The Monarch's Return: Symbolic Migration

In the fall, we participated in Journey North's Symbloic Migration.  We created paper butterflies that were sent to Mexican children living near the monarch sanctuaries to symbolize the real migration of monarch butterfly.  These students cared for our butterflies all winter, and now the butterflies have migrated back to our classroom. Our original paper butterflies did not return to us.  Instead, we received butterflies made by other students in the U.S. and Canada.  This was the first time I did this project with my students.  Today, letters arrived in my mailbox addressed to two of my girls.  The letters were from 4th grade students in Madison, Wisconsin who received the girls' original butterflies.  The girls were so excited to find out where their butterflies ended up.  This project has come full circle.  Not only did we learn about monarchs and their life cycle, we learned that were ambassadors for the fragile butterfly that migrates across shared borders.   I hope my students' stewardship continues beyond this memorable second grade project!