The monarch butterfly is helping area teachers learn different ways to educate their students this year.
Fifty teachers from across the province are in Wiarton at Peninsula Shores District school today and tomorrow to take part in Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies.
The workshop is to help teachers learn different methods of taking the story of the monarch’s evolution and migration – and using it to teach students about math – social studies – literacy and art.
One of the organizers – Audrey Armstrong- says there will be many workshops over the two days.
The main focus will be the evolution of the monarch on the leaves of the milkweed plant – and then their long migration south in September.
The butterfly’s story of survival helps connect students to their environment on a local and international scale.
Armstrong says that the monarch is also a species of concern protected under the species at risk in Canada act.
Armstrong says that the Blue Water area is perfect for this workshop because it is a perfect environment for the breeding and habitat of the insects.
The workshop – sponsored by the Monarch Teacher Network – is full with 50 teachers participating.
The workshops are mainly taught by volunteer teachers.
Similar workshops happened in Sarnia, Toronto and Mississauga in July.