Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 20, 2004
Field Notes from Mexico by Dr. Bill Calvert The Adventures of Dr. Brower and Grandson in Mexico Why Colonies Move: Seasonal History of a Monarch Colony
How Much Does a Bough-full of Butterflies Weigh? It's hard to imagine butterflies heavy enough to break a branch!
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)
Try This! How Many Paper Clips Bend a Branch? A monarch butterfly weighs a little less than a paper clip. How many paper clips can you string together to make a tree branch bend? Try it and let us know. How Much Space Does a Monarch Colony Need? Challenge Question #5 According to Dr. Calvert's estimate, the area of the Chincua colony now appears to be only one half hectare. Many butterflies were killed this winter due to the wind and cold. How large is a half a hectare? Measure the area on your school grounds. Then consider the challenge of conserving habitat for butterflies as they move during the season.
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Conservation Perspectives: A View from Mexico What Can Be Done to Stop Illegal Logging? In the first dispatch, Jordi notes that when reporters covered the story of monarchs killed by this winter's storm, they also had questions about illegal logging. After all, he says, "The organized and illegal extraction of trees is probably the primary threat to the habitat of the Monarch Butterfly in Mexico."
Monarch Butterflies and Giant Sequoias Shared Greatness and Plight Which are more important, people or butterflies? This is the question conservationists are often asked when attempting to save habitat for monarchs in Mexico. Here Jordi responds to that question with an historical perspective by way of comparing two natural wonders.
Tip for Teachers: Reading Strategies to the Rescue Today's first-hand accounts from Mexico provide compelling, primary-source material for students. The reading strategies at the link below can help even young students with difficult vocabulary and content: Life in the Monarch Sanctuary Region: Video Visit to the Molino While butterflies still sleep high in the mountains under a starry sky, people in the valley below are already stirring. It's only 5 am when the women begin to prepare for their hungry families. Many people grow their own food in this part of the world. They take their corn to the mill where it will be fresh-ground into masa for the day's tortillas. Come in from the cold morning, hear the comforting chug-a-lug of the mill's engine, and feel the warmth of community among these life-long neighbors. Tortillas From Scratch: Making Tortillas With Maria Luisa Welcome to our home! It is small but humble. I invite you to stay awhile and learn how a typical Mexican family, living in the country, makes tortillas. We must start with an understanding of the seasons in our state of Michoacan. These seasons determine the way we can grow corn and eventually prepare tortillas.
Discussion of Challenge Question #3 Movies or Butterflies?
Monarch Migration and National Science Standards The monarch migration study brings a wide range of U.S. National Science Education Standards to life. Browse this Standards chart by content area, then link directly to 125 activities and information that address your teaching goals. How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:
1. Address
an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-monarch@learner.org Copyright
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