- Before the class heads outside, have a discussion about what the students might see on their walk. Will there be any birds, will there be any songbirds, have you seen birds around the school before, what kind, how are the birds able to live in the school yard, will you see any on the walk, why or why not? Write the comments on the board to be referred to after the walk.
- Begin the walk. Explore and discover. If it is needed, direct the students' attention to birds or bird signs. When a bird is seen discuss what it is doing and why it might be there.
- During the walk note the type of birds, the habitat they are in, their behavior, the weather, season, and other interesting things seen and heard.
After the walk lead a discussion about the things you discovered outside. Review the comments written on the board. Did you see what you thought you would see, was it different than you expected, how was it different? What were the good and bad habitats along the walk? Why are they good or bad? What were the birds doing? Would this change if it was a different season?
In conclusion, think about the similarities of the school yard with your own yard. What can you do to help the birds you saw on the walk or the birds who live by your home?
As an extension to this activity, the students could carry clipboards and take notes about what they see on the walk. They could work in teams with one or more observing and one writing. They might want to include sketches and then write a report including the answers to the questions addressed in the discussion.
Children will go for a walk and look for birds or evidence of birds near their school. Students will gain an understanding about the habitat they live in.
Background
You can find birds almost everywhere. Birds have adapted to living in many diverse habitats. There is a good chance that birds live near your school.
Materials
appropriate clothing for a walk outdoors
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