Monarch Butterflies

The Migration Through Mexico
A Navigation Mystery

1) Predict: Which way will the monarchs travel in Mexico?
Begin by exploring a satellite image of Mexico and comparing it with other migration maps. Use the live migration map to see where the monarchs traveled in the U.S. and Canada. Use the map of migration pathways in Texas to see where the monarchs enter Mexico.

Notice the geographic features. (See list below under #3.) Based on what you've learned about migration across Canada and the United States, do you have any clues about migration pathways in Mexico? What regions might the butterflies cross —or avoid? What might this tell us about where the monarchs will go as they enter Mexico? Write your predictions on this handout. If they travel the most direct route, where would you expect them to go?

2) Geography and Migration: Read for Detail
Have students read the scientist's description of the supposed migration pathway. (These Reading Strategies may help students comprehend difficult text.) As they read, encourage students to mark up the text:

  • Underline the names of the towns
  • Circle the names of the states
  • List the geographic features
  • Star sentences that the describe how monarchs migrate through the region (ways they benefit, eg. wind.)

Monarch biologist Dr. Calvert believes that Mexico's geography funnels the migration. The monarchs travel along the specific and narrow path that they do because of several important geographic features (Gulf of Mexico, Sierra Madres Mountains).

3) Make a Map
On a blank map of Mexico find and label the geographic and political features important to the migration:

  • Gulf of Mexico
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Sierra Madres Mountains
  • U.S./Mexican border
  • Rio Grande River
  • Chihuahuan desert (See resource map)
  • The states the migration passes through:
  • The cities Dr. Calvert names (Monterrey, Mexico City, etc.)

4) Reflect in Science Journals: Ask, If you could go to Mexico to observe the migration, where on the map would you choose to go? Why would this place be important?

5) Inquiry Strategies: Ask, How Do We Know?
Remind students that Dr. Calvert's understanding about the migration pathway is based on observations. Brainstorm: what barriers might get in the way of collecting this information? To start the discussion, point out how few reports are on the Journey North map below the U.S. border. Make a list. (Language barriers; lack of communication between scientists and people of different countries; socioeconomic differences; desert, mountains, remoteness of the region; the challenges of making and collecting ANY migration observations.)

Materials and Links


Blank map Mexico


Satellite image
(without migration pathway labeled)


Satellite image
(with migration pathway labeled)

<< Back to: "Migration Through Mexico--A Navigation Mystery"

© 1997 – 2024 Journey North. All rights reserved.