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Monarch Migration-Elementary

Elementary

Description

A combination of stirring music and spectacular time lapse photography captures the Monarch butterfly life cycle from egg to adult.  This remarkable audio-visual experience also includes footage of the seasonal migration of these delicate creatures as they travel thousands of kilometres to their Mexican wintering areas.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This video supports lessons in which students explore animal life cycles, migration and seasonal changes, as well as their own relationship with nature.  The film offers an excellent introduction to an outdoor exploration for butterfly species in local habitats.  Students could inventory natural features that support butterfly growth and use this information to design and implement a  conservation project.  Activities could include growing and transplanting host plants, creating resting places or raising butterflies for release.

The migration of Monarch butterflies is a remarkable feat of flight.  A science project could have students investigating butterfly adaptations and identifying structural features that enable this species to fly such long distances. 

Older students could explore the link between Canada and Mexico from a habitat perspective by investigating threats such as logging.  A class may even be able to video link with a school located in a Monarch butterfly  wintering area to discuss conservation issues surrounding this species.

Relevant Curriculum Units

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        • Science: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
    • Grade 4
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        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (2)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity

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