Monarch Butterfly Habitat: Science Lesson
Lesson Plan
1 hour 20 minutesGradesK, 1, 2Science
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Written by Elaine Makarevich
About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn how climate change affects the habitat of monarch butterflies.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students view and discuss artwork that depicts habitats.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students learn about the elements of a habitat and how climate change affects the monarch butterfly’s habitat.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students create artwork to raise awareness of the plight of the monarch butterfly.
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Everything you need to teach it
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Positives
- This lesson features visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile learning modalities to support a wide variety of young learners.
- This lesson supports the understanding that all humans can make a difference.
- Students will develop a strong connection to self and others as they explore the plight of the monarch butterfly through art.
- Students will have an opportunity to share what they learned with the school community via their artwork.
- This lesson supports vocabulary development.
Additional Prerequisites
- Teachers will need to gather art materials before the lesson. Suggested art materials include pencils, crayons, colored pencils, watercolor paints, and drawing paper.
- Obtain a copy of the book, Butterflies Belong Here by Deborah Hopkinson before teaching the lesson. Pre-read the text and choose the sections of the nonfiction pages that fit your students' needs. Alternatively, use another text about the relationship between monarchs and milkweed and the problems facing both species.
- Before teaching this lesson, the teacher may want to review the article Migratory Monarch Butterfly Now Endangered.
Differentiation
- Students can share their feelings with the class, small groups, or partners after viewing Jill Pelto's artwork.
- Students can work in pairs or teams to complete the art activity.
- To extend student learning, create a Monarch Waystation, like the class in the book did, or go on a nature walk and look for milkweed, monarchs, and other butterflies.
From the scientist review
In this lesson, students create artwork on the impact of climate change on monarch butterflies and their habitats. The activity will deepen their knowledge of ways to communicate climate change impacts on biodiversity using art. All materials have been thoroughly reviewed and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.
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About the teacher writer
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Elaine Makarevich
Chief Outreach Officer
Elaine Makarevich, M.Ed., is SubjectToClimate's Chief Outreach Officer. She has over 30 years of experience teaching K–6 across all subjects and holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.Ed. from East Stroudsburg University and Centenary University, along with Supervisor and Gifted Education certifications. Outside of work, she loves gardening — flowers, vegetables, and everything in between.
