Last updated: October 12, 2022
Lesson Plan
K-2: Monarch Migration
- Grade Level:
- Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Science
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- Additional Standards:
- K-ESS3-1: Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.
CCSS:
RL.K.10:
W.K.2:
Leave No Trace Standard 1:
Leave what you find. - Thinking Skills:
- Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words.
Essential Question
● What do plants and animals need to survive?
● Where do plants and animals live?
Objective
● Students will be able to define a butterfly’s needs (type of food and water).
● Students will be able to describe a Monarch Butterfly’s habitat.
● Students will be able to sequence the events in a plant’s life cycle.
Background
This lesson plan was created by Kate McKenna as part of the Acadia Teacher Fellows (ATF) program. ATFs created lesson plans are created by educators for educators. Any books or links suggested in this curriculum are not an endorsement by the National Park Service.
Students and teacher will read a book about the milkweed plant and monarch butterflies. A local Master Gardener will show students how to plant the seeds and what the growing process will look like. Students will learn about the second phase of this project, to commence in the spring. Students will search for good nectar plants on school grounds.
Preparation
- Prior to this activity, the teacher should introduce the students to their special guest – the Master Gardener. The students should be familiar with butterflies and plants.
- The teacher should take the students outside to an appropriate gathering place (safe from vehicles and comfortable for sitting). The students will sit as the teacher reads the book, Monarchs and Milkweed. The teacher should take time to highlight the life cycle of milkweed. (The Master Gardener may be willing to read the book to the students but does not have to).
Materials
Download Monarch Migration Fall Lesson
Download Monarch Migration Spring
Procedure
See lesson plans under "materials" for procedure.
Vocabulary
Monarch – species of butterfly known for its orange and black coloration migration
Master Gardener – person with passion for gardening and hours of experience
Migration – movement of groups in order to find more food or other resources