Monarch Migration Worksheet
Field Report: The Monarch Migration
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Mission: Recall Specific Facts and Details
Read Carefully
The Great Orange Journey
Every autumn, millions of Monarch butterflies perform one of nature’s most spectacular feats. These delicate insects travel up to 3,000 miles from southern Canada and the United States all the way to central Mexico. To survive the long journey, they ride warm air currents called thermals, sometimes reaching heights of 10,000 feet.
Monarchs are the only butterflies that migrate both north and south annually, just like birds. However, unlike birds, a single butterfly rarely completes the entire round trip. It takes four or five generations of Monarchs to finish the cycle back to Canada each spring. Interestingly, only the "super generation" born in the late summer lives for eight months to make the long trip south to Mexico.
During their migration, Monarchs rely heavily on milkweed plants. This is the only plant where they lay their eggs, and it is the primary food source for their caterpillars. The milkweed contains a chemical that makes the butterflies taste bitter to predators, like birds, which helps keep the Monarchs safe on their journey.
Observation Quiz
- How far can Monarch butterflies travel during their migration?
Up to 500 miles
Up to 1,500 miles
Up to 3,000 miles
Up to 10,000 miles
- Where do Monarch butterflies go to spend the winter months?
Southern Canada
Central Mexico
Northern United States
South America
- What are "thermals" as described in the passage?
Cold water currents used for resting
Warm air currents used to travel long distances
Chemicals found in milkweed plants
The four or five generations of butterflies
- Why is the milkweed plant important for Monarch caterpillars?
It is their only source of water during flight
It helps them blend in with the leaves of trees
It is the only plant where eggs are laid and the primary food source
It keeps the butterflies warm at 10,000 feet
- How many generations does it take to complete the cycle back to Canada each spring?
Only one generation
Two or three generations
Four or five generations
Eight different generations
Monarch Mystery Slides
Monarch Mystery
The Art of Recalling Facts & Details
Today's Mission
1
Define what it means to recall specific facts and details.
2
Identify strategies to find information within an informational text.
3
Complete a Field Report on the Great Monarch Migration.
"Recalling is more than just reading; it's about being a detective of information."
Spotting the Evidence
Numbers
Look for dates, distances, temperatures, or counts.
Locations
Look for specific countries, cities, or environments.
Why/How
Look for the "because" or the method things happen.
Practice Passage
"Monarchs are the only butterflies that migrate north and south annually, just like birds. To survive the long journey, they ride warm air currents called thermals, sometimes reaching heights of 10,000 feet."
Read twice.
Identify key terms.
Observation Question
Based on the text, what do Monarchs use to reach heights of 10,000 feet?
Answer: Thermals (Warm Air Currents)
Detective Tips
Keywords
Look for words from the question in the text.
Scan & Scope
Don't read word-for-word at first; hunt for details.
Verify
Always go back to the text to double-check.
Ready to Explore?
Head to your Field Report and see what secrets you can uncover about the Great Monarch Migration.
