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1998 Texas Science Standards and Monarchs in the Classroom
Curriculum Activities Cross-Index: Grade 6

This document contains a cross listing of Monarchs in the Classroom curriculum guides activities to the Texas Science Standards for Grade 6. This document was developed with the help of Virginia Malone of Hondo, TX. The purpose of this document is to help teachers identify specific content areas that are addressed by Monarchs in the Classroom activities. Activities that address all or some aspects of the content standard are listed. Activities do not necessarily cover the entire standard.

Monarchs in the Classroom lessons are listed next to Standards that they address. Sections for the lessons are abbreviated as follows: Life Cycle (LC), Migration (MG), Ecology (EC), Systematics (SY), Experiments (EX), and Conservation (CS).

To see the official Texas science education standards for grade 6 go here.

Texas State Education Standards

MITC Activities

(a) Introduction.  
(1) In Grade 6, the study of science includes conducting field and laboratory investigations using scientific methods, analyzing data, making informed decisions, and using tools such as beakers, test tubes, and spring scales to collect, analyze, and record information. Students also use computers and information technology tools to support scientific investigations. LC1: Focus on Features
LC2: Rearing Monarch Larvae
LC3: Preserving and Observing Butterfly Wings
LC4: Butterfly Scales
LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC6: Measuring Larval Growth and Development
LC7: Additional Student Projects
LC8: Keeping a Monarch Journal
LC9: Additional Student Journaling Projects

MG1: Monarch Migration as a Response to Winter
MG2: Map the Monarchs’ Route
MG3: Observing Fall Migrants
MG4: Flight Direction Analysis
MG5: Weather Conditions During Fall Migration
MG8: Tagging Fall Migrants
MG9: Map the Recoveries
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG11: Milkweed Monitoring
MG12: Weather Conditions during Spring Migration
MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide
EC4: How Many Grandchildren?
EC5: Why Isn’t the World Overrun with Monarchs?

EX1: Coming Up With A Question
EX2: Hypothesis Generation
EX3: Designing an Experiment
EX4: Practicing Experimental Design
EX5: Analyzing and Presenting Data
EX6: Writing Conclusions with the RERUN Method
EX7: Presenting Results of Experiments

CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(2) As students learn science skills, they identify components of the solar system including the Sun, planets, moon, and asteroids and learn how seasons and the length of the day are caused by the tilt and rotation of the Earth as it orbits the Sun. Students investigate the rock cycle and identify sources of water in a watershed. Students identify changes in objects including position, direction, and speed when acted upon by a force.  
(3) Students classify substances by their chemical properties and identify the water cycle and decay of biomass as examples of the interactions between matter and energy. They identify life processes and the relationships between structure and function of organisms. LC1: Focus on Features
LC2: Rearing Monarch Larvae
LC3: Preserving and Observing Butterfly Wings
LC4: Butterfly Scales
LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC6: Measuring Larval Growth and Development
LC7: Additional Student Projects
LC8: Keeping a Monarch Journal
LC9: Additional Student Journaling Projects

MG1: Monarch Migration as a Response to Winter
MG3: Observing Fall Migrants
MG4: Flight Direction Analysis
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?
MG15: Migration Story

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide
EC5: Why Isn’t the World Overrun with Monarchs?

(4) Science is a way of learning about the natural world. Students should know how science has built a vast body of changing and increasing knowledge described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models, and also should know that science may not answer all questions. LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC7: Additional Student Projects

MG1: Monarch Migration as a Response to Winter
MG6: Monarch Tagging Role Play
MG9: Map the Recoveries
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?

EC4: How Many Grandchildren?
EC5: Why Isn’t the World Overrun with Monarchs?

CS1: Is Our Community a Good Home for Monarchs?
CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(5) A system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. Students should understand a whole in terms of its components and how these components relate to each other and to the whole. All systems have basic properties that can be described in terms of space, time, energy, and matter. Change and constancy occur in systems and can be observed and measured as patterns. These patterns help to predict what will happen next and can change over time. LC1: Focus on Features
LC2: Rearing Monarch Larvae
LC3: Preserving and Observing Butterfly Wings
LC4: Butterfly Scales
LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC6: Measuring Larval Growth and Development
LC7: Additional Student Projects
LC8: Keeping a Monarch Journal
LC9: Additional Student Journaling Projects

MG1: Monarch Migration as a Response to Winter
MG3: Observing Fall Migrants
MG4: Flight Direction Analysis
MG5: Weather Conditions During Fall Migration
MG6: Monarch Tagging Role Play
MG9: Map the Recoveries
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG12: Weather Conditions during Spring Migration
MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?
MG15: Migration Story

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide
EC5: Why Isn’t the World Overrun with Monarchs?

SY1: Classifying Shoes
SY2: More than Mammals
SY3: Monarch and Human Classification
SY4: Scientific Names
SY5: Additional Projects on Systematics

CS1: Is Our Community a Good Home for Monarchs?
CS2: Planting a School Butterfly Garden
CS3: Monarchs in the Balance Dilemma Cards
CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(6) Investigations are used to learn about the natural world. Students should understand that certain types of questions can be answered by investigations, and that methods, models, and conclusions built from these investigations change as new observations are made. Models of objects and events are tools for understanding the natural world and can show how systems work. They have limitations and based on new discoveries are constantly being modified to more closely reflect the natural world.

 

LC1: Focus on Features
LC2: Rearing Monarch Larvae
LC3: Preserving and Observing Butterfly Wings
LC4: Butterfly Scales
LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC6: Measuring Larval Growth and Development
LC7: Additional Student Projects
LC8: Keeping a Monarch Journal
LC9: Additional Student Journaling Projects

MG6: Monarch Tagging Role Play
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG11: Milkweed Monitoring
MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide
EC4: How Many Grandchildren?
EC6: Rates and Causes of Mortality in Classroom and Wild Monarch Larvae
EC7: Monarch Mishaps

SY2: More than Mammals
SY3: Monarch and Human Classification
SY4: Scientific Names
SY5: Additional Projects on Systematics

EX1: Coming Up With a Question

CS1: Is Our Community a Good Home for Monarchs?
CS2: Planting a School Butterfly Garden
CS3: Monarchs in the Balance Dilemma Cards
CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(b) Knowledge and skills.  
(6.1) Scientific processes. The student conducts field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations; and

(B) make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials.

LC1: Focus on Features
LC2: Rearing Monarch Larvae
LC3: Preserving and Observing Butterfly Wings
LC4: Butterfly Scales
LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC6: Measuring Larval Growth and Development
LC7: Additional Student Projects
LC8: Keeping a Monarch Journal
LC9: Additional Student Journaling Projects

MG3: Observing Fall Migrants
MG4: Flight Direction Analysis
MG5: Weather Conditions During Fall Migration
MG8: Tagging Fall Migrants
MG9: Map the Recoveries
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG11: Milkweed Monitoring
MG12: Weather Conditions during Spring Migration
MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide EC4: How Many Grandchildren?
EC6: Rates and Causes of Mortality in Classroom and Wild Monarch Larvae

EX1: Coming Up With A Question
EX2: Hypothesis Generation
EX3: Designing an Experiment
EX4: Practicing Experimental Design
EX5: Analyzing and Presenting Data
EX6: Writing Conclusions with the RERUN Method
EX7: Presenting Results of Experiments

CS1: Is Our Community a Good Home for Monarchs?
CS2: Planting a School Butterfly Garden
CS3: Monarchs in the Balance Dilemma Cards
CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(6.2) Scientific processes. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:

(A) plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology;

(B) collect data by observing and measuring;

(C) analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct and indirect evidence;

(D) communicate valid conclusions; and

(E) construct graphs, tables, maps, and charts using tools including computers to organize, examine, and evaluate data.

LC1: Focus on Features
LC2: Rearing Monarch Larvae
LC3: Preserving and Observing Butterfly Wings
LC4: Butterfly Scales
LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC6: Measuring Larval Growth and Development
LC7: Additional Student Projects
LC8: Keeping a Monarch Journal
LC9: Additional Student Journaling Projects

MG3: Observing Fall Migrants
MG4: Flight Direction Analysis
MG5: Weather Conditions During Fall Migration
MG6: Monarch Tagging Role Play
MG7: How Heavy are the Tags, Anyway?
MG9: Map the Recoveries
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG11: Milkweed Monitoring
MG12: Weather Conditions during Spring Migration
MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide
EC4: How Many Grandchildren?
EC6: Rates and Causes of Mortality in Classroom and Wild Monarch Larvae
EC7: Monarch Mishaps

EX1: Coming Up With A Question
EX2: Hypothesis Generation
EX3: Designing an Experiment
EX4: Practicing Experimental Design
EX5: Analyzing and Presenting Data
EX6: Writing Conclusions with the RERUN Method
EX7: Presenting Results of Experiments

(6.3) Scientific processes. The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions. The student is expected to:

(A) analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information;

(B) draw inferences based on data related to promotional materials for products and services;

(C) represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations;

(D) evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment; and

(E) connect Grade 6 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists.

LC8: Keeping a Monarch Journal
LC9: Additional Student Journaling Projects

MG6: Monarch Tagging Role Play

EC4: How Many Grandchildren?
EC6: Rates and Causes of Mortality in Classroom and Wild Monarch Larvae
EC7: Monarch Mishaps

CS1: Is Our Community a Good Home for Monarchs?
CS2: Planting a School Butterfly Garden
CS3: Monarchs in the Balance Dilemma Cards
CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(6.4) Scientific processes. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:

(A) collect, analyze, and record information using tools including beakers, petri dishes, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, weather instruments, timing devices, hot plates, test tubes, safety goggles, spring scales, magnets, balances, microscopes, telescopes, thermometers, calculators, field equipment, compasses, computers, and computer probes; and

(B) identify patterns in collected information using percent, average, range, and frequency.

LC3: Preserving and Observing Butterfly Wings
LC4: Butterfly Scales
LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC6: Measuring Larval Growth and Development
LC7: Additional Student Projects
LC8: Keeping a Monarch Journal
LC9: Additional Student Journaling Projects

MG3: Observing Fall Migrants
MG4: Flight Direction Analysis
MG5: Weather Conditions During Fall Migration
MG9: Map the Recoveries
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG11: Milkweed Monitoring
MG12: Weather Conditions during Spring Migration
MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide
EC4: How Many Grandchildren?
EC6: Rates and Causes of Mortality in Classroom and Wild Monarch Larvae

EX1: Coming Up With A Question
EX2: Hypothesis Generation
EX3: Designing an Experiment
EX4: Practicing Experimental Design
EX5: Analyzing and Presenting Data
EX6: Writing Conclusions with the RERUN Method
EX7: Presenting Results of Experiments

(6.5) Scientific processes. The student knows that relationships exist between science and technology. The student is expected to:

(A) identify a design problem and propose a solution;

(B) design and test a model to solve the problem; and

(C) evaluate the model and make recommendations for improving the model.

MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?

CS1: Is Our Community a Good Home for Monarchs?
CS2: Planting a School Butterfly Garden
CS3: Monarchs in the Balance Dilemma Cards
CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(6.5) Scientific concepts. The student knows that systems may combine with other systems to form a larger system. The student is expected to:

(A) identify and describe a system that results from the combination of two or more systems such as in the solar system; and

(B) describe how the properties of a system are different from the properties of its parts.

MG1: Monarch Migration as a Response to Winter
MG9: Map the Recoveries
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG11: Milkweed Monitoring
MG15: Migration Story

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide
EC5: Why Isn’t the World Overrun with Monarchs?
EC6: Rates and Causes of Mortality in Classroom and Wild Monarch Larvae
EC7: Monarch Mishaps
EC8: How Living Things Protect Themselves
EC9: Plant Defenses
EC10: Camouflage 1
EC11: Camouflage 2
EC12: Warning Coloration
EC13: Flash, or Startle, Coloration
EC14: Mimicry
EC15: Monarch Protection

CS1: Is Our Community a Good Home for Monarchs?
CS2: Planting a School Butterfly Garden
CS3: Monarchs in the Balance Dilemma Cards
CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(6.6) Science concepts. The student knows that there is a relationship between force and motion. The student is expected to:

(A) identify and describe the changes in position, direction of motion, and speed of an object when acted upon by force;

(B) demonstrate that changes in motion can be measured and graphically represented; and

(C) identify forces that shape features of the Earth including uplifting, movement of water, and volcanic activity.

MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?
(6.7) Science concepts. The student knows that substances have physical and chemical properties. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate that new substances can be made when two or more substances are chemically combined and compare the properties of the new substances to the original substances; and

(B) classify substances by their physical and chemical properties.

 
(6.8) Science concepts. The student knows that complex interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to:

(A) define matter and energy;

(B) explain and illustrate the interactions between matter and energy in the water cycle and in the decay of biomass such as in a compost bin; and

(C) describe energy flow in living systems including food chains and food webs.

EC1: Butterfly Habitat Survey
EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide

CS1: Is Our Community a Good Home for Monarchs?
CS2: Planting a School Butterfly Garden
CS4: Writing and Problem Solving

(6.9) Science concepts. The student knows that obtaining, transforming, and distributing energy affects the environment. The student is expected to:

(A) identify energy transformations occurring during the production of energy for human use such as electrical energy to heat energy or heat energy to electrical energy;

(B) compare methods used for transforming energy in devices such as water heaters, cooling systems, or hydroelectric and wind power plants; and

(C) research and describe energy types from their source to their use and determine if the type is renewable, non-renewable, or inexhaustible.

 
(6.10) Science concepts. The student knows the relationship between structure and function in living systems. The student is expected to:

(A) differentiate between structure and function;

(B) determine that all organisms are composed of cells that carry on functions to sustain life; and

(C) identify how structure complements function at different levels of organization including organs, organ systems, organisms, and populations.

LC3: Preserving and Observing Butterfly Wings
LC4: Butterfly Scales
LC5: Additional Student Projects
LC7: Additional Student Projects

MG13: How Far Can A Butterfly Glide?

EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC3: Make a Butterfly and Moth Field Guide
EC8: How Living Things Protect Themselves
EC9: Plant Defenses
EC10: Camouflage 1
EC11: Camouflage 2
EC12: Warning Coloration
EC13: Flash, or Startle, Coloration
EC14: Mimicry
EC15: Monarch Protection

(6.11) Science concepts. The student knows that traits of species can change through generations and that the instructions for traits are contained in the genetic material of the organisms. The student is expected to:

(A) identify some changes in traits that can occur over several generations through natural occurrence and selective breeding;

(B) identify cells as structures containing genetic material; and

(C) interpret the role of genes in inheritance.

 
(6.12) Science concepts. The student knows that the responses of organisms are caused by internal or external stimuli. The student is expected to:

(A) identify responses in organisms to internal stimuli such as hunger or thirst;

(B) identify responses in organisms to external stimuli such as the presence or absence of heat or light; and

(C) identify components of an ecosystem to which organisms may respond.

LC6: Measuring Larval Growth and Development

EC2: Make a Plant Field Guide
EC8: How Living Things Protect Themselves
EC9: Plant Defenses
EC10: Camouflage 1
EC11: Camouflage 2
EC12: Warning Coloration
EC13: Flash, or Startle, Coloration
EC14: Mimicry
EC15: Monarch Protection

MG1: Monarch Migration as a Response to Winter
MG9: Map the Recoveries
MG10: Track the Spring Migration with Journey North
MG11: Milkweed Monitoring
MG15: Migration Story

(6.13) Science concepts. The student knows components of our solar system. The student is expected to:

(A) identify characteristics of objects in our solar system including the Sun, planets, meteorites, comets, asteroids, and moons; and

(B) describe types of equipment and transportation needed for space travel.

 
(6.14) Science concepts. The student knows the structures and functions of Earth systems. The student is expected to:

(A) summarize the rock cycle;

(B) identify relationships between groundwater and surface water in a watershed; and

(C) describe components of the atmosphere, including oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor, and identify the role of atmospheric movement in weather change.

 

 

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ã1999 Monarchs in the Classroom  - University of Minnesota
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