ERIC ED427955: Arctic-Nesting Shorebirds: Curriculum for Grades K-12. [Teacher's Guide.]

374 Pages·1998·5.5 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
SE 062 108
ED 427 955
Arctic-Nesting Shorebirds: Curriculum for Grades K-12.
TITLE
[Teacher's Guide.]
Fish and Wildlife Service (Dept. of Interior), Anchorage,
INSTITUTION
AK
1998-00-00
PUB DATE
432p.; Some additional materials extend beyond Appendix E
NOTE
and are not identified in the Table of Contents.
Education Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011
AVAILABLE FROM
E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503.
Guides - Classroom
Teacher (052)
PUB TYPE
MF01/PC18 Plus Postage.
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Animals; Biology; *Birds; *Educational Games; Elementary
DESCRIPTORS
Secondary Education; Inquiry; Knowledge Base for Teaching;
*Marine Biology; *Science Activities; *Science Curriculum;
Teaching Guides
.ABSTRACT
This teaching guide focuses on Arctic-nesting shorebirds.
The format of each section consists of background information, student
activities, observation and research ideas, and key words. Basic information
on how to use this curriculum and seven sections devoted to different aspects
of Arctic-nesting shorebird life are provided. Sections cover topics such as
general information about shorebirds, adaptations, habitat, nesting and
breeding habits, migration, the shorebird sister schools program, field
trips, and tying it all together. A bibliography and five appendices (A-E)
contain shorebird coloring pages, build a shorebird card masters, advanced
reading suggestions, advanced activities, shorebird field study card masters,
and additional information on shorebird species.
(DDR)
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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
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and Improvement
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INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)
ss document has been
reproduced as
received from the
person or organization
originating it.
0 Minor changes
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TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
Points of view or opinions
stated in this
document do not necessarily
represent
official OERI position
or policy.
ARCTIC-NESTING
SHOREBIRDS
Curriculum for Grades K-12
By Maureen de Zeeuw
Revised from:
"Shorebirds of the Pacific Flyway: an information and activity guide"
Editors:
Heather Johnson, Brad Andres and Cathy Rezabeck
illustrators:
George West and Maureen de Zeeuw
'U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1011 East Tudor Road
D.k1
Anchorage, AK 99503
1998
EST COPY
AVAILENA
2
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Arctic-Nesting Shorebirds Curriculum was written by Maureen de Zeeuw. Illustrations, unless
otherwise credited, were provided by George West and Maureen de Zeeuw. Editors
were Heather
Johnson, Brad Andres and Cathy Rezabeck.
Arctic-Nesting Shorebirds was expanded from Shorebirds of the Pacific Flyway:
an
information and activity guide, distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
at the Alaska
Maritime National Wildlife Refuge office in Homer, Alaska. Several of the activities have
been
adapted from Project WILD, Alaska Wildlife Curriculum, and other curricula from around the
U.S. which are referenced in the activities and in the bibliography
on the last pages.
The author would like to thank the following individuals for their invaluable contributions,
advice,
and assistance: Kathy Cardarelle, Brian de Zeeuw, Amy Van Hatten, Diana Braun,
Kari Sagel, and
the students of Galena City School in Galena. Alaska. Special thanks
are also due to Mary and
Adrian de Zeeuw Sr., Adrian de Zeeuw Jr., Valerie Sloane, Carrie Fennimore, and
the late David
Jaynes.
This project was funded by a Challenge Grant, awarded
to the Division of External Affairs, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.
Partial support for this project was provided by Nongame Migratory Bird
Management, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.
ARCTIC-NESTING
SHOREBIRDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Grades
INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
1
INTRODUCTION TO SHOREBIRDS
Chapter Concepts
3
General Information
What Are Shorebirds?
5
Activities
4-12
Shorebird Profiles
11
Student Readings:
Western Sandpiper
13
15
Dun lin
17
Dowitcher
Black-bellied Plover
19
Student Worksheet
21
23
3-12
Anatomy of a Shorebird Diagrams
25
Student Worksheets
Additional Activities
27
K-12
28
Key Words
ADAPTATIONS
29
Chapter Concepts
General Information
Shorebird Adaptations
31
Activities
32
Build a Shorebird
2-9
40
2-8
What Can I Eat With This Beak?
42
Student Worksheet
44
6-9
Avian Olympics
48
Student Worksheet
Additional Activity/Observation/Research Ideas
51
K-12
53
Key Words
HABITAT
Chapter Concepts
55
General Information
Shorebirds Depend on Three Habitats
57
What is a Wetland?
60
Activities
Five Types of Wetlands Frequently Used by Shorebirds
3-12
61
.
Additional Activities
64
K-12
Student Readings:
Stream and River Corridors
66
Tundra
68
Marshes
70
Rocky Intertidal
72
Mudflats and Sandy Beaches
74
Wetland Metaphors
2-9
76
Match the Habitat Cards
5-12
79
Describe a Local Habitat
4-12
85
Map Your Habitats
2-12
86
Letter Writing
2-12
89
Additional Activity/Observation/Research Ideas
90
K-12
Key Words
93
NESTING AND BREEDING
Chapter Concepts
95
General Information
Nesting and Breeding
97
Activities
Guard Your Nest
2-7
102
BehaveYourself!
2-8
108
You be the Scientist
5-12
113
Bubble Map
4-12
117
Gee Whiz Facts:
Eggs and Nests
120
Additional Activity/Observations/Research Ideas
K-12
121
Key Words
125
MIGRATION
Chapter Concepts
127
General Information
The Magnificent Migrant
129
Bird Banding
135
Activities
Migration Headache
138
2-8
Migration Math Madness
4-9 142
Student Reading
143
144
Map
Shorebird Circle Puzzle
3-12
145
Bird's Eye View
2-12
147
Bird Beans
2-10
148
Student Reading: Sampling Populations
153
Student Worksheet
154
Banded Birds
155
2-12
Gee Whiz Facts:
Migration
164
Additional Activity/Observation/Research Ideas
165
K-12
Key Words
168
SHOREBIRD SISTER SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Using the Internet and
E-mail to Teach Students about Shorebirds
169
FIELD TRIPS
Chapter Contents
173
Teacher Information
Peak Migration Dates
175
176
Checklist
Suggestions
178
Group Management Hints
180
Etiquette
181
183
Safety
Video Hints
184
Pre-Trip Activities
Field Guide & Glasses Practice
186
4-8
Map & Miles Study
189
3-9
Making Sampling Equipment
190
5-9
Field Trip Activities
Shorebird Field Study
192
K-12
Student Worksheet
193
Shorebird Observation Record Sheets
195
Cast a Track
197
2-9
Mud Creature Studies
199
K-12
Student Reading
201
202
Invertebrates Forms
204
Techniques for Viewing with Sampling Equipment
205
Diagrams: Marvelous Mud Meals
207
Sampling Populations in the Field
8-12
Post-Trip Activities
Dunlins and Foxes Game
2-6
212
Sharing Circle
213
2-7
Data Analysis
214
4-9
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER
Chapter Concepts
215
Activities
Decision Dilemmas
6-10
217
Dilemma Cards
223
Shorebird Wax Museum
224
2-5
A Year (or Week or Day) in My Life as a Shorebird
3-12
226
Shorebird Poetry
3-12
228
Can Do: Wetlands!
7-12
229
Sharing and Review Activities
Shorebird News
7-12
232
Shorebird Speeches and Listening Tests
5-12
234
Shorebirds on Display
4-12
236
Shorebird Fair
K-12
237
Review Activities
Wild Spellers!
2-6
239
Shorebird Jeo-Bird-y
5-12
241
BIBLIOGRAPHY
251
APPENDICES
Shorebird Coloring Pages
Appendix A
"Build a Shorebird" Card Masters
Appendix B
Nesting and Breeding Advanced Wormation Reading,
Student Worksheet, Worksheet Answer Key,
and Additional Activities for Advanced Reading
Appendix C
"Shorebird Field Study" Task Card Masters
Appendix D
Additional Information on Shorebird Species
Appendix E
7
INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
Arctic-Nesting Shorebirds contains information and activities designed to help students develop a
variety of academic and life skills while learning about migratory shorebirds, shorebird habitat, and
the significance of human interaction with both. Most activities are adaptable for use whether you
live near a shorebird breeding or wintering area, migratory stop-over sites, or in a geographic
region that hosts birds for a combination of these.
Although the activities are written primarily for grades 2 through 12, some, including field trips,
can easily be modified for younger children. "Additional Activities" sections at the end of chapters
also include lessons for younger students. Substantial background "General Information" is
included on various aspects of shorebird life history. This information is written at adult reading
level and intended primarily for supplementary use by middle/high school teachers or students, or
for other interested teachers. "Key Words" are listed at the end of each chapter (after "Additional
Activities"). These key words are italicized in bold where they appear in the text.
FIELD TRIPS
Timing:
The field trip is an ideal focal point for the study of shorebirds. Plan ahead because
timing of field trips is very important. You want to ensure that students have the best chance to see
some shorebirds! If you are not familiar with the timing of the occurrence of shorebirds in your
area, contact a local resource person, or see the Shorebird Sister Schools Program (see page 169)
or the Field Trip section (page 175).
Adivities: Although a chapter specifically on field trips is included, be sure and skim the entire
curriculum before you arrange a trip. Several activities that appear in other chapters can be used
with field trips or will be enhanced by directed observations made in the field.
OTHER TIPS BEFORE YOU START
Consider videotaping, or having students videotape, some activities and community participation
during the course of your shorebird unit. Videotapes are fun to make and can be very useful for
learning by watching one's work or performance. Videos also provide a means of sharing
experiences with others in a Parent Night or Fair.
Have your students make, or provide your students with, small notebooks dedicated to their
shorebird investigations or activities. Consider investing in waterproof paper. "Rite-in-the-Rain"
waterproof notebooks are available in forestry or research supply stores, but may be expensive.
Recruit a team of parents, elders, and government or research specialists to help with your
shorebird unit.
Begin a collection of current newspaper and magazine articles on a related theme like habitats,
human use of wildlife habitats or resources, threats to habitat, or migratory animals. (Students can
help with this collection.) These articles can come in handy for activities with older students that
focus on these subjects or skills such as writing, comparison-making, journalism, or careful and
critical reading, to name just a few.
Begin the unit by giving an oral or written pre-test on shorebirds. For example, you can give
students 5 minutes to do a fast-write on everything they (think they) know about shorebirds. Use
this information for directional ideas as well as end-of-unit comparisons.
1
INTRODUCTION TO
SHOREBIRDS
CONCEPTS:
Shorebirds are birds specially adapted to live in open land and often near
water.
Many shorebirds are migratory.
Arctic-nesting shorebirds form some of the largest migratory flocks of all
the species of vertebrates.
Learning about representative species of shorebirds can help us learn
about shorebirds in general.
Information -
- General
WHAT ARE SHOREBIRDS?
11)
Land and water - they are the two most basic geographic features of the Earth's surface. What
happens along the narrow lines where these two great bodies meet? This fragile strip contains
planet. It is enriched by life-
some of the greatest diversity (variety of living organisms) on our
sustaining water, yet must also endure some very powerful natural forces. It is called the shore,
and it is land which faces regularly and irregularly-changing periods of drying out, dampness, or
flooding beneath water; a tremendously fluctuating range of salinity; and erosion by wind and
water.
Organisms that live in this precious environment have adapted to thrive in these conditions.
Shorebirds are a group of special birds which are adapted to live near these coasts or shores.
Because of their habit, particularly during their spectacular migrations, of walking through water
and mud to.find food, Europeans call these long-legged birds "waders".
Each spring and fall, enormous flocks of shorebirds swarm along the coasts in great migrations.
It is a thrilling sight when the shore comes alive with feeding birds, or a flock swiftly wheels and
turns in flight. These flocks pulse to and fro with the cycles of the tides, and, on a broader scale,
with the cycles of the seasons. Shorebirds eat, breed, travel, and rest as a part of these cycles of
nature.
Shorebirds are more accurately described as birds of open land, including, but not limited to, the
shore. Shorebirds include the sandpipers, plovers, oystercatchers, snipes, and stilts, among
others.
Besides their regular migrations, their lifestyle includes other highly developed rituals of behavior,
including elaborate courtship displays. Most of us have never had the pleasure of witnessing these
displays because many migratory shorebirds nest in remote Arctic tundra or open grassland.