly (1987). Edible Wild Plants of the Prairie. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, pp. 54-59. Describes milkweed habitat, appearance, food use, and cultivation.
5. Sheldrake, Rupert (1995). Seven Experiments That Could Change The World. Riverhead Books, New York, pp. 33-53. Talks about different theories to account for migration abilities of birds, insects, and animals.
B. For the students:
1. Gibbons, Gail (1989). Monarch Butterfly. Holiday House, New York. Easy read. Describes the life cycle, anatomy and activities of Monarch Butterflies. Tells how to raise butterflies.
2. Gray, Alice (1965). Insects. Golden Press, New York. Beginner information about insects. Information on how insects fit into the larger "life picture". Describes life cycles, anatomy and activities of insects.
3. Gunderson, Harvey (1964). The Wonder of the Monarchs. Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, Inc., New York. A little bit more difficult read. Describes the Monarch Butterfly life cycle. Nice illustrations.
4. Hutchins, Ross E. (1966). The Travels of Monarch X. Rand McNally & Company, Chicago. True story of the life and migration of a Monarch Butterfly, tagged in 1957. Book includes scientific notes and an index.
5. Lobsenz, Norman M. (1959). The Insect World. Golden Press, New York. A little more sophisticated book about insects. More difficult read. Describes insect characteristics and activities.
6. Marcher, Marion W. (1954). Monarch Butterfly. Holiday House, USA. Describes life cycle in a narrative story that spans two generations. Good book for middle skill readers.
7. Rood, Ronald N. (1963). Butterflies and Moths. Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, New York. Compares and contrasts moths and butterflies. Describes life cycles, anatomy, and activities of butterflies and moths. Describes families of butterflies and gives scientific names. Good resource, more difficult read.
8. Simon, Hilda (1968). Insect Masquerades. The Viking Press, New York. Describes adaptations, disguises, camouflage, and warning signals of the insect world. Nice illustrations. More difficult read.
9. Whalley, Paul and Mary (1987). The Butterfly in the Garden. Gareth Stevens Publishing, Milwaukee. Describes butterflies activities and life cycle in their natural habitat. Relates butterflies to the larger "life picture". Nice photo illustrations, also has a glossary and a food chain illustration.
V. Content Related Words: see vocabulary
VI. Projects and Activities for Students
A. Math
1. Students will follow the migratory journey of Monarchs on a map. They can estimate the distance the butterflies will travel each day. Using the map scale, they can figure mileage traveled from sighting to sighting.
2. Students will determine the line of symmetry of various geometric figures. Students will explore multiple lines of symmetry of various geometric figures. Students will relate lines of symmetry to objects in real life (like butterflies). See "More Than You Probably Want to Know About Symetry."
3. Students will graph the male/female population that they capture and tag.
B. Science
1. Students can raise Monarch butterflies from eggs, in a net cage. See "Instructions: Monarch Kit 2" sheet for cage ideas.
2. Students can identify and harvest, or grow, milkweed to feed the caterpillars. Seeds can be obtained from KU.
3. Students will observe the insect life cycle of the Monarch Butterflies that they raise in the classroom. They can record their observation with journal entries and drawings.
4. Students will tag butterflies they raise, as well as those they capture, as part of Monarch Watch in cooperation with the Department of Entomology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. They will record information on the "Monarch Watch Tagging Record".
5. Students can record the weather conditions on the migratory path of the Monarch Butterfly. They can gather information from more than one media source. They can document TV weather reports as well as those on the internet. Students can compare and contrast the miles traveled by the butterflies in various weather conditions.
6. Students can investigate the adaptations, camouflage, mimicry and other devices insects use to survive. National Geographic's, "Wild Survivors: Camouflage and Mimicry" would be an excellent video to watch on the subject. No. Y51553 45 minute color video $19.95.
C. Art
1. Students can continue their investigation of symmetry by making paint blot pictures of colorful butterflies.
2. Students can use symmetry to make a Monarch Butterfly refrigerator magnet. They can make one wing and then copy the wing to make the whole butterfly. Then they can copy the whole butterfly to make a top and bottom.
3.Students will make a 'stained glass butterfly' by gluing pieces of tissue paper on wax paper. Using previously explored symmetry concepts, they can make the frame for their stained glass. This project could be combined with a science lesson on the colored scales that cover the butterfly's wings.
4. Students can create a cover for their observation journal, using media of their choice.
5. Students can be provided with disposable, or inexpensive, cameras to photograph the butterfly raising project. They can document their journals with the photos, or decorate a bulletin board.
6. Students can explore the concept of metamorphosis with an art project based on the work of M. C. Escher.
D. Social Studies
1. The students can follow the migratory path of the Monarch Butterflies on a map and investigate the geography the butterflies are traveling over. Each classroom group can be assigned a state or province to give an oral report on.
2. The students can visit various internet sites. For example, the Canadian site: http://www.wwfcanada.org/wwfkids/index.html, has an interactive game for kids to plot the migratory path of the butterflies. It also has information about the activities and life of the butterflies in Canada.
3. Students can communicate with students in Mexico and/or Canada via the internet or regular mail. Journey North is an organized project for students to communicate with students in Mexico.
4. Destruction of habitat in both Mexico and Canada for commercial purposes raises concerns and questions about the survival of the Monarch Butterfly. Students can discuss and write about these environmental concerns.
E. Language Arts
1. Students can read one of the many books about Monarch Butterflies for their own enjoyment,or they could read a book to a younger class as part of a sharing experience.
2. Students can write letters to students in Canada or Mexico as part of the study of Monarchs and migration. They could continue to write and share other school experiences.
3. Students can record their observations and experiences of raising butterflies in a journal. The journal can be combined with art projects and include drawings and maps.
4. Students can make oral or written reports on migration, metamorphosis, or insect adaptations.
VII. Culminating Activities
A. Share butterflies with a younger class, have students explain butterfly life cycle to the younger class and read them butterfly stories.
B. Set free butterflies that students have raised and have a bon voyage party.
C. Field trip to tag butterflies and compile information for Monarch Watch.
VIII. Evaluations
A. Keep a journal of observations a complete metamorphosis life cycle with illustrations - must document egg, larva, pupa and adult to be complete.
B. Choice of: Imaginary journal of a Monarch Butterfly's journey from
Canada to Mexico.
Draw map or maps that show Monarch Butterflies' migration,
show landmarks and mileage.
Report a on theory of migration.
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