To Monarch Migration Journals: Fall | Winter |Spring
 

Teaching Suggestions
Reading and Reflecting on Observation Reports from Citizen Scientists

How to Use the Journal Page in Your Classroom
Take advantage of the observation reports that other student and adult citizen scientists have submitted. Students can use the journal page (right) to collect information from the reports and add their thoughts, discoveries, calculations, predictions, and questions. Here are some core questions:

  • What scientific data can we collect from each report? How can we tell facts from opinions?
  • Which reports have the details we need to document monarch migration rates? What information is missing?
  • What questions would we like to ask these citizen scientists?

1. Find an interesting migration sighting
Ask each student to select a sighting that was submitted by a citizen scientist. You'll find a collection of sightings in each week's migration update. Here are quick links to the weekly collections, on a page that you can print or display:

Aug. 27 Sep. 24 (not done) Oct. 22
Sep. 3 Oct. 1 (not done) Oct. 29
Sep. 10 Oct. 8 Nov. 5
Sep. 17 Oct. 15  

You can also find all observations as raw data in the sightings database and on the migration maps.

2. Have each student use the journal page to record an excerpt and collect his or her thoughts about the sighting. Students should do this:

  • Record the date, location of observation (town/state/province), and global address (latitude and longitude).
  • Use the map to mark the location of the sighting.
  • Revisit the observation report. Collect information and data to comment on; copy or paraphrase excerpts.
  • Write about their discoveries, questions, predictions, personal connections, and opinions.

3. Share these reflections in small groups or as a class.

4. Build a journal throughout the season. Encourage students to add these completed pages to their journals.

Assessment note:
You and students can also use the journal pages to assess their emerging understanding. Read student reflections together and discuss their thinking. Or collect the booklet or pages periodically and use Post-it Notes for your comments.

Journal Page
Observation Reports from Citizen Scientists

 

 


Try This!
Check out "The Data Hunt Challenge" to help students read and explore observation reports.