Animal Migration Paired Worksheet
Paired Reading Informational Text
Animal Migration Journeys
Name:
Date:
Directions: Read both passages carefully. Pay close attention to why animals travel, how far they go, and how they navigate. When finished, flip to the back to complete the comparison organizers.
1
Migrating Animals
Overview
1
When the weather changes, some animals and insects move to find a better place to live. The amazing journey these animals and insects take is called “migration.” Some are in search of food or water. Others find themselves feeling uncomfortable and go in search of better weather.
2
Migrating animals travel in different ways. Some will go very far, traveling for months to get where they are going. The tiny monarch butterfly travels up to 3,000 miles! Humpback whales travel as far as 5,000 miles one way! Other animals do not go nearly as far. Little brown bats migrate only about 500 miles.
3
Migrating animals go in different directions. Some animals, like the earthworm, travel up and down. Earthworms crawl from deep in the dirt up to the surface. Most migrating animals, like birds and butterflies, travel across.
4
One of the most surprising things about migrating animals is that they know exactly where to go. And they do not have a guide or a map! Scientists think these animals use the sun and the stars to help guide them.
Key Focus: Explains the broad concept of migration across multiple species, including distance, direction, and reasons for travel.
2
The Monarch Butterfly's Amazing Migration
Deep Dive
1
Each September, monarch butterflies take an important journey. These beautiful orange and black butterflies migrate farther than any other butterfly. The monarchs that live west of the Rocky Mountains head to California. Those that live east of the Rockies go all the way to Mexico. For some, this trip is 3,000 miles long! It can take up to two months to complete the trip.
2
One of the most amazing things about their trip is that they have never been to Mexico. How do they know the way? Monarchs, like other migrating animals, use the sun to help them. Scientists also think their antennae help these butterflies know which way to go.
3
Finally, when they get to Mexico, the butterflies go to the forests. They hang close together in the trees for the winter, keeping each other warm. There, monarchs sleep most of the day and only wake to eat or drink. Once the winter is over, in late February, they head home.
Photo Spotlight: Monarchs cluster closely together by the thousands on tree branches in Mexico to shelter from cold winter winds.
4
Next September, a new group of monarchs will head to Mexico to rest on those very same trees.
Key Focus: Follows the specific journey, route, winter resting behavior, and navigation of a single insect species.
Turn over for graphic organizers Page 1 of 2 • Reading Passages
Graphic Organizers
Compare & Contrast: Paired Text Analysis
Side 2 • Evidence Collection
Part 1
Text Evidence T-Chart
Record specific facts from each text
Text 1: Migrating Animals
Text 2: The Monarch's Amazing Migration
1. Why do animals migrate? (Reasons / Causes)
2. How far and in what directions do they travel?
3. How do they find their way without maps?
Part 2
Venn Diagram Comparison
Compare unique details and shared points
Text 1 Only
General Migration Facts
Only in Text 1
Both Texts
Shared Ideas & Similarities
Found in Both Texts
Text 2 Only
Monarch Butterfly Specifics
Only in Text 2
Check: Did you cite details from both passages? Page 2 of 2 • Student Organizers
