Draw a Monarch Butterfly

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Subject:

Science and Technology

Institution Name:

American Museum of Natural History

Collection:

American Museum of Natural History

Grade Level:

Primary

Abstract:

This OLogy activity helps kids to learn about scientific illustrations by walking them through the steps for drawing a monarch butterfly. The activity begins by introducing kids to the importance of scientific illustration and why scientists prefer drawings to photographs. A photograph of a monarch and a printable monarch butterfly outline are included. In addition, students need color photographs, other research materials, paper, an eraser, and a variety of pencils. The process of creating the scientific illustration is broken down into five steps: researching, developing observational skills, tracing, filling in the illustration, and doing the background. Notes about how to research and plant a butterfly garden are included for a follow-up activity.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Activities and Labs

Media Format:

Graphics/Photos, Text/HTML

Conditions of Use:

Custom Permissions
All text, images, and software code on this website are copyright property of the American Museum of Natural History and its programmers unless otherwise noted. They may be used for the personal education of website visitors. They may not be placed in the public domain. AMNH grants permission to educators and students to use content from OLogy in presentations, posters and bulletin boards, assignments, or other public activities that take place in a classroom or other group learning environment, consistent with the fair use provisions of 17 U.S.C. Section 107.