Fourth-graders raise, tag, and release monarch butterflies

SPARTA — Students in Janet Vigeland’s fourth-grade class at Hilltop Country Day School observe caterpillars, which the class will then raise to become Monarch butterflies and eventually tag and release them into the world as part of their study of Environmental Science.

It may have been only the second day of school, but for the fourth graders at Hilltop Country Day School they had already become environmental scientists.

As part of their study of the environment, Mrs. Vigeland raises Monarch Butterflies from caterpillars to, eventually, to butterflies.

“Our study of Monarch Butterflies touches on all aspects of the curriculum,” said fourth-grade teacher Janet Vigeland. “Students practice observation, classification, math and geography.”

In just the first week of school, the students were able to observe the entire life cycle of a butterfly from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Once the butterflies emerge, the students tag them as part of the Monarch Watch program. Tagging allows scientists to determine the pathways taken by migrating monarchs, the influence of weather on the migration, and the survival rate of the monarch.

Students also carry their study of Monarchs over into Social Studies class through their exploration of the culture of the indigenous people of Mexico who are paid $5 to turn in recovered tags in the name of science.

“It’s also a current environmental issue,” Vigeland said. “This project teaches the students about the effects of a loss of habitat.”

And as a certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation, Hilltop Country Day School is doing its part to ensure that Monarch’s continue to have suitable habitats to live.

In addition, Hilltop’s curriculum prides itself on technology integration. As part of the study of Monarchs, several students were tasked with using iPads to film the tagging and release of the butterflies. Their video footage was compiled into a student-produced video documenting the experience.

“Integrating technology into the classroom teaches the students videotaping skills such as angle, perspective, and framing,” Vigeland said. “The students also get to decide what is important to film, to zoom in on, or what angle to film.”