Published using Google Docs
Lesson 3_ Monarchs and Milkweed K-2nd.docx
Updated automatically every 5 minutes

Monarchs and Milkweed (K-2nd) | Series 8, Lesson #3

Monarchs and Milkweed

Key Topics/Vocabulary: Migration, Endangered Species, Life Cycle, Insects

Grade Level: K-2nd

Click here for #8 Series Description

Science Framework

Spanish Lesson Plan

Lesson Bridge:

Connect this lesson (3) with Flower Power (2) by reminding students that last week we learned about the interdependence of pollinators and flowers. See if students can recall flower anatomy and which types of pollinators prefer which types of flowers. This week, we are going to learn about a particular (and very important) relationship between a certain plant and insect species.

Lesson Overview:  

Students will learn about the relationship between  pollinators and flowers as well as Milkweed and Monarch butterflies! Afterward, they will make seed balls of wildflowers and native milkweed to help contribute to monarch habitat restoration!

Learning Objectives:

Essential Question(s) that Connect CCCs and SEPs:

Vocabulary:

Migration- When animals move locations on a regular cycle, or at certain times of the year.

Endangered Species- A plant or animal species at risk of becoming extinct (no longer existing).

Life Cycle- A series of stages a living thing goes through during its life.

Insects- A small animal whose body is divided into three parts.

Materials:

Prep:

Activity Procedure:

Engage: 

What are insects? Are butterflies insects? What kind of butterflies have you seen? Do you think butterflies live in our garden? Did you know insects drink nectar out of flowers? Different kinds of insects like different kinds of flowers for drinking nectar.

Explore:

Use your whiteboard to write a list of different pollinators and what they like:

Butterflies (Including Monarchs and Swallowtails)- Like brightly-colored that are big enough for them to land on!

Bees like blue/purple and yellow flowers as well as flowers with a sweet minty smell. They cannot see red.

Hummingbirds like red flowers that are long and shaped like a tube.

Beetles like white and green flowers that have a strong scent.

        Flies like flowers that smell like rotten meat!

Break students into groups and tell them what type of pollinator they are from the list above. Have them act out their pollinator and go around the garden looking for a flower that they want to drink nectar from. Have them use the chart as their guide. They can think about how they will move through the garden. Beetles might crawl, hummingbirds might move very fast). Remind them to smell the flower to tell if it’s one their pollinator might like! When they come back ask how it felt being a pollinator. Was it easy to find nectar? Were they in competition with other pollinators who liked the same type of flowers?

Optional Follow-up Activity

Lead students through the garden and see if you can find any butterflies, cocoons, eggs or caterpillars!

Sentence Frame: I notice ____________.

Sentence Frame: First _______, then ________, last ________. (Recalling life cycle)

Explain:

Butterflies are amazing! They live a part of their lives crawling on the ground as caterpillars and a part of their lives flying in the air. And they also help our garden. How is it that butterflies can help our garden?  That’s right, they are pollinators! Most flowers need butterflies, bees, or other pollinators to visit them to make seeds! Without butterflies a lot of flowers wouldn’t exist. Do any of you know the names of any of the butterflies that live in our area? The Monarch butterfly is an important butterfly to learn about when living in our area. They are orange and black and fly hundreds of miles every year. Show the students a picture.

Thumbs up/down: Have you ever seen a Monarch Butterfly?

There used to be more Monarch butterflies than there are now. This is because when people build things and make farms, they often get rid of the plants that Monarch need. Because of this, Monarch butterflies are now ‘Endangered Species’ these are types of animals that need extra help from humans to continue existing. One of the plants Monarch’s need is Milkweed. Milkweed is poisonous to most animals but does not hurt Monarch caterpillars. When they eat it, they become poisonous too, protecting them from other animals that might want to eat them. Define the remaining vocabulary words.

Think, Pair, Share: Can you think of a way we can help protect Monarchs from going extinct?

We can help protect Monarch caterpillars by planting Milkweed in our gardens!

Sentence Frame: When there is less _______ there are less _________. (milkweed, monarchs)

Action:

Milkweed/wildflower seedballs

  1. Review your Garden Agreements
  2. Invite students over to
  3. Demonstrate how to plant a seed or plant start in the ground.
  4. Give each group one Milkweed start or seeds and invite them to find somewhere in the garden to plant it (you can designate good locations if you want beforehand).
  5. Explain that even though Milkweed is a native plant, it needs water to get established. Pass the watering can around to the groups and let each student take turns watering!

Reflect:

How does planting Milkweed in the garden help Monarch butterflies? What would happen if there was no Milkweed in the world? Did you see any butterflies today? Are butterflies good for our garden?

Extension Activities: