Teacher and Student Resources
The Monarch Butterfly Manual
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Protección de la Fauna Mexicana A.C. (Profauna A.C.), a Mexican non-governmental organization, developed The Monarch Butterfly Manual, Royal Mail: A Manual for the Environmental Educator. This manual was developed for grades Pre-K through 12 and offers activities that promote conservation of the Monarch Butterfly. Each activity includes an overview, background information, and a sidebar that highlights the skills and concepts students will use, along with the learning objectives they will meet. You can download the entire guide, or each individual activity.
Download the entire publication: Monarch Butterfly Publication (PDF, 17.0 MB)
Activities from the Monarch Butterfly Royal Mail Publications
For Primary Teachers (Grades K-2)
- Do you know where the monarchs rest? (PDF, 653 KB)
- Magical changes (PDF, 539 KB)
- North/South (PDF, 916 KB)
For Intermediate Teachers (Grades 3-6)
- Daughters of the Sun (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Making decisions in the forest (PDF, 2.8 MB)
- Migration (PDF, 2.5 MB)
- Monarch caterpillar anatomy (PDF, 131 KB)
- Life cycle of the monarch butterfly (PDF, 191 KB)
For Middle School or High School Teacher (Grades 7-12)
- Making decisions in the forest (PDF, 2.8 MB)
- Migration (PDF, 2.5 MB)
- The Butterfly tree (PDF, 445 KB)
- Monarch anatomy (PDF, 202 KB)
- Monarch word find puzzle (PDF, 433 KB)
- Monarch crossword puzzle (PDF, 281 KB)
Monarch Lab - Monarchs in the Classroom
The Monarchs in the Classroom program began in 1991. Their beautiful website was developed by scientists and educators at the University of Minnesota. Their goals include providing current ecology, biology, research, and activities related to the understanding of monarch butterflies.
The teacher’s resources site and materials are used here with permission from Monarch Lab. They provide a wealth of activities for teachers grades K-12, links to current research, courses, lesson plans, and outreach materials.
Monarch Research Lesson Plans
For Primary Teachers (Grades K-2)
- Keeping a Monarch Calendar
- How much do caterpillars eat in one day?
- Do caterpillars eat more as they get bigger?
- Observing Fall Migrants
- Weather Conditions During the Fall Migration
- Milkweed Monitoring
- Weather Conditions During the Spring Migration
- What do monarch caterpillars eat?
- Where is my food?
- How does temperature affect time in the pupa stage?
For Intermediate Teachers (Grades 3-6)
- Measuring Larval Growth and Development
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Observing Fall Migrants
- Weather Conditions During the Fall Migration
- Milkweed Monitoring
- Weather Conditions During the Spring Migration
- Larval Mortality
- What do monarch caterpillars eat?
- Where is my food?
- How does temperature affect time in the pupa stage?
For Middle School or High School Teachers
The Butterfly Conservation Initiative
The Butterfly Conservation Initiative (BFCI) was established in 2001. The BCFI is a partnership between the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Partnerships and Outreach. The BFCI has an educational mission that includes the promotion, protection, and restoration of native North American butterflies and their habitats. They have developed a variety of educational initiatives including programs, special events and exhibits, interpretive signage, curriculum, workshops, and activism.
The BFCI has created a Butterfly Activity Guide in partnership with the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and the National Wildlife Federation. You can download the entire guide, or each individual activity.
Download the entire publication: BCFI Activity Guide (PDF, 335 KB)
Butterfly Activity Guide
- Activity 1 - Butterfly life cycle (PDF, 162 KB)
- Activity 2 - Pollinator partnership: An inquiry investigation (PDF, 108 KB)
- Activity 3 - The Great Butterfly Migration (PDF, 99 KB)
- Action Projects (PDF, 68 KB)
- Resources (PDF, 53 KB)
Other Helpful Websites
Celebrating Wildflowers
The Celebrating Wildflowers website is dedicated to the enjoyment of the thousands of wildflowers growing on the National Forests and Grasslands and to educating the public about the many values of native plants.
Visit the Celebrating Wildflowers to learn more about:
- Teachers Resources
- Native Pollinators, including butterflies
- Gardening for Pollinators
- Pollinator Friendly Practices
Photo by Beatriz Mossiett 2006.
Butterfly House
The Butterfly House is a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden and its mission is to foster a better understanding and increased awareness of our natural world. The Butterfly House is a not-for-profit organization which was established in 1995 to foster a better understanding of butterflies and increase awareness of the natural habitat in which butterflies thrive. Their materials are used here with permission from the Butterfly House.
- Butterfly Directory - help identify butterflies you may encounter.
- Butterfly Gardening - learn more about butterfly gardening.
- Butterfly School: Classroom Activities
North American Pollinator Protection Campaign
Pollinators posters are made available by the USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), U.S. Botanical Gardens, and the NAPPC (North American Pollinator Protection Campaign).
Visit the CoEvolution Institute's website or contact the the CoEvolution Institute at their email address, info@coevolution.org.
Monarch Teacher Network - Canada (MTNC)
The MTNC is a group of Canadians interested in the environment, promoting a global community, and bringing the inspiring story of the monarch butterfly to classrooms. The group is made up of elementary teachers, interested individuals, and partners with the United States and Mexico to form a North American network of teachers committed to the preservation of the monarch butterfly and its habitat. The MTNC is part of the Monarch Teacher Network.