Lesson: Bird Spotting!

Introduce the topic of birdwatching and discuss bird characteristics.

• Show students photos of birds, either local birds or those in the article. Ask: Have you spotted any of these birds in the wild? What other birds have you seen or heard? What characteristics can help you tell bird species apart? (size, shape, color, habitat, songs, etc.) What traits do birds have in common? (feathers, wings, two legs, beaks, etc.)

Read an article about bird migration and birdwatching.

• Preview the article and then read it aloud to the class. Remind students that birdwatching, or birding, requires being respectful of birds and their habitats, including cleaning bird feeders to keep birds healthy. Then discuss what students can do while birdwatching to make sure they appreciate the birds while not distracting them from finding food, building nests, and taking care of their young. Discuss how human activities can affect birds and how we can choose to protect their habitats and reduce threats to their survival. 
• Take the poll (available online at the end of the scrollable article). Discuss where students could birdwatch in their community. Ask students which step in the “Birding Basics” sidebar they think would be the hardest to do and which would be the easiest.

Take a low-stakes assessment to reinforce core ideas.

• Ask students what they learned about birds and birdwatching and record their responses in two separate columns. Then have students complete the Quick Quiz in pairs.

Observe and describe birds and birdsongs in different places.

• Share only the audio portion of the video “The Birds Around You.” Have students describe or imitate each song. Then replay with video. Ask students to share anything that interested them. Talk about how songs can help identify birds. 
• Discuss characteristics of common local birds. Then preview the Bird Search skills sheet. If it’s safe to do so, take students outside together to conduct their observations. Discuss their findings as a class.

Conduct research in order to compare and contrast two local bird species.

• As a class, make a list of local birds using sources like www.allaboutbirds.org, www.audubon.org, or www.ebird.org. Share the activity Bird vs. Bird and tell students to choose two local bird species to research. Then have students complete their research using books and reliable online sources. Let students share their findings in small groups.

⇨ Learning Extensions:

• Imagine that you are a migrating bird. Create a colorful, attention-getting comic strip of your journey as a migratory bird.
• Go birding with a trusted adult and make detailed observations about birds you see. Identify and label as many as you can, using a bird guide book, app, or website.