Monarch Butterflies

We raised Monarchs last year (2009) and this year (2010). So far, we haven't been lucky enough to find them in our yard but our friend, Amara, finds a ton. So much in fact, that she doesn't have enough food for them. So we've adopt some.

Monarch host plants:

• Milkweed

Monarchs are really interesting butterflies. In one year there are four generations. The forth generation migrates and hibernates in Mexico. When they awaken, they mate and then fly back to lay their eggs. Except for the generation that migrates to Mexico, the total life cycle of a Monarch is only 6-8 weeks.

Monarchs are an egg for only 3-4 days and they start out really small. Here you can see an egg, a newborn Monarch and a Monarch that is maybe a day or so old.


Then they grow...


And grow..


We've had the best luck with making "trees" for them. We put Milkweed clippings in water with the opening covered -- they can drown. This keeps the Milkweed fresher longer. But as they grow, it still doesn't last long.




In different instars:


Finally they get about this big (about 2 weeks after hatching from it's egg) before they make their chrysalis:


You know they are about to make their chrysalis when they hang in a "J":


They make a little spot of silk and then turn to stick their back feet to it.


Then as their chrysalis forms, their skin splits and falls off.










Monarchs spend about 10 days in their chrysalis before emerging as a butterfly. You will know that they are about to emerge when their chrysalis starts to turn clear (about a day before they emerge).




Finally, the day they will emerge, you can see the butterfly's markings through it's chrysalis.


They emerge from their chrysalis very quickly.












Then they must hang to inflate and dry their wings before being able to fly.






Once they finally open their wings, you can can tell if they are male or female.
Males have dots on the hindwings.


Females do not.


And they are ready to be released.

School Days: Week 3: Butterflies

This week we changed things up. We went with my original idea for homeschooling preschool: a theme a week. I threw in the letters A,B, and C (A and B were more of a review) and numbers. Our theme this week was butterflies. The Monarch caterpillars we had that made their chrysalises last week were born and released yesterday. Sean has really enjoyed the butterflies so we're picking up more caterpillars tomorrow.

Sean's artwork from this week...he made a chrysalis out of leaves and a twig, a butterfly out of more leaves and twigs, and did some coloring and painting.


Making a butterfly with his hands


A look at our Monarchs becoming butterflies












It's time to release them!








This week's reading:
Gotta Go! Gotta Go! -Sam Swope
Waiting for Wings -Lois Ehlert
The Very Hungry Caterpillar -Eric Carle

School Days: Week 2

Week 2 went very well. We started the week by reviewing the letter A. Sean wrote an A all by himself!



Our lessons then turned to the letter B and caterpillars, chrysalises and butterflies. A friend brought over 2 Monarch caterpillars that were just about ready to change to chrysalises. We watched how they first hung in their J position and then changed to their chrysalises. This lesson will go into late next week when they emerge as butterflies.







We also found a Tawny Emperor butterfly. They are a very tame butterfly. We caught it, put it in a jar to look at and then let it go.


At the end of the week, Sean surprised me by spelling his name. I always write his name on his papers and have him help me. While we write it, I call out the letters.



This week I've had changes on my mind. I'm debating on buying the curriculum again. I think we will try October with me making my own lesson plans and then decided. I think the curriculum is going too fast in some areas and too slow in others for Sean. The other change was a physical change. We do school more at the kitchen table than in the playroom. I think the toys are too distracting. Our school supplies now live in our kitchen:



Dance class...I guess you can say it went a little better. I still couldn't leave him but he did dance a little. He then had a melt down near the end of class so we left early.

Tiny Dancer

Another first this week was Sean's first dance class. For weeks now, this has been all Sean can talk about. "I dance in my classroom." was heard very often! It started out well. Before we left the house, he was so excited.


He was still very excited when we got there.


Then it was time to go to class and mommy to leave the room... He screamed... I tried coaxing him into class but he wasn't going by himself. The teacher then suggested that I come with him and then gradually slip away. So we sat. He at first wouldn't leave my lap. Then he was sitting by himself. Then he was sitting/standing on the dance floor. Progress! Slow, but still, he made progress!



We go back next Saturday. I'll hope for the best but prepare for the worst. My hope is for him to atleast get up and dance with the class...even if I can't leave the class. I know if he can just get comfortable there, he'll have a blast!

Oh, and of course as I'm buckling him in the car, he screams and cries "I want to dance!" ..sigh..