Big Idea: Students will share their positive actions for bird conservation with others.
Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to name three ways to improve habitat for birds.
Students will be able to identify two non-habitat related ways to help bird conservation.
Students will be able to synthesize ideas from the Habitat Exchange and Count Birds for Science lessons in order to take action for bird conservation.
Students will be able to share and compare their conservation actions with those of other classrooms around the United States using a collaboration wiki.
Time Needed: 45 minute period, possible extension time outside depending on your Action.
Think about how you might like to use the Share Your Actions wiki and what types of projects you might collaborate on with other classes.
Optional: Complete Lesson 1 (Habitat Exchange) and Lesson 7 (Count Birds for Science) in advance.
Conducting the Activity: 1. Complete a Conservation Action
Brainstorm with your students about what action(s) they would like to take for birds. You can:
Participate in Citizen Science (you may have done this already in Lesson 7);
Improve your schoolyard habitat for birds by providing food, water, and shelter (you may have done this already in Lesson 9);
Take action toward sustainability in your school community; and/or
Build community awareness and appreciation for birds.
Online Conservation Badges will be awarded to schools who have taken steps to help birds! Possible actions by area may include:
Citizen Scientists
Submitting data to eBird
Submitting data to CUBS
Submitting data to another citizen science program
Food Habitat Helpers
Putting up bird feeders
Planting a garden for birds
Water Habitat Helpers
Adding a bird bath
Adding a pond
Creek or beach clean up
Shelter Habitat Helpers
Planting trees and bushes
Putting up nest boxes
Schoolyard clean-up
Sustainability Stars
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Lowering your carbon footprint
Taking action at school to help the environment
Community Builders
Raising money for bird conservation
Sharing what you know with others outside your school
Participating in a community ev
ent centered around birds
Once you've agreed on your action(s), share your plans with your BirdSleuth Coordinator and get going! If you decide to complete a Habitat Helper project, consider taking photos before and after your changes have occurred. You will probably notice a difference in the number of birds frequenting the schoolyard!
2. Share Your Actions
Go to the Share Your Actions wiki and follow the instructions at the bottom of the home page to create your school's wiki page. Once you have created your wiki page, you can tag the actions you plan to complete and describe the actions you have already completed. Type text directly into the wiki. Add photos and videos to your page using the Widget button in the edit toolbar. Upload podcasts using the File button in the edit toolbar. Continue to update your page throughout the year as you take more actions for birds. Browse other school's pages to see what others are up to; you can get ideas for further action on your own or connect with classrooms doing similar projects that may be interested in collaborating on a project.
3. Get Recognized for Your Actions
The BirdSleuth team will monitor the Share Your Actions wiki throughout the year as you continue to post your conservation actions. Look out for the Conservation Badges you've earned to appear on your wiki page!
Share Your Actions!
Big Idea:
Students will share their positive actions for bird conservation with others.
Learning Objectives:
Time Needed:
45 minute period, possible extension time outside depending on your Action.
Materials:
Getting Ready:
Conducting the Activity:
1. Complete a Conservation Action
Brainstorm with your students about what action(s) they would like to take for birds. You can:
Online Conservation Badges will be awarded to schools who have taken steps to help birds! Possible actions by area may include:
Scientists
ent centered around birds
Once you've agreed on your action(s), share your plans with your BirdSleuth Coordinator and get going! If you decide to complete a Habitat Helper project, consider taking photos before and after your changes have occurred. You will probably notice a difference in the number of birds frequenting the schoolyard!
2. Share Your Actions
Go to the Share Your Actions wiki and follow the instructions at the bottom of the home page to create your school's wiki page. Once you have created your wiki page, you can tag the actions you plan to complete and describe the actions you have already completed. Type text directly into the wiki. Add photos and videos to your page using the Widget button in the edit toolbar. Upload podcasts using the File button in the edit toolbar. Continue to update your page throughout the year as you take more actions for birds. Browse other school's pages to see what others are up to; you can get ideas for further action on your own or connect with classrooms doing similar projects that may be interested in collaborating on a project.
3. Get Recognized for Your Actions
The BirdSleuth team will monitor the Share Your Actions wiki throughout the year as you continue to post your conservation actions. Look out for the Conservation Badges you've earned to appear on your wiki page!