This year the our class will participate in an adventure filled learning environment.  We  kicked off the year by examining the life cycle of Monarch Butterflies by raising them in the classroom, while following, observing and recording each stage of the metamorphosis from a microscopic egg, through the larval, pupal and finally butterfly stages of life.  We tagged and released them in conjunction with the University of Kansas Etymology department’s Monarch tagging program.  We then followed the trans-continental migration via the web as the Monarchs arrived in the Monarch Sanctuaries of Sierra Chincua, Pelon and El Rosario high up in the Trans-Volcanic Mountain range in Central Mexico.  As a member of the Monarch Teacher Network I have traveled to the Sanctuaries in Mexico and have showcased the Monarch Project in class and the hands on real-life activities make it a lesson that no child will ever forget.  We are also participating in the Monarch Pen Pals Project through Monarch Teacher Network Canada where we connected with Barbara Dahle's 6th Grade class in Winnepeg Manitoba Canada and began our own journey of getting to know each other. It is my hope that this project will captivate the childrens' interest as well as respect for their natural surroundings and natural resources and learn  respect for all inhabitants of this great continent regardless of geographic borders.  Last but not least I hope that this project and everything we learn together this year inspires the students to want to learn more about science, geography and history of the many cultures along the Monarch’s journey south and subsequent return in the Spring.