Third grade students are learning about the Fall migration pattern of the monarch butterfly from the Great Lakes region to Mexico. Some of our students' families come from Michoacan, Mexico, the monarchs destination! We looked at the book Migrating Monarchs and many images to aid in our understanding.
Students paid close attention to the shapes that form the structure of the butterflies and their wing pattern. In order to make sure our drawings come out symmetrical students were shown how to transfer their butterfly image, using the light from the windows. Our next steps will be to add color with oil pastel and paint!
Students paid close attention to the shapes that form the structure of the butterflies and their wing pattern. In order to make sure our drawings come out symmetrical students were shown how to transfer their butterfly image, using the light from the windows. Our next steps will be to add color with oil pastel and paint!
Below is an image showing the monarch butterfly migration that was just found on weather radar last week! Super cool! Students watched a brief video about the radar discovery, please take look at the weather channel coverage of the phenomenon. If the video doesn't work, you can also find it by following the link below, it is well worth a look!
http://www.weather.com/news/butterflies-fill-radar-missouri-20140924
http://www.weather.com/news/butterflies-fill-radar-missouri-20140924
The linked video also talks about the decline of the monarch population over the past decade. We discussed why the butterflies are dying, mostly because of habitat loss in Mexico and use of herbicides that are killing milkweed plants. Students are excited about seeing what they can do to help the monarchs! We have brainstormed ideas such as writing the Mexican government to urge them to stop the deforestation of the fir trees and planting milkweed plants around the school campus! We will keep you updated on our activism!