Lesson Plan

Birds, Brains, and Binoculars

Students noting bird behavior
Students participating in Birds, Brains, and Binoculars

National Park Service

Overall Rating

Add your review
Grade Level:
Kindergarten-Eighth Grade
Subject:
Biology: Animals, Biology: Plants, Botany, Civic Engagement, Climate, Climate Change, Conservation, Ecological Engineering, Ecology, Environment, Marine Biology, Meteorology, Oceans, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, Writing
Duration:
90 minutes
Group Size:
Up to 36
Setting:
in the park
National/State Standards:
K Units 1, 2, 3
1 Units 1
2 unit 3
3 unit 4
4 unit 1, 2, 4
5 unit 4
6 unit 3, 4
8 unit 4

Overview

This citizen science program collects important data on bird behavior relating to the habitat around them.  Students come to the refuge and meet the Ranger and Education Science Ambassador, then take a five minute walk through the refuge to the examination vista.  Behavior of each bird is noted along with the surface the behavior is occurring on, such as water, vegetation, or air.

Background

Bird ID Cards

Birds Brains and Binoculars Script

Birds Brains and Binoculars Guide

Birds Brains and Binoculars Understanding by Design Outline

Birds Brains and Binoculars Curriculum Connections

Ethogram Database (Teacher)

Ethogram Database (Student)