Mariposa Monarca en primer (1º) grado (Monarch Butterfly in first (1st) grade)

¡Bienvenidos familia, amigas, y amigos! Greetings! To integrate with their social studies unit on México and the journey of the monarch butterflies, the first graders have been learning the Spanish vocabulary for the metamorphosis stages of a butterfly and its characteristics. We first began by learning the words for the life-cycle and playing many games to help reinforce the vocabulary.

metamorfosis – metamorphosis

huevo – egg

oruga – caterpillar

crisálida – chrysalis

adulta – adult

mariposa monarca – monarch butterfly

algondoncillo - milkweed

We then learned the terms for the characteristics of the mariposa.

cabeza – head

tórax – thorax

abdomen - abdomen

ojos compuestos – compound eyes

probóscides – proboscis

antenas - antennae

patas – legs

alas – wings

The first graders had a fabulous time playing many rounds of matamoscas (fly swatters), Bingo, and ¿Qué falta? (What’s missing?). These games were just a few of the fun ways that got everyone practicing their memory skills as well as using their hands, improving fine motor skills… and vocabulary! The first graders were having fun and learning at the same time! 

And, to provide the opportunity for gross-motor movement the students were introduced to a song and invited to dance as they watched the video in English and in Spanish. The song is titled, “Going Down to Mexico” by Lucas Miller and the Spanish version is sung by Sue Young, Rumbo a México.

ENGLISH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_1xC_nTDCY 

Monarch Butterfly Song: migration to Mexico & life cycle [3:07]

SPANISH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqa8-kVwO4M

Canción de la mariposa monarca: Sue Young sings Spanish version of Lucas Miller’s monarch song [3:09]

To integrate reading and writing of the newly introduced vocabulary, the students played with los matamoscas using the flashcards with the written word versus the illustration. Additionally, each learner got the change to complete a worksheet that required him or her to label the parts of the butterfly.