The Monarch Butterfly Migration Has Begun!

The migration has begun.

Each September, Monarch butterflies begin a 3000-mile journey, of about three months, from Canada and the United States to their destination—Mexico.  Sadly, the monarch butterfly numbers are diminishing. Just 15 years ago, there were an estimated one billion orange/black butterflies. Today, scientists say there are less than 30 million. One main reason for less monarch butterflies is a pesticide that is used today. It kills weeds and it also kills a plant called milkweed. Milkweed is the only plant that a monarch butterfly uses to lay their eggs. It is also the only food of the Monarch caterpillar. The lepidoptera (butterflies) need our help. People are being encouraged to plant more milkweed plants along the routes that Monarchs follow on their migration south. Trying to use fewer pesticides would help, too.

Extension Activities:
Draw/color a picture of a monarch butterfly. Write a day in the life of a monarch. What do you see? Hear? Feel? Touch? as you migrate toward Mexico for the winter.

Discuss the Japanese poem style called a haiku. Write a haiku about a Monarch butterfly.

Review prior knowledge on why butterflies are important. Review the information here on the importance of butterflies. Make a poster and include three facts learned.

Explore some jigsaw puzzles on Primarygames.com and Kidzone.ws.  

Helpful links:

• http://kidzone.ws/animals/monarch_butterfly.htm
• http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/species/Monarch.shtml

Gail
Check out my teaching resources (webquests/reader’s theater scripts and more).