Monarchs
Using the activities within the monarch butterfly toolkit, students will learn how everyday food choices can impact this incredible species, their habitat, and their legendary migration. These resources are geared towards students in grades 3-5.
Background resources for educators
This resource guide and interactive classroom presentation are designed to give you all the information you need to teach your students about monarchs and the impacts of food production and consumption. These resources provide fun monarch facts, and information on why they matter, what threats they face, what WWF is doing to help monarchs and their habitats, and what kids can do to help.
Learning activities
-
Lessons & activities
Don’t Treat Soil Like Dirt!
Students will conduct a science experiment to observe and record conditions of soil samples in order to understand its role in supporting biodiversity
Grade3-5SubjectsScience & STEMThemeWildlife & biodiversitySustainability & human impact -
Lessons & activities
The Great Monarch Migration
Students will familiarize themselves with geography and map creation by plotting the remarkable journey of monarchs.
Grade3-5SubjectsScience & STEMSocial studiesThemeWildlife & biodiversitySustainability & human impact -
Lessons & activities
How Much Water is in Your Lunch?
Students will comprehend the amount of resources, namely water, required to produce various food items by comparing data and creating a pictograph.
Grade3-5SubjectsMathThemeWildlife & biodiversitySustainability & human impact -
Lessons & activities
Flutters and Flowers
In this pollinator-themed twist on freeze tag, students will learn the importance of pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and bats on food availability around the world.
Grade3-5SubjectsPhysical educationThemeWildlife & biodiversityEcosystems & habitatsSustainability & human impact -
Lessons & activities
Eating Our Planet
Students will compose a creative letter to a future pen pal describing Earth's environmental health as a result of the impacts of food.
Grade3-5SubjectsEnglish language artsThemeWildlife & biodiversitySustainability & human impact -
Lessons & activities
Origami Butterfly Planters
After learning about monarchs' reliance on milkweed, students will build their very own planter to support monarchs along their long migration
Grade3-5SubjectsScience & STEMArts & craftsThemeWildlife & biodiversityEcosystems & habitatsSustainability & human impact -
Lessons & activities
Monarch Butterfly Rest Stop
Build a rest spot for monarch butterflies with this easy-to-make feeder.
GradePreK-23-5SubjectsArts & craftsThemeWildlife & biodiversitySustainability & human impact
Storybook: discover the monarch butterfly reserve in Mexico
Discover the magnificent monarch migration to the Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Mexico, with this short, illustrated storybook! When printing, select double-sided. Then cut along the dotted lines, placing pages in numerical order. Staple along the left side and enjoy reading! Take the learning further with the accompanying STEAM guide, filled with hands-on activity ideas for students to explore the amazing adaptations that help monarch butterflies survive their migration, why monarchs depend on specific habitats along the way, and how we can help protect monarchs and the places they need to thrive.
Printables
Posters
Files contain both posters. Select paper size below.
© Morgan Heim/Day's Edge Productions/WWF-US
© Claudio Contreras
Video and quizzes
Monarch Butterfly and Food Video Playlist
We've compiled the following playlist of monarch butterfly-related videos to complement the activities within the Monarch Butterfly Toolkit. For more educational videos and Q&A sessions with our experts, subscribe to WWF's Wild Classroom YouTube channel.
Test Your Knowledge
Check out Wild Classroom's All About Monarch Butterflies quiz on Kahoot!
