6th-8th Grade

Observe and Explore

Bird Observation and Identification

  • Develop a journal entry of bird observations. Using I notice and I wonder to document your learning.

  • Use the merlin bird ID app to ID various birds you see.

Bird Drawing

Challenge yourself to draw a bird you observe. Here is a link with some helpful tips. Include this in your journal or other medium of choice.

Bird Song Hero

The Bird Academy has a fantastic way to explore bird calls and practice identifying what you hear. Click here to access Bird Song Hero.

Investigate and discover

Be A Scientist

  • Categorize Your Questions. Here is a document that provides a basic overview. Here is a document that helps you organize your questions. Use the questions to begin research or help you develop your own investigation.

  • Design An Investigation, collect data and report your findings!

Build and Install a Nest Box

Use Project Nest Watch to guide you in the design and installation of a nest box in your backyard.

Help Your Backyard Habitat

Watch this video about creating suburban habitats. Some of the video is not practical for you to do today. However, you can use this video to brainstorm three ideas to improve your backyard habitat. In your journal, document three ideas you could do with a parent to improve your habitat. Set a goal to implement one new idea this spring. Be safe and include a parent on your decisions!

Read all about it

Dinner Discussion

  • What birds do we want to see or not see in our backyard?

  • When do you think we will see Robins active in our backyard? Why?

  • What are some things you noticed when you did your observations.

  • What are some questions you are going to want to research?

  • What do you like and not like about observing birds?

Share with the world

  • Use #ODCbackyardcrusade to share your learning from this week on social media

  • Email a photo to bob@outdoordiscovery.org so we can share it with our community.

Ideas of What to Share:

  • Take a picture of a bird in your backyard

  • Share what was the most common type of bird in your backyard

  • Share picture of backyard bird habitat

  • Share any evidence of learning or data collection

Beyond The Crusade