We're studying Birds using Jeannie Fulbright's Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the 5th Day. It's awesome!
One website that has been especially helpful to our study is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They have links for Kids & Families, Educators, and so much more. Their All About Birds link is a well-organized, helpful resource. The Educator's Guide to Bird Study has many ideas for getting started. You can even download a FREE Bird Coloring Book. There's so much more to discover at this site, like these helpful tips on tricky bird identification. Although some resources must be purchased, there are many free resources, like this Free Mini-poster of common feeder birds which I downloaded and printed for each of my kids to put in their Bird Notebooks. Cornell Ornithology has developed curriculum which they sell, but they also offer some free lessons:
Cornell Bird Sleuth Project Feeder Watch (PFW) Homeschool Lessons (FREE download)
Cornell Bird Sleuth: Investigating Evidence (FREE download)- Designed for classroom teachers, includes Teacher's Guide, Resource Pages, Investigator's Journal,
Another resource I found is Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: a very cool ON-line magazine for K-5 Teachers: Arctic & Antarctic Birds- Issue 11, February 2009 (Note: possible evolutionary content)- This magazine focuses on integrating science and literacy in the polar regions. It has tons of links, great ideas for classroom activities, videos, beautiful photography, and so much more.
In addition, for your Bird Notebook, you can download some lovely free pages from the Notebooking Nook. There are a few free nature study bird notebooking pages at Notebookingpages.com too, as well as complete sets that you can purchase.
Happy Bird Watching!
Grace and Peace,
Angel
