In this unit, students raise monarchs from eggs to butterflies. They observe monarch external anatomy and behavior at different stages of the life cycle . They study the growth of individual monarchs, focusing on growth rates and patterns of growth. They study variability in growth within the group of larvae the class raises. They create, use, and evaluate representations such as line graphs and frequency displays to learn about monarch growth. They also learn about monarch migration and tag the adult butterflies, which are then released.  

• External Anatomy: What are the structures and features of monarch egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly?

• Behavior: What is the range of behavior observed in monarch caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly?

• Life Cycle, Life History: What are the stages of the monarch life cycle? What is the timing of these stages? Where do monarch populations live during the seasons?

• Change Overtime, Growth Rate: How fast do monarch caterpillars grow?

• Variation in Size: Do all monarchs grow at the same rate?

• Mathematical Resources: How can aspects of monarch growth be measured? Which representational tools can be used to learn about patterns of monarch growth?

Classroom lessons were developed in the following areas:

• Monarch questions and studies

• Observing external anatomy and behavior

• Life cycle/ life history

• Growth rate

• Patterns of growth

• Variation in size and growth

These links lead to descriptions of tasks and activities, as well as descriptions of children's thinking on these topics.

• Rearing monarchs

• Sources for eggs, materials

• Web resources

• Tools