FALL 2023 – BIRDS
Birds are a wonderful introduction to the natural world and happen to be just outside your door! Whether in town or in the country, birds are usually within easy eyeshot or earshot. Project Learning Tree and American Bird Conservancy collaborated to develop a special new digital activity collection–Together for Birds. The lessons are designed to use with K-5 students. The collection enhances PLT lessons with bird-specific content, including digital student pages, enrichment experiences, recommended reading, forest facts, accompanying posters and charts.
Download your copy here (FREE until December 31)
Free Birds for All WEBINAR – October 26, 2023. 2-3 pm MT/1-2 pm PT. Watch the webinar recording, access abundant resources that were shared, and see the webinar chat here.
Together for Birds includes three lessons (Don’t miss the download button above so you can access the lessons).
PLT provides downloadable student pages and additional resources for each:
Connecting to Standards
Idaho Standards-ELA/Math/Science: Birds and Bugs
Idaho Standards-ELA/Math/Science: Neighborhood + Backyard Naturalist
Idaho Standards-ELA/Science: Trees as Habitats
Next Generation Science Standards
Common Core English Language Arts and Math
Connecting to Careers
Read how Lindsey Webb, a Senior Wildlife Biologist for Manulife Investment Management Timberland and Agriculture Inc (Manulife), manages forests for valuable habitat for wildlife, including birds at Forest Careers: For the Birds.
Local Resources
Teachin’ Turkey – FREE event for teachers! (Space is limited)
October 26, 2023. 4:30-6:30 pm, MK Nature Center, 600 S Walnut, Boise
Email lori.wilson@idfg.idaho.gov for more information and to sign up.
Wildlife Express from Idaho Fish and Game is a wonderful online newspaper for elementary readers. To support your Together for Birds learning, we recommend the Songbirds issue from April 2021 and the Forest Grouse issue from October 2020. Don’t miss the associated learning activities here and here. Be sure to check out other timeless archived titles.
Science Trek from Idaho Public Television is another terrific educational resource, with videos and other educational materials. To support your Together for Birds learning, we recommend these topics:
Bird Migration
Birds of Prey
Owls
Urban Wildlife
Forests and Wildlife activity sheet
Wildlife Habitat varies from forest to forest
Why Forest Animals Live Where They Do
Idaho Birding Trail – over 250 sites statewide
Streaming/on-demand
Two minute video about habitat needs of wildlife, including birds
Bluebird Man: Al Larsen Bluebird Recovery Documentary
Idaho PTV: Dialogue – The Making of Bluebird Man
Building Wood Birdhouses
Building Birdhouses to Attract Insect-Eating Birds – UI Extension
Building Homes for Idaho Bluebirds – Idaho Fish and Game
More Resources
Birds and Worms Family Activity
Birds and Worms Simulation Game
Introduce students to urban birdwatching
Attract birds – and other wildlife – to your yard
Everything is connected: The benefits of native bird, insect and tree species