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Scientists often collect detailed data on aspects of their observations. For example, a monarch scientist may be interested in recording how much milkweed one caterpillar can eat in one day or in a set amount of time instead of simply noting that the caterpillar ate some milkweed. In this lesson, students will practice making measurements of how much milkweed is eaten and then record their measurements on a datasheet.

• Stiff paper or card stock (for tracing milkweed leaves)
• How Much Does a Caterpillar Eat? (student data sheet)
• Individual caterpillar containers
• Caterpillars and milkweed

1. Trace a milkweed leaf onto card stock and cut it out to make a pattern.
2. Give each child a data recording sheet and have them trace the pattern onto the graph paper and count the number of squares the leaf takes up. Fill in the numbers on the recording sheet.
3. Put 1 caterpillar and the milkweed leaf (that was just traced) in a container.
4. Have students predict how many squares the caterpillar will eat and record their prediction.
5. At the end of the day, retrace the eaten leaf on the original pattern and cut out the eaten portions.
6. Have students trace the new pattern on top of their drawing on the graph paper and color the part that was left. Students may then count how many squares of leaf were eaten and record this amount on the sheet.
7. Compare the amount of milkweed eaten each day as the caterpillar grows. The long term results could be shown on a picture graph (see below).

• How Much Does a Caterpillar Eat?  
  

ã 2000 Monarchs in the Classroom  - University of Minnesota
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