Monarch Butterflies: The Long Migration

Information for Teachers

Curriculum links

This investigation is linked to the following Grade 3 Next Generation Science Standards.

LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms

Reproduction is essential to the continued existence of every kind of organism. Plants and animals have unique and diverse life cycles. (3-LS1-1)

Many characteristics of organisms are inherited from their parents. (3-LS3-1)

LS2.D: Social Interactions and Group Behavior

Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size. (3-LS2-1)

LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits

Other characteristics result from individuals’ interactions with the environment, which can range from diet to learning. Many characteristics involve both inheritance and environment. (3- LS3-2)

LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans

Populations live in a variety of habitats, and change in those habitats affects the organisms living there. (3-LS4-4)

 

 

How to search the internet

1 Keep your request short

Fewer words will give a more accurate search.

2 Choose exactly what you want

For example: Arctic Circle Climate

3 Use quotes

Double quotes around a set of words tell the search engine to consider those exact words in that exact order without any change. For example: “Arctic Circle Climate”

4 Use the plus sign (+)

If you add a plus sign (+) between words, the internet will search for all the words. For example: migrate+birds+whales+mammal

5 Use the minus sign (–) to say what you don’t want

Use a minus sign (–) to show words you do not want to appear in your results. For example: if you search for burrowing animals and do not want mammals in your search,  –mammals will exclude mammals. Note that you need to put a space before the minus sign for the word to be excluded.

6 Be very clear about what you don’t want

Part 1
Ask questions and define problems

After reading Monarch Butterflies: The Long Migration, you may have many questions about these insects.

List your questions

  • Compare your list with questions that others have.
  • Choose a question you would like to investigate.
  • You can work alone, with a partner, or in a small group.

You may want to choose one or more of these questions to investigate

Q1. How do the monarchs that migrate to Mexico find their way? Find different explanations that people have given.

Q2. Where do the monarchs travel on their journey?

Go to Part 2 Investigate →

Part 2
Investigate

Helpful websites

You may want to use websites to help with your investigations.
Some websites allow you to report and follow reports of sightings of monarchs, or to study people who have spent their lives studying monarch behavior, or to follow where the insects travel.

 

Go to Part 3 Record data →

Part 3
Record data

Find a way of recording your information that will allow you to see any patterns in the data.

Data chart for monarch migration

Download Chart
Go to Part 4 Organize, analyze, and interpret data →

Part 4
Organize, analyze, and interpret data

1. Look over the information you have gathered and the patterns you have found.

Why do you think monarchs migrate to these different places at different times? Why do they need to do this?

2. Search for other patterns.

How far did the monarchs travel in different seasons?

How far north did they reach?

3. Makes notes about what you find.

Go to Part 5 Present and share →

Part 5
Present and share

Look over all of the information that you have gathered in your investigation.

What are the most important ideas about monarch migration?

Make a chart showing the most important ideas.

Choose another animal that migrates and find the reasons why.

Download Chart
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