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What do you see happening here?
What words can you use to describe it?
What happens first?  Next? Last?
What questions do you have?

Parents: There are several interesting videos that can be found by following this link.

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The caterpillar to chrysalis transformation in real time

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Watch a monarch caterpillar shed its skin to reveal the chrysalis forming within it. YouTuber Allen Miller filmed this video in real time, six minutes that showcase the larva (caterpillar) to pupa (chrysalis) transformation. Details from Monarch Lab: Just before they pupate, monarch larvae spin

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Before monarch butterfly conservation became a focus in Mexico, the monarchs that gather in the mountainous forests of Michoacán were considered a plague or an infestation.

Words to know:

migration

conservation

infestation

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Before monarch butterfly conservation became a focus in Mexico, the monarchs that gather in the mountainous forests of Michoacán were considered a plague or an infestation. Second generation Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve sanctuary guide Pedro Martinez describes how this perspective has changed over the decades and, in the face of the monarch's endangered status, how he hopes for their health for future generations.

Monarchs winter in these pine and oyamel fir forests after migrating up to 4,500 km (3,000 miles) from Canada and the United States over multiple generations, facing habitat loss, climate events, agricultural chemical use, and other threats. Since the Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca's opening in 1980, the swarms have become a protected and beloved part of Mexico's natural wonders.

In March 2018 news, the annual population census of monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico is down by 14.8% from the previous winter:

Speaking at a news conference in Mexico City, officials said nine colonies of monarch butterflies had been recorded in Mexico in the 2017/2018 winter months, down from 13 last year... In 1996/97 the butterflies could be found in about 18 hectares of forest in the states of Mexico and Michoacán. This past winter, only 2.48 hectares had monarch colonies.

To learn more about helping the monarchs, pair How to Raise Monarch Butterflies: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids with this video: How to Create Your Own Monarch Butterfly Rest Stop. Plus, learn more with Flight of the Butterflies on Amazon, on Netflix, or at your local science museum.

Related videos on this site: Visiting the Reserva de la Biósfera Santuario Mariposa Monarca, Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis in HD, and more videos about Mexico.

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Go Into the Heart of a Kaleidoscope of Monarch Butterflies

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Before monarch butterfly conservation became a focus in Mexico, the monarchs that gather in the mountainous forests of Michoacán were considered a plague or an infestation. Second generation Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve sanctuary guide Pedro Martinez describes how this perspective has changed

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Enjoy our collection of butterfly nature videos and other animal videos!

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What surprising facts did you learn from this video?
What do you think about these new ideas?

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Among living things, the color blue is oddly rare. Blue rocks, blue sky, blue water, sure. But blue animals? They are few and far between. And the ones that do make blue? They make it in some very strange and special ways compared to other colors. In this video, we'll look at some very cool butterflies to help us learn how living things make blue, and why this beautiful hue is so rare in nature.

Joe Hanson talks with Smithsonian Curator of Lepidoptera Bob Robbins at the National Museum of Natural History to find out how butterflies use light to communicate, how blue animals are almost always not blue, and what exceptional creature has evolved a blue pigment. Come for the science. Stay for the joke at the very end.

Next: Go inside an ice cave to see nature's most beautiful blue.

Plus, related listening on NPR: How Animals Hacked The Rainbow And Got Stumped On Blue and more blue morpho butterfly videos on this site: Zoom into a Blue Morpho Butterfly, blue morphos emerge from their chrysalises, and What Gives the Morpho Butterfly Its Magnificent Blue?

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Among living things, the color blue is oddly rare. Blue rocks, blue sky, blue water, sure. But blue animals? They are few and far between. And the ones that do make blue? They make it in some very strange and special ways compared to other colors.

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Witnessing butterflies emerge at the California Academy of Sciences

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Within the California Academy of Sciences' rainforest exhibit, butterflies and moths emerge from their chrysalis and cocoons in a specially designed emergence display. Biologist Tim Wong shows how they set up the climate-controlled viewing chamber with 100-200 butterflies per week-65 different speci

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Story Time: Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpiller

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Story Time: Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpiller

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Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpillar | Read-Along Pete thinks he found a new best friend. But when his caterpillar goes missing, Pete has to find out what happened to his new friend. Pete is in for one wild surprise at the end!

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Visit the butterfly haven in the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. It's near the zoo too!

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First Flight Butterfly Release
Daily | 2pm

One walk through the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is all you need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Experience over 40 species of exotic high-flying butterflies and several stunning bird species from the Southern hemisphere in our 2,700 square-foot greenhouse. Complete with serene pools of water, flowers, tropical trees and 1,000 butterflies, it always feels like summer in the Butterfly Haven.

Don't forget to join us for our daily First Flight Butterfly Release. Learn about the lifecycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, then watch as newly-emerged butterflies and moths take flight for the very first time. Access to the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven and the First Flight Butterfly Release are included with admission.

Check out the video below to explore the Butterfly Haven.

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One walk through the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is all you need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Experience over 40 species of exotic high-flying butterflies and several stunning bird species from the Southern hemisphere in our 2,700 square-foot greenhouse.

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Why is the Very Hungry Caterpillar so Dang Hungry?

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Why is the Very Hungry Caterpillar so Dang Hungry?

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Why Is The Very Hungry Caterpillar So Dang Hungry?

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Monarchs are ravenous for milkweed. California pipevine swallowtail caterpillars want lots of pipevine. Why are these very hungry caterpillars so hungry? "Caterpillars have to store up incredible reserves of proteins," said Carol Boggs, an ecologist at the University of South Carolina. "Nectar d

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Plant list for a butterfly garden in Illinois

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These cheerful butterfly prints start with a simple Styrofoam plate and a free template. Two printmaking options mean you already have what you need to get started today!

The butterfly printing plate....

The backbone of this project is the printing plate. A seven inch (dessert size) plate works perfectly with these free templates. These butterfly silhouettes will perfectly fill the flat surface of a plate this size. Of course if you have bigger plates or even Styrofoam deli trays they will work too but will create slightly more waste.

Trace the template and cut out the butterfly shape- quick and easy.

Grab the template here....

If you'd like to get the PDF version of this printable template use the turquoise subscribe box below. You'll get a weekly newsletter about what's new at KTC and a subscriber only password to my Resource Library. All of my printable resources, including this butter fly template, are there in easy to print PDF form.

Get started....

Now is the time to add some personality to your butterfly silhouette. Use a dull pencil to carve designs into your butterfly. This is a great time to talk about the idea of symmetry. Check out this post for a more complete run down on the concept of symmetry plus a free printable handout.

Look at pictures of butterflies whether online or in books and notice the types of shapes and patterns that are common in butterflies.

Printing option #1, marker prints....

Marker prints are a super easy, instant gratification, you already have all the supplies kind of printmaking. You've already got the printing plate ready. Use washable markers, think Crayola, Color the raised areas of your Styrofoam plate. Use a damp paper towel to slightly dampen a piece of white paper. Press on top of printing plate. The water on the paper will help the marker transfer from the printing plate to the paper leaving behind butterfly prints that are bright and beautiful and a printing plate that can be used over and over.

Check out this post on marker prints for even more information on how this process will work for your butterfly prints.

Printing option number two....

Creating a colorful background is optional for this printmaking method but it's an easy way to make a print made with plain black ink really "pop." This background was made by coloring patches of color with oil pastels.

Use a printmaking brayer (that's fancy for roller) to roll your printing plate with black printing ink. I would imagine you could use black paint for this step too but I have not tried it. Smooth it all over with the pads of your fingers or the back of a spoon.

Peel the paper back to reveal bold butterfly prints. Ink your plate and print again and again.
Check out this post to see how this printmaking method can be used another way!
Finishing touches for your butterfly prints....

Cut them out, layer them, create a background for them. I can imagine a huge installment of these fluttering down a hallway or gracing a window!

If you enjoyed this these butterfly prints please consider sharing this post on your favorite social media channel.

Every single share helps me to bring you more fun projects and free printables!

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Butterfly Prints- Two Cheerful Printmaking Ideas - The Kitchen Table Classroom

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These cheerful butterfly prints start with a simple Styrofoam plate & a free template. Two options mean you already have what you need to get started today! Marker prints using only washable markers or roll your printing plate with black ink. Either method allows you to make as many butterfly prints as you want!

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Map of the Monarch Butterfly Migration Journey

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Map of the Monarch Butterfly Migration Journey

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An adaptation of this project for younger children is to tape the image on the outside of a glass window or door and allow them to trace/color it in with dry erase markers.

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I love creating butterfly art this time of year. This Reggio inspired butterfly art project for kids is great for ages 4 and up. In case your unfamiliar with the Reggio approach to learning, here is a good Reggio starting point. We used an old box frame found at a thrift store and paint markers to create beautiful butterfly art for my daughter's room. My girls are too young for the paint markers but they were able to help with the collage we made for the background. Here's how we did it.

First, I downloaded a pretty image of a butterfly from butterflyutopia.com. I placed it between the clear plastic of the frame and the cardboard insert. I traced the butterfly with different paint markers. Paint markers are so much fun! I've used them for tons of projects, including shrinky dinks, vases and washer necklaces. Though, they are pretty stinky, so it's best to use them outside where there is lots of ventilation. This project can be done with sharpies as well.

Kids LOVE to trace real objects. I used to do this all the time when I taught kindergarten, using transparency paper. It was such a big hit, especially when we studied penguins. The kids felt so empowered when their drawings looked realistic. It was a real confidence booster, especially for those kids who have a harder time with free hand drawing. I used this technique for self portrait shadow boxes, my all time favorite art project for kids.

Once I completed painting in the butterfly, Gigi helped me collage the cardboard insert with blue, white and black tissue paper shapes. These can be found at most party stores and craft supply stores. You can easily cut your own from large tissue paper as well. These were precut. She glued the shapes to the cardboard using a paintbrush and glue mixed with a little bit of water. Gigi is not three yet, so she was done after a few shapes. I helped fill the whole background. Older kids will have more patience with this step. You could also just cover the cardboard with one big piece of tissue paper or even color it. After drying, simply place the plastic back over the cardboard and your butterfly art is complete. We love ours. Gigi is super proud of it and claims she made the butterfly too. Someday she will. These kids grow up so fast. Have fun!

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I love creating butterfly art this time of year. This Reggio inspired butterfly art project for kids is great for ages 4 and up. In case your unfamiliar with the Reggio approach to learning, here is a good Reggio starting point....

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My Very Hungry Caterpillar AR on the App Store

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Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about My Very Hungry Caterpillar AR. Download My Very Hungry Caterpillar AR and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

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Why did the little boy throw butter out the window? He wanted to see the butterfly! OK...that's an old joke. You've probably heard it many times. But who doesn't like to see butterflies?

Butterflies fascinate many people. One reason is the miraculous transformation they go through. They start as caterpillars. Then, through an amazing process, they turn into beautiful butterflies.

One of the joys of sunny summer days is watching butterflies float around the backyard. As they from flower to flower, they seem so gentle. Would you believe, though, that butterflies can actually fly incredible distances?

One butterfly species- the Monarch butterfly -travels great distances every year. It does so to survive during the winter. Summer in North America is usually nice and warm. But Monarch butterflies can't survive the cold winters of most parts of the United States.

Each year around October, Monarch butterflies south and west. They do so to find warmer weather. Monarch butterflies from the Eastern United States travel to Mexico. Those that live west of the Rocky Mountains head to California.

Amazingly, Monarch butterflies travel to the same destinations every year. How long is the trip? For some Monarch butterflies, the journey can be as long as 2,000 miles. It could take up to two months to complete. Isn't it cool that something so beautiful and could travel so far?

The story doesn't end there, though. It just gets better. The life span of Monarch butterflies is fairly short (6-8 weeks). That means it's different generations that make the same trips each year.

Most do not . That's because their life spans are not long enough. Only Monarch butterflies born in September and October live long enough to . The butterflies that travel to Mexico and California have children and sometimes grandchildren there. It's those children and grandchildren that make the return trip in the spring.

How do they do it? Scientists believe they use a system called a time-adjusted sun compass. In other words, they follow the sun. Because the sun is always moving, though, this isn't as easy as it sounds.

Monarch butterflies have a 24-hour internal clock that is part of their . This part of the system tells the butterflies what time of day it is. Depending upon the time of day, the butterflies can then tell where the sun should be.

The butterflies then use special photoreceptors inside their eyes to follow the angle of the sun. Incredibly, Monarch butterflies can pass on these directions to their children. Isn't WONDERful?

NGSS.LS1.A, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1

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Why did the little boy throw butter out the window? Find out today in Wonderopolis!

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How to Create Your Own Monarch Butterfly Rest Stop

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How to Create Your Own Monarch Butterfly Rest Stop

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Creating your own Monarch Butterfly rest stop - a common milkweed and nectar plant-filled garden that is free of pesticides and herbicides - can help make a huge impact on the rapid decline of Monarch butterfly populations by providing a safe haven for Monarchs to feed, rest, or lay their eggs. From National Geographic, learn how we can each contribute to battling the iconic Monarch's widespread habitat loss.

"I might just plant my one Monarch waystation, which is just a raindrop, but then if my neighbor sees it, and then another neighbor sees it, and then we start to grow them, then it becomes something significant."

Visit your local plant nurseries and ask for common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). If they don't have it, order from Local Harvest, the Seattle Seed Co, these seed suppliers, or Amazon. Bonus idea: give away Milkweed seeds as party favors at your next birthday party.

Related watching: The Magnificent Monarchs, Wonders of Life: Monarch Butterflies, and The Hidden Beauty of Pollination.

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How to Create Your Own Monarch Butterfly Rest Stop

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Creating your own Monarch Butterfly rest stop -- a common milkweed and nectar plant-filled garden that is free of pesticides and herbicides -- can help make a huge impact on the rapid decline of Monarch butterfly populations by providing a safe haven for Monarchs to feed, rest, or lay their eggs.

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The Hidden Beauty of Pollination. You've seen this video before. It was a part of Louie Schwartzberg's TED Talk in 2011, but frankly, it's so amazing that it's worth watching and posting again on its own!

This video was shown at the TED conference in 2011, with scenes from "Wings of Life," a film about the threat to essential pollinators that produce over a third of the food we eat. The seductive love dance between flowers and pollinators sustains the fabric of life and is the mystical keystone event where the animal and plant worlds intersect that make the world go round.

via Boing Boing.

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The Hidden Beauty of Pollination. You've seen this video before. It was a part of Louie Schwartzberg's TED Talk in 2011, but frankly, it's so amazing that it's worth watching and posting again on its own! This video was shown at the TED conference in 2011, with scenes fro

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Story Time: Pinkalicious and the Little Butterfly

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Story Time: Pinkalicious and the Little Butterfly

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Children's Books: Pinkalicious and the Little Butterfly Read Aloud Become a Supporter: https://www.patreon.com/storybooknanny Support the Author by purchasing the book here: http://amzn.to/2kKSbO4 Join Me on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/StorybookNanny/ The Pinkalicious children's books series continues with Pinkalicious and the Little Butterfly.

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Monarch Butterflies Get Tiny Radio Trackers

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Monarch Butterflies Get Tiny Radio Trackers

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Why might scientists want to know where the butterflies fly to?

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How might we better understand the epic multi-generational migration of the monarch butterfly? National Geographic Emerging Explorer Martin Wikelski and monarch butterfly expert Chip Taylor are hoping to learn more about the monarchs' roundtrip journey - from Mexico in the winter up to Canada and the northeastern United States and back - by gently attaching .007 ounce electronic tags onto their tiny, delicate bodies.

"Butterflies are endangered. The problem is that they have only few habitat places. If those areas are destroyed, then there are no monarch butterflies anymore. They move all year and we see them at some point, but then they're gone and we don't know where they go." By having a better grasp on where the monarchs travel, Wikelski and conservationists can advocate to protect the butterflies' habitats and hopefully help the species bounce back.

Saving a species from extinction is more than enough reason to carry out his work, but as Wikelski points out, humans need butterflies too. "Butterflies are part of our pollinators, and most of what we eat depends on pollinators. Pollinators have an ecosystem service value of billions of dollars every year. If we start losing them, then this is really dangerous."

Be sure to read more about how monarchs migrate here and here, as well as more about Wikelski's tracking work in the video notes.

Next: See a Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis in HD, visit a butterfly sanctuary in Mexico, and learn how to create your own monarch butterfly rest stop.

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Monarch Butterflies Get Tiny Radio Trackers

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How might we better understand the epic multi-generational migration of the monarch butterfly? National Geographic Emerging Explorer Martin Wikelski and monarch butterfly expert Chip Taylor are hoping to learn more about the monarchs' roundtrip journey -- from Mexico in the winter up to Canada and t

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A visit to Blue Willow Butterfly Conservatory left Abby feeling quite whimsical. She wanted wings so she could flutter about all day amid the blossoms and trickling water.

What would it feel like to be so free? Could she become one?

With the help of a few classmates her wish came true and for a brief half hour she was transformed.

"I am a butterfly with beautiful wings and nice colors. I flap my wings all day and fly on flowers."

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A visit to Blue Willow Butterfly Conservatory left Abby feeling quite whimsical. She wanted wings so she could flutter about all day amid the blossoms and trickling water. What would it feel like to be so free? Could she become one?

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Despite their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the world's most wondrous animals. Their beauty, seemingly miraculous metamorphosis, and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations.

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Butterfly Life Cycle Sequence Strips Freebie.pdf

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A video read aloud of the book, the butterfly.

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via YouTube Capture Quiet story time for young children and preschoolers. Read along with favorite books for children.

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You've seen caterpillars, and you've seen butterflies. But do you know how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly? Jessi explains the wonder of metamorphosis! ---------- Like SciShow? Want to help support us, and also get things to put on your walls, cover your torso and hold your liquids?