Monarch Migration Update: February 4, 2005
Today's Report Includes:
- Welcome to Journey North's Spring Monarch Migration Season
- The Magic of Monarch Migration: For Young Readers
- Orientation Message for New Participants
- This Season’s Theme: Habitat, Adaptation and Survival
- Exploring the Monarch’s Winter Habitat: What Do Monarchs Need?
- Photo Tour: Looking for Food, Water, Shelter, and Space
- Challenge Question #1: What Did You Find?
- Cultivating Keen Observers: Teaching With Photos
Welcome to Journey North's Spring Monarch Migration Season!
We watched in awe last fall as our familiar backyard butterflies flew all the way to Mexico. The butterflies left in advance of our northern winter, and traveled by the millions to a tiny region on the planet where they’ve been resting since November. We begin Journey North each year in February, while the monarchs are still at their over-wintering sites, deep in central Mexico. Welcome back!
Here is an overview of monarch migration for young readers:
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The Magic of Monarch Butterfly Migration |
- ...along with an Orientation Message for New Participants
This Season’s Theme: Habitat, Adaptation and Survival
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| Dr. Lincoln Brower, Sweet Briar College |
“It’s all about staying alive, day to day,” remarked Dr. Karen Oberhauser on one of her early visits to the over-wintering sites. Year after year, she and other scientists return to Mexico to study the biological needs of the over-wintering butterflies. There’s more than can be learned in a scientist’s lifetime!
During the coming weeks, we’ll take a close look at the monarch’s winter habitat, and the adaptations monarchs have for survival. We’ll continue the theme as we travel north with the monarchs, along the migration route and into the breeding grounds. Remember, migratory animals move because their needs are not met in one habitat. What needs do you suppose the monarch’s habitat in Mexico can’t provide? Can you predict what will trigger the monarch’s departure?
Exploring the Monarch’s Winter Habitat: What Do Monarchs Need?
| Habitat |
| The place and conditions where all of an organism’s needs for life are met. Food, water, shelter and space are key components of an organism’s habitat. |
What do monarchs need? Have a brainstorm in your class. List everything you think monarchs need. Make four columns on a chart or in a science journal. Label them food, water, shelter, space. Keep this list in a prominent place so you can refer to it during the season. Also keep a running list of questions your class generates as you explore monarch habitat.
Photo Tour: Looking for Food, Water, Shelter and Space
Now it’s time for a tour of the monarch’s winter home. Grab your science journal so you can take notes.
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Challenge Question #1: What Did You Find?
After your tour, write a description of the monarch’s winter habitat, based on what you saw. Can you add to your list of monarch needs on the wintering grounds? We hope you will send us your answer to the first Challenge Question of the season:
Challenge
Question #1
“After taking your tour, describe one example of food, water, shelter
or space that you found most interesting. Explain why you think it is
important for monarch survival. Then list four new questions you have
about monarch habitat, one question from each category (food, water, shelter,
and space).”
(Please send us your answer! Simply follow the instructions below.)
Cultivating Keen Observers: Teaching With Photos
Observation is at the heart of inquiry; it is the first step in the scientific process. This lesson provides strategies for using photos to build students’ observation and thinking skills.
How to Respond to Today's Monarch Challenge Question
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-monarch@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #1
3. In the body of your message, answer the question above.
The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on February 11, 2005
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