Butterfly Attraction/Butterfly Garden Activity

Day 11 Introduction of Activity: Class discussion. (40 minutes) "Has anyone ever heard of a butterfly garden? What does that mean? Can I grow butterflies? How might we attract them? Using the data we collected, could we plant a successful butterfly garden? What plants might you suggest we use? Why? How do you know? What species would we attract?" Have students write in their journal what they know about butterfly gardens.

Day 12 Butterfly Garden Assignment: Discussion of activity. (40 minutes) "I have a plot of land available to us for the purpose of planting a butterfly garden. However, I have 90 students who have different ideas of what should be planted. What should I do?" Students will work in the same groups used for data collection to complete the activity. Each group of students will create a butterfly garden and present it as a sales pitch to fellow classmates, teachers, perhaps the principal, maybe local greenhouse workers, or community members that could contribute, or benefit in some way from the butterfly garden. Explain to students:

Steps for Creating a Butterfly Garden

1. Determine butterfly species found in the area. (We have been doing this already.)
2. Notice the plants they land on. (We have been doing this already.)
3. Determine plot size available. (Teacher has an option here: Show students the plot and have them determine the area available and measure the dimensions, or give students the dimensions and decide where the best location would be to plant the garden.)
4. Decide which plants will go where in the butterfly garden.
5. Draw a diagram to scale with a key to show plants in the diagram.
6. Present the butterfly garden plan as a sales pitch.

Days 13-15 Butterfly Garden Activity: Give students time in class to work on their gardens. There will be books in the classroom for students to refer to as sources. Students will also use the computer and the data they collected to determine the butterfly garden plan. Students will research during the entire 40 minutes of class time.

Day 16 Fermilab/Natural Area Visit: (1/2 day field trip) Students will visit Fermilab or another natural prairie site to observe butterflies in their natural habitat. Have students bring their data sheets used in class to the natural site and collect data at the new site. Notice any differences or similarities. Ask Fermilab staff questions about butterflies and their habitats. Discuss new species found at the site. Why are there different species at Fermilab than in the school yard?

Days 17-18 Butterfly Garden Plan Presentations: Present the plans to other classmates as well as other community members. The best plan will be determined by class vote and a rubric score. The intention of this activity is for students, teachers, and other volunteers to coordinate with community business owners and workers to obtain the resources to actually create the butterfly garden.

Day 19 Measuring Butterfly Attraction Success: Class discussion. (40 minutes) How can we assess the success of our butterfly garden? Once it has been planted, how do we know if it is doing what it is supposed to do? How can we tell what kinds of butterfly species we are attracting? Ask critical thinking questions: What do you think it means if the butterfly population at one site is more diverse from one site to another? Could you tell me anything about a particular site by monitoring butterflies?