Here's where you can learn a lot about NZ butterflies and moths and how to create the perfect habitat for them: Online Course.
To celebrate the red admiral being selected as the Bug of the Year, The Entomological Society of NZ designed these cute little stickers which can be printed out on Avery L7148 glossy circle labels available from good stationery outlets. Fantastic for schools, clubs etc.
- Counting Coppers Unit Plan by Bianca Woyak, Burnside Primary School
- Awareness Activity by Zachary Skelton
- Thinking Skills (pdf) This resource was prepared by Denise Tarlinton, Curriculum Support Teacher at Kurwongbah State School. Kurwongbah is a P-7 Multiage school in Queensland, Australia. Thanks, Denise!
- Make your own Pooter. A pooter is a great device for capturing tiny insects - safe and easy to make.
Click on the links below to download other educational stuff and fun activities:
- Monarch Metamorphosis/Butterfly Gardening (notes)
- My Milkweed Diary for students to complete; a term project from when they plant the seed of their swan plant (milkweed) through to the laying of an egg on the leaf and the life of a butterfly.
- How to Measure Butterflies instructions (pdf)
- Munchin' Monarch on YouTube
There are some excellent resources on the Science Learning Hub of the University of Waikato:
- Butterflies
- Rearing Insects
- Write an Insect Mihi
- Interview with Dr Robert Hoare
- Make A Wanted Poster for an Insect
and more - go to Science Learning Hub and use their search engine.
- Butterfly Investigations
- Cabbage white metamorphosis and raising cabbage white butterflies
- Landcare's Pollination Project for Teachers
- "Monarch Journey" Resources
- On the Journey North (USA) website there are some great activities for use in schools.
- Monarch Watch is the organisation researching and helping monarch butterflies in North America, based at Kansas University. Check this page out!
- The Teachers' Guide has been created by a teacher in the USA who has compiled resources on various topics including butterflies, moths and other insects.
- The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in North America put together this guide with ideas and links on monarch conservation. Remember, that this guide and resources is intended for North America, where the monarchs migrate... many of the plants and other biodiversity is, obviously, relevant to N America, but you can always adapt the lessons for NZ.
Music
- Purerehua by Hirini Melbourne is a beautiful waiata to learn. Here it is to share with others:
Purerehua on YouTube
Pūrerehua words
Alternatively, the lyrics and chords are here. - Butterfly Songs
- A wonderful song by Rob and Denise Gibbs in the USA about the monarch migration from Canada to Mexico. Very catchy tune and simple lyrics for children... Monarch Migration (Chords and Lyrics). Here it is on a video.
- Elementary 5th graders (10-11 years old) who visited Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in 2015 put together this song. They chose the topic, researched monarchs and their plight, chose the song, wrote the lyrics, and recorded the video during their visit. It was made as part of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute Tremont's educational music video program 'Creative Outlets for Outdoor Learning' or #SmokiesCOOL.
Art
- Monarch Crimped (art project - pdf)
- Monarch Colour In (art project – pdf)
- Origami Monarch
- How to draw a monarch butterfly using markers and coloured pencils
- Coffee Filter Butterflies (Art Project)
- Colour in the Red-Admiral-colour-in-SS, label the parts.
Games
- Monarch Maze puzzle (pdf)
- Monarch Wordfind puzzle (pdf)
- Jigsaw puzzle (on line) wth monarch butterfly.
- Monarch Life Cycle Dice Game and Cards
- Monarch Migration Game A game for outdoors - great for a sunny day!
- Monarch Survival Game
- Flip Book Craft activity suitable for 8-11 year olds. Illustrates the life cycle of a butterfly (or plant, bird).
Here's how to make your own Flip Book depicting the life cycle of the monarch. These are easy and fun to do...
- Print out the template and colour in the pictures.
- Cut along the dotted lines to create 8 flip pages.
- Arrange the pieces in numerical order. Make sure the bottom edges line up.
- Put a staple in the bottom of your book.
- Flip through the pages to demonstrate the life cycle!
Please tell us about what you're doing! Here are articles about some of the schools we've profiled in our magazine - we would LOVE to profile your school - please contact .
- Grey Lynn Kindergarten 2019 Butterflies magazine
- Makauri School and Albany Junior High School in 2017 Butterflies magazine
- Manchester St School 2017 Butterflies magazine
- Corinna School and Hurunui College in 2018 Butterflies magazine
From time to time we hope to add more resources. If you have something to share please let us know by emailing .