Welcome!
We're glad you are joining us this fall. Here's a quick overview of Journey South's fall monarch butterfly migration season:
- Dates of Migration: Fall monarch butterfly migration begins in August. The first monarchs reach Mexico two months later, in late October.
- How to Observe Fall Monarch Migration: Watch for monarchs that are: 1) flying overhead, 2) fueling at a nectar source or 3) resting at an overnight roost. What does monarch butterfly migration look like in the fall? See the slideshow When, Where and How to Watch the Fall Monarch Butterfly Migration. Also read background information "About the Monarch Butterfly Migration."
- How to Report Your Sightings: Tell us how many monarch butterflies you saw AND how long you were watching. Learn how to report your observations by submitting a "Practice Report." You can submit observations any time, day or night. They will appear on the migration map within five minutes.
- How to Map the Migration: Read about our three fall monarch migration maps and suggestions for classroom mapping.
- Dates of Journey South News Updates: We post news about the migration every Friday. Select "News" on the navigation bar to find "Journey South Monarch Migration Updates." The first is posted on August 31st and last when the monarchs reach Mexico. The migration updates are sent by e-mail and posted on the website. (For background see: About Migration Updates.)
- Each
Update Includes:
- Latest Migration Maps and a Map Questions handout (sample)
- A Topic of the Week: A slideshow or photo observation
- Migration Rate Math: Who Saw the Strongest Migration?
- Observation and/or Math: How Much Farther Must This Monarch Fly?
- A Challenge Question (and the answer the following week)
- Challenge Questions (and Journaling Questions) are central to students' work and learning. They are based on current events and authentic data. (For background see: About Challenge Questions.)
- Journals: Many Journey North teachers incorporate student journals to inspire learning and for assessment.
- Assessment: In addition journals, see these suggestions for assessment.
- Journey North for Kids: A simple, student-directed entry point to Journey North. Engaging stories, photos, videos, and slide shows about monarch butterflies build observation skills, inspire scientific thinking, and create fertile ground for discussions and new questions! See Journey North for Kids (Monarch Butterfly).
- Monarch Butterfly Resource Materials: Journey North has a rich resource library of monarch butterfly activities and resources, along with "Frequently Asked Questions" about monarchs.
- Journey North and Seasonal Change: Journey North explores the interrelated aspects of seasonal change. The monarch migration is one example. These background lessons help teachers integrate monarch butterfly migration into full context. They can be used with all Journey North species.
