Carolina Day students simulate migration of Monarch butterflies

The Pre-K class embarked on the 20th annual Monarch Migration. The march simulates monarch butterflies’ migration to Mexico. 
 

Pre-K student, Elizabeth Beatty, energizing herself with “nectar” just like the Monarch butterflies do during their long journey.

“Having the Pre-K children ‘fly’ around our campus dramatizing the annual monarch migration to Mexico is the perfect way to culminate our study of these fascinating butterflies,” said Pre-K teacher Cathy Walters. “After watching the habitat in our classroom where the monarch caterpillars eat milkweed for two weeks, hang in a ‘J’, turn into a chrysalis, wait for another 14 days, then see the butterflies emerge from their chrysalis, it is then time to set them free to go to their centuries old roost in Mexico.”

Pre-K student, Oliver Cogburn, showing his dad, Trip Cogburn, what he has learned about the Monarch butterfly’s life cycle.

Carolina Day School’s “Hallelujah Seniors” – those who have attended the school from Pre-K through senior year and also participated in their first migration in 1997 – led the parade of butterflies.

“Hallelujah Seniors” (left to right) Candler Rice, Steven Stranges, and Haley Smith leading the Pre-K students on the Monarch Migration through campus.

The migration across campus began in the Pre-K hall, across the athletic fields to the Upper School, then to the Middle School, and ended in the Lower School Creative Woodlands. The butterflies stopped for sips of “nectar” to energize themselves and sang songs about the life of a monarch butterfly.

“Simulating the trip, complete with nectar stops, using all of their senses, will help the children remember this study of monarch butterflies for years to come,” said Walters.