Monarch Mysteries in First Grade

The mysteries of the monarch butterfly have come to first grade!  Nearly two weeks ago, a package arrived filled with small containers that were each housing two or three tiny monarch caterpillars.  The students examined the tiny creatures with magnifying glasses and began asking questions.  "What is that green goop?"  "Why are they so tiny?" "Why do they have so many antennae?" And their research was underway. The questions and wonderings continue and are recorded. We also made a list of the things that the students 'knew' about monarchs after the caterpillars first arrived. We are discovering some answers and new information already!

Each day the students observe the changes taking place, writing about what they see and drawing detailed pictures that will become pages in a book at the conclusion of our study.  These recordings provide opportunities for the students to fully engage in the growth and development of the monarchs first hand.  They use kid writing to record their thoughts and they are fine tuning their observational skills as they draw what they see.

Learning that the caterpillars only eat milkweed, we went on a search to find some on the campus in order to satisfy the appetites of these rapidly growing larvae.  We were fortunate to find some common milkweed near the short stable by the Meeting House. Watch this video on the importance of the milkweed.

After collecting the milkweed for the caterpillars we had a chance to dissect some milkweed pods and see what was hidden inside.  Do you know what was there?  Seeds! Lots of seeds!  The students were thrilled to take their seeds home in hopes of planting them and growing more milkweed for the monarchs!

The changes taking place are magical and every morning the students arrive and go right to the boxes to see what is happening with the caterpillars and are thrilled and excited to see that many have gone into the j-stage and then become beautiful green chrysalises.  Check out this site to see the miracles that the students are witnessing.

We can't wait to see what's ahead!! Stay tuned and enjoy our slideshow!

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