Yay! The Monarchs are beginning their fall invasion. Congrats on your eggs. Now will you share these in your classroom this year? Let's see, 32 eggs and 1 first instar caterpillar equal . . .

Congrats on your eggs!

Coincidentally, I saw the FIRST Monarch of the year in the gardens today! This is very exciting, and lifts my spirits. And it was a SHE - hopefully she will leave some eggs on the Asclepias somewhere. :)

How strange! I saw my first monarch too this weekend and I'm way down in Dallas. I couldn't believe it since they don't usually come back through until October. Unfortunately mine was a male so no eggs just yet. It was still a sight to see!

How unusual that so many of us are seeing Monarchs! Actually, this is the 2nd Monarch this summer to come through my gardens and is the second FEMALE no less! The first didn't leave anything but I am thrilled that this one is leaving some babies for me.

I don't know if I've mentioned this here or not but I have left Kindergarten. I am back teaching mathematics at the middle school as of the end of this month. I WILL, however, be taking my butterflies with me. Absolutely. I know that there will be a number of students who were at my former elementary school AND a number who were in my Kindergarten class who will probably be my students once again. PLUS, there's a garden club at my school (I used to teach here 20 years ago) as I've given the garden club teacher Milkweed seeds and he has lots of Milkweed growing. I've also given Monarchs during a butterfly presentation in the past so it is a foregone conclusion that bringing my 'babies' will be a welcome addition. :)

I am so excited about having Monarchs and look forward to raising a bunch of 'em alongside the Giant Swallowtails (Heraclides cresphontes) I currently have as well as the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) and Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) and...yep, it's been a busy summer and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Well, you're all set if your curriculum calls for calculations of mean, median, and mode: you can do daily average lengths on a small set of caterpillars.

You could do linear trends, too, if you have a pre-algebra class.

Jeff

Yep, pre-algebra it is, Jeff. I just found out I've got three pre-algebra classes. :) Woo-hoo! Three classes will be 6th grade as well so I will have a nice mix and should have some of my former kids in all of my classes. I am SO looking forward to focusing on math only. I will miss the little guys (but won't miss the 'accidents' of pee and poo) and the singing and story telling and all the fab science...oh well. Ya gotta give up something when you move on to middle school. The horrid stress I had with this gal I worked with was just eight years of too much for me (not worth the high blood pressure any longer and I don't have much longer before I can retire and I want to retire in peace). :) I do so love that middle school age child just as much as I love Kindergarten-age children so I look forward to this group. Let's see what I do with 'em with regards to the ol' butts! tee-hee!

(although hubby isn't sure whether or not I should take my Hissing Cockroaches to school)

The Monarchs showed up here today! I was so excited when we pulled into the driveway that I practically jumped out of the moving car (DH was driving). I grabbed my camera and started stalking them. Two today. They were finding the milkweed and loved the marigolds and cosmos for nectar.

Cameron {{gwi:530225}}From a few more photos on my gardening blog