5th Grade

LET’S EXPLORE AS AN ORNITHOLOGIST

TEKS: Science - 5.2 B, 5.2 E, 5.9 A-C, 5.4 A, 5.5 A-B

Overview

There are 900 species of birds documented in North America and over 500 have been seen in South Texas alone. The Rio Grande Valley is a wonderful location to study birds and see how they reflect the health of an environment. Students will role play as ornithologists (scientists who study birds), comparing the adaptive characteristics of bird beaks and feet which allow the birds to survive in a unique ecosystem. Students will birdwatch around the forest and document their findings in a journal.

Program Highlights:

• Participate in Citizen Science as they use the Cornell Lab of Ornithology e-Bird Trail Tracker to collect and record bird data
• Learn that adaptations can improve the survival of a bird species, as the students explore their niche within an ecosystem.
• Study examples of inherited traits and learned characteristics

Extra Cool Stuff:

• Hand lenses
• Beak and feet replicas
• Bird masks and photos
• Adaptation Artistry Worksheet
• Field guides
• Binoculars
• Nature journal