The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is the only professional museum in the country dedicated entirely to shells.  The museum opened in 1995, and quickly gained recognition for its expertise at both a national and international level.  It is also one of only a small percentage of museums in the US accredited by the American Association of Museums.

Though contained in one large room, The Great Hall of Shells includes more than 30 exhibits telling the story of mollusks from around the world.  With exhibits  devoted to shells in art and history, shell habitats, rare specimens, fossil shells, and common Southwest Florida Shells the museum is a fantastic field trip opportunity for students learning about Florida nature and shells. 

Educators should request the "School Shell Collection Kit" ($20) or optional DVDS: The Secret Lives of Seashells or Trails & Tales of Living Seashells ($19.95 each) in writing from the museum at: PO BOX 1580 Sanibel, Florida 33957

Contact information:

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road

Sanibel, Florida

239-395-2233

Butterflies

Zebra longwing butterfly photo by Tammy Powers / Wikipedia

Florida's State butterfly is the Zebra Longwing butterfly. Have your students observe the photo of the Zebra longwing butterfly and then download & complete the Zebra Longwing butterfly notebooking page.

In addition to studying the Zebra Longwing butterfly, you may be interested in studying butterflies in general.

The butterfly migration project begins October 19th with Journey North. During the project students across the USA and Canada send symbolic buterflies to Mexico each fall. At the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico children protect the butterflies all winter and send them north in the spring. United by the monarch butterfly, children across North America learn lessons of conservation and ambassadorship. Visit Symbolic Monarch lessons for downloads, video and additional information.

If you are considering integrating a lesson in butterflies in your nature or science study this year, there are a number of resources you should consider.

Explore Butterflies

Explore butterflies is a multi-media website that allows your students to explore their knowledge of butterflies by playing one of four games: Butterfly Smarts, Butterfly Habitat, Field Observation and Climate & Change. Younger students will assistance reading the questions and multiple choice answers.
 

(Thank-you to @Ktenkely for posting about this site).

Monarch Watch

Monarch watch, part of The Kansas Biological Survey at the University of Kansas is a great website to visit for more educational, scientific study and conservation information on the monarch butterfly. There are a number of ways that students can become involved in studies with scientists, in addition to rearing monarchs there are 5 additional studies students or groups can participate in.

Monarch Butterfly Website

The Monarch butterfly website has a wonderful collection of articles, pictures and information on raising and caring for Monarch butterflies.

Hands-on learning labs will offer your child the closest view of butterflies and an opportunity to observe and study them over a longer period of time.  Insect Lore's butterfly garden is a complete kit with larve (Painted Lady butterflies) and butterfly cage for close observation. 

Students may also collect Monarch caterpillars from your butterfly garden (plant milkweed for best results) and observe them indoors.  Be sure to offer the caterpillars an abundance of fresh milkweed daily.  Students may also  learn how to tell the sex of a Monarch butterfly and create a chart of the butterflies they release.

Make your own Owl Calendar 2011

Does your Young Naturalist have a thing for owls? Allow them to design their own owl calendar using illustrations from various artists.  Its a fun way to end an owl study or just throw in a bit of art.