Mapping Monarch Migration

Name of Project: Mapping Monarch Migration Lesson
Classroom, School: Expo Elementary School, 1st grade
Cooperating teacher: Ulla Tervo-Desnick
Grade Level: 1st grade
Presenter's Name: Alyssa Baguss
Subject and Curricular Link: Mapping, geography, science

Overview of Project

We will be learning about the Monarch butterfly's migratory journey in orth America. We will be learning about map making and will be creating our own large map of North America. The second part of the lesson will be for each student to create their own butterfly to place on our map to show where the Monarch butterflies travel each year.

Essential Question(s)

MAPS:

1. What is a map?
2. Why are maps used?
3. What types of maps are there?
4. What type of symbols do you see on all maps?

MONARCH BUTTERFLIES:

1. What is migration?
2. Why do monarchs migrate?
3. How far do they travel?
4. How do they know where to go?

ART:

1. What is Symmetry?
2. What is Pattern?
3. What is subtractive drawing?

Prior Knowledge

Mapping: what it is and how to create Monarchs: migratory journey - why, where, how Art Project: How to use the tools, steps we will take to make the butterfly and map

Examples of student or artist work

I will have an example to show made by a child of similar age.

Assessment

Have students sit on carpet near map. Review what we created: Map: what are we showing and how Butterflies: pattern, symmetry, subtractive drawing Go around the circle and say one thing you liked about this project. Go around again and say one thing you thought was hard about this project.

Materials

Large piece of paper for map Washable markers Examples of maps Photos of monarch butterflies Book to read: "Gotta Go, Gotta Go." Example of student work done by similar aged student Poster paper Crayons Black and white tempera paint Scratch tool - skewers Q tips

Procedures

9:30 - 10:05

1. Discuss project - overview - have students sit in a circle on the carpet Monarch migration Creating a map Making butterflies
2. Read book about monarch travel: "Gotta Go, Gotta Go"
3. Discuss Monarch migration Show map in book of where they travel Discuss how far they travel (miles) and how long it takes them Why do the Monarchs go this far? Why wouldn't they stay in Minnesota for the winter?
4. Discuss mapping What is a map? What type of map will we be making? What do maps show us? What will we be showing on our map? What type of symbols do you see on all maps? What could we show on a map that has to do with Monarch butterflies? Do butterflies use maps?
5. Label the map: countries, oceans, title, compass rose, water and land, where we are, and where the butterflies travel. Ask students to use descriptive words to describe where labels should be, ie: "Canada is North of the United States" Have students come up and label map with markers.
6. Discuss Monarch Butterfly Art Project overview - steps we will take: coloring, scratch art, sticking to map. Monarch Colors Orange and black are warning colors: "don't eat me, I don't taste very good!"
7. Discuss Butterfly project - overview of steps: color, scratch, display on map.
8. Execute butterfly first step of project (coloring) Students will color butterfly form on paper and cut out - Have students return to seat and begin coloring Write your name on the back! I will paint with tempera and let dry for the second half of the project.

11:05 - 11:30

1. Discuss Butterfly project - overview of steps that we will complete today - students sit on carpet. Discuss:
2. Pattern What is pattern? Do you see any in this room? On your clothing? Where do you see pattern on the butterfly? How can you show pattern on your scratch art butterfly?
3. Symmetry What is symmetry? Mirroring - same on each side Where do you see symmetry in the butterfly? Do our bodies have symmetry? How can you make symmetry on you scratch art butterfly?
4. Discuss subtractive drawing What does it mean to subtract? What does it mean to add? If we are scratching the black off of our butterflies, are we subtracting or adding?
5. Scratch art Demonstrate on model butterfly Demonstrate tool use:
6. Proper pressure
7. Leaving behind black areas on wings and body of butterfly
8. White spots Demonstrate use of q-tip and white tempera paint Show photo of monarch and it's white spots
9. Pass out scratch tools and execute project Tape to map to show travel When finished add tape to back of butterfly and tape to a path on the map. Sign the map!