The Power of the Monarch Story
One reason the monarch is such a powerful learning tool is because it’s a great story. Stories help learners to integrate knowledge into a coherent picture of how the world works. Researchers believe that story-telling is something we virtually have to do to make sense of all the information that bombards us each day, and to remember anything at all. Facts presented in story form are easier to remember. Stories draw us in and carry us through difficult concepts, leading to new understanding. Good stories convey information and describe events and actions, but also engage our emotions and imagination in the learning process. Facts that stir up emotion are more quickly and easily stored in our brains, which function by constructing stories. Adults and children live learn and relate to each other, every day and minute, through the stories they know and tell each other.


Character Education
Caring for monarch butterflies can help students learn far more than the habits and needs of one species. Observing and caring for an animal can lead to a sense of responsibility and respect for life. It can also increase sensitivity and awareness of the feelings and needs of others, developing responsible behaviour, compassion, and respect for both animals and humans. Classroom experiences with animals can be especially valuable for urban students who may have fewer opportunities to have direct contact with animals in nature.


Global Warming and Extinction
Global warming is a serious threat to monarch migration through its affect on weather and climate in the monarch winter sanctuaries in Mexico. In January, 2002, possibly 80% of the monarchs wintering in Mexico were killed by a severe winter storm. It may seem alarmist to worry about the disappearance of the monarch migration when monarchs still number in the tens of millions, but numbers give no immunity to extinction. A study of monarchs leads inevitably to the topic of global warming and its consequences for people, wildlife and the planet.


Deforestation
The monarch’s Mexico winter sanctuaries are located in old growth fir forests. In Mexico and around the world, old growth forests are rapidly disappearing as a result of legal and illegal logging. Between 50%– 90% of all land species inhabit the world’s forests. A study of monarchs inevitably leads to the topic of deforestation and what we need to do to save the forests in Mexico – Manitoba – and the world.

“Boreal forest covers half of Manitoba, an interlinked wilderness of birch, poplar, spruce, pine and muskeg. It is home to bears, moose, wolves, foxes and a variety of songbirds and hundreds of medicinal plants that have sustained life and been used for thousands of years. However, less than 8% of the boreal forest is protected from development in Manitoba.” (Alexander Paul – Winnipeg Free Press, March 5, 2008)

A new environmental web site - www.abcleaders.org/ - has been designed to exert public pressure to protect and possibly restore portions of the boreal forest under threat from pollution.


Lawn Practices/Gardening
Today grass is one of North America’s largest crops. Every summer home owners pour large amounts of water, herbicides and pesticides onto their lawns to keep them green. The prudent use of water is a concern for everyone. Chemicals impact on the health and well being of many living things, including people. A study of monarchs encourages participants to preserve and restore parts of our communities and backyards as natural habitats for plants and animals.


Learning Communities
Teaching and learning with monarchs facilitates the development of a learning community. Students, teachers, other staff, parents and the community become involved in raising the butterflies and in creating gardens and natural habitats for the monarchs.


Cultural Connections
Because the monarchs migrate through three countries, connections can be made amongst three cultures. Its story connects the land and the peoples who belong to the land.

(Adapted from MTN)