A Caterpillar Caper – Case of the Missing Monarch!

A WebQuest for grades k-1 Science

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

· There was a young caterpillar by the name of Mr. McMonarch who was missing from the garden. He was lost in the city and was looking for a suitable home.

· The caterpillar searched high and low. At least as high as he could crawl.

· He was frightened. He crawled this way and that way and got very confused.

· He was looking for a place to call his cocoon.

· Today you will become a garden detective and help the caterpillar solve his problem.

Goal: You are trying to find a garden home for a monarch caterpillar.

The Task

It is your job to investigate suitable habitats for butterflies, especially for Mr. Mc Monarch.
You must find out the types of plants that Mr. Mc Monarch would love to eat. You can read stories like the The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
You must design a garden showing plants and flowers that Mr. McMonarch would enjoy for lunch. You can download pictures or draw your own picture.

· A detective must write a report after his investigation is finished. Please write your report on how you found Mr. Mc Monarch a suitable habitat. What else did you uncover in your investigation?

· You will need a magnifying glass, paper, pencils, and of course, a hat of your own design.

· You will work in a group as an investigative team.

Goal: You will take on the role of garden detective.

The Process

· Get ready to go outside and investigate the schoolyard. Put on your garden detective hat and get your magnifying glass ready – where is Mr. Mc Monarch?

· You will investigate the outdoors to finds signs of caterpillars. Use your magnifying glass and check out some of the plants and see if you see any signs of Mr. Mc Monarch? Use your checklist and sketch pad to report your findings.

· You will check out the following web sites to help you complete your investigation and to write your report.

· Go to http://www.butterflyhouse.org/gardening.html

· Go to http://www.milkweedcafe.com

· Go to http://www.glynn.k12.ga.us/GLY/Garden/butterfly.garden.html

· Go to www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/misc/ef006.htm

· Go to http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/DG6711e.html

· After you and your fellow detectives have gathered your information – you will decide which picture your detective team will include in the report.

· You and the group will compile your report.

· Page 1 = cover sheet with a colorful garden scene.

· Page 2 = pictures of gardens that would attract butterflies.

· Page 3 = Findings of the outside investigation.

· Page 4 = Data gathered about how to attract butterflies to a garden. ( Such as favorite flowers, etc.)

· Page 5 = The teams final discovery that solved the mystery of the Case of the Missing Monarch.

Goal: You will complete your project by compiling a report. You will present your findings to the chief detective ( the teacher) and your co – detectives ( the class).

Resources

· Resources that will prove to be helpful include web sites like: http://www.geocities.com/mgkennedy/ and http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarten/kinder.htm .

· A digital camera would be helpful to record student activities and provide the students with a copy for for their reports.

· Local gardens, botanists, and garden club members.

Goal: This information will be helpful to you in facilitating the students to complete their projects.

Evaluation

Completed report with all components present = 5 points ( cover sheet, pictures of gardens, findings of outside investigations ,data gathered on butterfly gardens, and the final page showing the solving of the mystery of the missing caterpillar.)
Oral report = 5 points ( presentation, eye contact, good speaking voice, animated, organized)

Goal: Students will be informed about the grading process.

Conclusion

The students have learned to solve a problem through solving a simple mystery through various activities. Investigating, recording data, and sharing their reports.

The next step would be to actually design a butterfly garden and have the children put their new learned facts to work.

The children would then raise some Monarch butterflies to learn about their life cycle.

The children will then release them in their newly planted butterfly garden -then sit back and enjoy a job well done.

Click here to get a Resource List for gardens.