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Monarchs

Elementary

Description

Monarchs is a resource chock full of information and activities that highlight the life cycle, migration and the needs of this beautiful butterfly. Students will engage in a variety of activities that speak to different learning styles while learning about the monarch.

The resource suggests beginning with a virtual presentation provided by Nature NB or showing the PowerPoint presentation included in the materials. Afterwards, the students will consolidate their learning by participating in four activities.

Activity 1: The students will learn about the four stages of the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly by watching a video and then acting out each different stage.

Activity 2: The students will learn about the migration of the monarch butterfly by playing a tag-like game in a large space. Each student will take on a different role to help bring to life the hardships and the helpers that the monarchs encounter along their journey.

Activity 3: Students will use clay, potting mix and milkweed seeds to create a milkweed seed ball to be placed outside in the hopes of creating plants for the butterflies.

Activity 4: From the point of view of a monarch butterfly who has completed the migration to Mexico, the students will write a postcard to the citizens of the area to thank them for their efforts to provide food along the way.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

Monarchs is a resource best suited to the early elementary Science classroom. It will help attain outcomes related to habitat, environment and animal lifecycles. It would compliment a unit on these topics very well as it has activities that are engaging and will help to solidify student learning.

Relevant Curriculum Units

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Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Ecosystems (4)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity
  • Endangered Species
  • Wildlife Protection

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Habitat Restoration