Teaching Monarch Conservation
Jane Talesnick, M.Ed.
Tailored Programs
These programs are intended for educational purposes of learning about monarchs and not in-home breeding of multitudes of caged larvae which can lead to illnesses
Children's Enrichment Programs
Settings: Classrooms, parks, community centers
Time Frame: From one-six weeks (hourly sessions)
With access to multi-sensory tools and visual aids
Children will learn about:
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Monarch butterflies and their life cycle
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Monarchs habitat and their food source
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Responsibility for caring for monarch caterpillars
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The monarch metamorphism process
Children will actively:
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Pot milkweed to take home
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Witness the emergence of butterflies from the chrysalises
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Release butterflies back into nature
Children will increase science, math, and social-emotional skills through caring for their caterpillars.
Teacher Workshops
Designed to meet state learning standards
Settings: Online and in-person
Time Frame: Individually designed for program's needs
Teachers will learn:
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How to raise a monarch from egg to butterfly in the classroom, and the time line.
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To guide students through the process of caring for monarch butterflies including: feeding, cleaning and providing appropriate habitats.
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How to identify monarch butterfly eggs and locally grown types of milkweed in urban areas.
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About developmentally appropriate art, literacy, math and science projects for classrooms.
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How to engage students in conservation activities directly supporting monarchs.
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To distinguish monarch butterflies and larva from other insects.
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About monarch’s migration patterns and life span.
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To identify monarchs' predators; both manmade and insects.
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Understand the ethical and health concerns of mail order butterflies.
Teachers may also purchase butterfly kits.
These include: milkweed plants, a butterfly habitat, an instructional booklet on raising monarchs and tiny monarch caterpillars gathered from the wild.
Adult Information Sessions
Settings: In person, online, and phone consultation
Time Frame: Customized one hour increments
Adults will understand:
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How to raise monarchs at home; including identifying milkweed and proper butterfly cages.
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The four stages of the monarch butterfly life cycle.
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The reasons behind the decline in monarch butterfly populations.
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The importance of conservation efforts and individual actions that can help protect monarchs (i.e. citizen science programs).
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How to develop monarch friendly gardens using native plants and milkweed.
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The appropriate time and conditions for releasing monarch butterflies.
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Have the opportunity to ask any questions they have about their own gardens.
Adults may also purchase butterfly kits.
These include: milkweed plants, a butterfly habitat, an instructional booklet on raising monarchs and tiny monarch caterpillars gathered from the wild.
Family Workshops
Settings: Onsite coaching and phone consultation
Time Frame: Customized in one hour increments
Each family will receive:
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A monarch butterfly kit. These kits include milkweed plants, a butterfly habitat, an instructional booklet on raising monarchs and tiny monarch caterpillars gathered from the wild.
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Ongoing coaching and guidelines on how to safely handle caterpillars and chrysalises.
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Encouragement to create monarch-friendly gardens in yards or on balconies using native plants, particularly milkweed.
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Explanations about the challenges that monarch butterflies face due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and predators.
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Information on how and when to release of their newly hatched butterfly.
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Encouragement to continue interest in helping with citizen science programs, attending nature-related events, and staying updated on monarch butterfly news and conservation efforts.
