The Marvelous Monarch Migration

Introduction

 Imagine being able to travel thousands of miles without a map or GPS! 

Monarch butterflies are known for their striking orange and black wings. They undertake one of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom, traveling up to 3,000 miles from North America to central Mexico each year. How do monarch butterflies navigate their journey, and how does their migration affect the world around them?

Task

You have now changed from student to Monarch Migration Specialists. Your coworkers need you to answer five very important questions and present it to them using googles slides to help them understand the migration of monarchs. 

The questions: 

 1. What is the monarch butterfly's migration route?

  2. How do monarchs navigate their journey? 

  3. What is the impact of monarch migration on different environments?

  4. How do human activities affect monarch migration?

  5. What ways can we help protect monarch butterflies and their habitats?

 

 

Process

Now that we understand our job let's get to work answering these questions to help our coworkers know monarchs and all of their glory!

1. Research monarch butterfly migration using provided resources below 

2. Map the monarch's migration route across North America or find a picture to paste into your presentation 

3. Investigate how monarchs navigate (e.g., using the sun, magnetic fields)

4. Explore the impact of monarchs on different ecosystems along their route

5. Examine how climate change and human activities affect monarch migration

6. Discover conservation efforts to protect monarchs

7. Create a presentation (digital slideshow, poster, or video)

8. Prepare to share findings with the your coworkers 

Provided resources: 

https://www.monarchwatch.org/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/monarch-butterfly

https://maps.journeynorth.org/map/?map=monarch-adult-fall&year=2022

 

Local facilities: 

https://powellgardens.org/festival-of-butterflies/

Make your own Garden: 

 

Evaluation

What are my coworkers looking for within my presentation? 

Monarch Butterfly Migration Assignment Rubric (45 points total)

1. Accuracy of migration route information (10 points)
   - Clearly describes the monarch's annual migration route and stopover locations
   - Provides specific details about the distances traveled and geographical features along the way

2. Understanding of monarch navigation methods (10 points) 
   - Explains how monarchs use a combination of environmental cues to navigate their migration
   - Discusses the role of the sun compass and magnetic compass

3. Explanation of monarch impact on different environments (10 points)
   - Describes how the monarch's presence affects the ecosystems it inhabits during migration

4. Analysis of human influence on monarch migration (10 points)
   - Examines how human activities (e.g., land use changes, pesticide use, climate change) impact monarch populations and migration patterns
   - Evaluates the threats posed to monarchs by humans 
   - How can we help as a community

5. Proper citation of sources (5 points)
   - Accurately and consistently cites all external sources used in the assignment
  

Conclusion

Monarchs are an important part of nature. We need to understand how monarchs interact with the other plants and animals around them. This helps us keep the monarch population strong and protect their amazing migration. When we look closely at how monarchs are connected to their environment, we can come up with better ways to conserve and protect them. 

Studying the butterflies in your neighborhood is a great way to learn more about the natural world around you. By watching the monarchs and other butterflies in your backyard or local park, you can start to see how they interact with the plants, flowers, and other animals. This can help you understand how important butterflies are to keeping the ecosystem healthy and balanced. Remember, even small actions like planting native flowers can make a big difference in protecting butterfly habitats. Keep exploring and observing - you might be surprised by all the amazing things you discover about the butterflies and ecosystems in your own community! How can you be good neighbor to monarch butterflies and other migratory animals?

Credits

Credits can also be found in process tab: 

Provided resources: 

https://www.monarchwatch.org/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/monarch-butterfly

https://maps.journeynorth.org/map/?map=monarch-adult-fall&year=2022

 

Local facilities: 

https://powellgardens.org/festival-of-butterflies/

Make your own Garden: 

Teacher Page

KSDE Standard for a Fifth grade classroom: (Standard 5) Relationships among people, places, ideas, and environments are dynamic.

Standard alignment: Social Studies Standard: "Relationships among people, places, ideas, and environments are dynamic"

Additional standards:

  - Science: Ecosystems and environmental changes

  - Geography: Map reading and creation

  - Language Arts: Research and presentation skills

Differentiation: Allow students choice in the order they complete the web quest, typing help, choice in delivery (on paper/poster/online without presentation), alternate location for completion, and/or tiered alternative assignment

Local trip suggestion: Powell Gardens or University of Saint Mary (during fall to observe butterfly's around campus)

Extension of lesson: Growing our own butterfly from egg to adult (science and social studies), planting milkweed, or watching the migration live online