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This two-volume guide presents ingredients for developing a culturally relevant curriculum for American Indian students in the primary grades. A survey of Indian literature for young children yielded eight topic areas included here. The suggested approach to curriculum development is the integration of reading, language arts, math, and science based upon the Indian literature and other resources. Materials and activities are aligned with challenging content standards. Also included are ideas for art activities and promotion of tribal values. Indian studies classes and regular classes should be coordinated around the topic area so that Native language and cultural activities complement classroom instruction. The topic also provides a context for language instruction. Activities for parents and tutors are included as part of a comprehensive approach. The guide begins with descriptions of the roles of administrators, parents and tutors, and teachers and aides in creating a sacred place for learning. The eight units in these two volumes cover birds; sun, moon, and stars; food; beavers to buffalo; hares to horses; art; earth, air, water, and fire; and music and dance. Each 4-week unit contains background information on the topic, a suggested outline for formulating activities from American Indian literature, information about the suggested literature, further resources on the topic, a vocabulary list, content standards, example activities developed by teachers of Indian children, pages for teacher ideas and lesson plans, and nursery rhymes and poetry. A final section of the guide lists additional resources and where to get books. (SV)

In this activity, students construct bird nests and birdhouses. Students research a bird of their choice in order to design a house that will meet that bird's specific needs. The activity works well in conjunction with a high school level woodshop class where students would partner up. This activity requires an 80-minute time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

This packet provides information on the balance between the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and modern forestry in Texas. A set of classroom activities about the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and its habitat for grades 3-6, and a booklet, a pamphlet, and a poster are featured. Sections of the booklet include: (1) "The Red-cockaded Woodpecker"; (2) "Historic Range of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Texas"; (3) "Present Range of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Texas (1998)"; (4) "Why is It Vulnerable and Why is It Endangered?"; (5) "How Can We Bring Them Back?"; (6) "What is The Landowner Incentive Program?"; and (7) "Partners in Flight." Activity sections include: (1) "Prescribed Burning for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker"; (2) "Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Lap Sit"; (3) "What Would You Do?"; (4) "Wordfind"; and (5) "Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Math Activity." (CCM)

This booklet argues against the use of school bird-hatching projects, citing a variety of environmental and ethical concerns about such projects. Alternative resources and suggestions for alternative activities are presented. (WRM)

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)

This publication is the result of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division's (TPWD's) commitment to education and the fertile partnerships formed between TPWD biologists and educators. This activity book brings together the expertise and practical knowledge of a classroom teacher with the technical knowledge and skills of a TPWD biologist and artist. Students read stories of animals and plants that are considered endangered. Animals include the black-footed ferret, the red-cockaded woodpecker, the peregrine falcon, the greater long-nosed bat, the golden-cheeked warbler, the black-capped vireo, the ocelot, the whooping crane, and the Houston toad. (CCM)

This teaching packet is designed to teach Alaskan students in grades 4-6 about Alaska's seabird populations, the worldwide significance of seabirds, and the environmental conditions to which seabirds are sensitive. The packet includes a curriculum guide (containing a teacher's background story and 12 teaching activities), a separately published "Guide to Alaskan seabirds," an issue of a guide to Alaskan seabirds, Zoobooks seabirds magazine, and a full color poster promoting the protection of seabirds. The magazine issue and the poster are not included with ERIC's copy. Topics covered include seabird identification, food webs, population dynamics, predator/prey relationships, adaptations of seabirds to their habitats, traditional uses by people, and potential adverse impacts to seabirds and their habitats. The interdisciplinary activities are sequenced so that important concepts are built upon one another. In addition, schools requesting a workshop on this material receive a seabird slide set, a "Trashing the Oceans" video, and a NOAA marine debris information packet.(DDR)

This is the first program in the Science Safari series produced by the Fairfax Network of the Fairfax County Public Schools. The series and the accompanying print materials are designed to show students a broad spectrum of animal life, introduce students to a variety of people who work with animals, and help students become aware of the important role they play in the future of the animal kingdom. Activities related to beaks and feet, hunting for food, migration headaches, destination Mexico, colors of migration, and pre- and post-viewing activities are included. Lists of research projects and resources are also included. (JRH)

This curriculum guide integrates the concepts of chick embryology into mathematics, science, and language arts lesson plans for Grades 4 and 5. The four lessons comprising the unit can be utilized in sequence or as independent lessons within the classroom curriculum. Lesson 1 enables students to identify the parts of an egg. Lesson 2 examines the nutritional value of eggs and the number of foods that use eggs as an ingredient. Lesson 3 identifies ideal incubator conditions in hatching eggs. Lesson 4 provides an experiment in which students investigate the structural strength of an egg. A curriculum matrix provides a planning format that contains program objectives, subject area objectives, and activities for each lesson. Each lesson includes background information, a list of materials needed for the lesson, teaching procedures, activity worksheets, and instruments to assess student understanding. An appendix contains support materials for conducting a chick embryo unit where fertilized eggs are incubated and hatched that includes an incubation/embryology check list, an incubator daily record form, a list of reasons for poor hatches, instructions on what to do after the chicks hatch, questions most asked by teachers, and questions most asked by students. Additional resources include a post-test, a cross-word puzzle, a word scramble, and the corresponding answer keys. Contains nine references. (MDH)

This teacher guide and student workbook set contains two learning activities, designed for fifth through ninth grade students, that concentrate on the adaptations of shorebird beaks for a variety of habitats and food sources, and the effect of toxic chemicals in the food chain on the birds. In activity A, students discover how shorebirds are adapted for feeding by simulating species of shorebirds with beaks of different shapes and sizes, using everyday objects. They gather different food items with different beak types. They compare feeding success and survival to these adaptations. In activity B, students play a tag game simulating organisms in a food chain and observe the concentration of toxic chemicals through the food chain. As prerequisites for participation in these activities, students should be somewhat familiar with the concepts of adaptation and food chains and be able to construct bar graphs. The teacher's guide includes additional information to aid in processing the activities. Extension activities are provided along with suggested references, review questions and student worksheets. (MCO)

This education kit was compiled by Iowa's Nongame Program to celebrate the successful reintroduction of the peregrine falcon (Cedar Rapids, July 1989) after its near extinction in the state in the 1960s. This resource unit was developed to enhance the education of students and teachers in Iowa about endangered species and specifically the peregrine falcon. An introduction provides a historical perspective of the human/falcon relationship as well as information on falconry, including falconry in Iowa. Nine lesson plans address the following topics: (1) survival characteristics of peregrine falcons (grades 3-4); (2) characteristics of raptors--birds of prey (grades 5-6); (3) special adaptations of birds--feet and beaks (grades 3-8); (4) peregrine migration patterns (grades 7-8); (5) the human connection--the effects of pesticides (grades 3-6); (6) survival factors (grades 3-6); (7) the human connection--the effect of tropical forest destruction (grades 7-8); (8) efforts to recover endangered species, especially the peregrine falcon in Iowa (grades 5-6); and (9) a review (grades 3-8). Lesson plans include objective(s), method(s), background information, and, selectively: materials, vocabulary, procedures, extension activities, instructions for games, illustrations, and answers to questions. Additional materials include a glossary, Iowa peregrine fact sheet and illustration comparing the peregrine falcon and American kestrel (sparrow hawk), newsletter articles about the peregrine recovery program in Iowa including the reintroduction logo, and black and white illustrations to be used with the lesson material. A certificate of achievement completes the kit. (AA)

Explains forest fragmentation, the destruction of physical habitats for animals such as birds and points out the importance of studies on habitat and biodiversity. Introduces project ideas for songbird populations and their habitats which can be conducted in backyards or schoolyards. (YDS)

Describes a project in which 5th grade students study eastern bluebirds, their habits, habitats, and interactions with other species over the course of the school year. Includes the project schedule, a student field journal sample, and resources. (KHR)

Presents stories that illustrate how children learned lessons about the nature of science. These lessons include such ideas as observing closely and keep records, accessing resources, and collaborating with each other. Describes the use of a classroom bird station and nature walks in accomplishing the goals. (DDR)

Discusses questions such as how birds fly and the meaning of bird songs. Explains the relationship between birds and ecological activism and points out the excitement in research and observation of birds. (Contains 34 references.) (YDS)

Describes several hummingbird adaptations and suggests ways of attracting hummingbirds to schoolyards and including them in the curriculum. Provides hummingbird feeder tips along with a list of ideas for designing inquiry-based activities related to hummingbird behavior. Also provides a hummingbird quiz, two instructional games, and a listing of helpful web-based resources. (DLH)

Introduces the concept of the flat bird, which is a life-size color cutout of a bird, and uses flat birds to introduce the study of birds. Includes suggestions for teaching about common characteristics of birds and information on resource materials. (YDS)

Discusses the importance of studying nectar biology. Describes how to extract nectar from various flowers, measure nectar volume, determine sugar concentration, and determine caloric value per nectar sample. These data are then related to hummingbird energetics to determine how many flowers are required to supply the pollinator with its caloric needs. (SAH)

Describes the effects of human behavior on the avian population, particularly cormorants, which are scientifically named Phalacrocorax auritus. Explains the hazards of pesticides, especially DDT, on cormorant eggs and bird population. Discusses federal and state laws on the hunting of cormorants and other fish-eating birds. Lists internet resources. (YDS)

Discusses the increasing interest of the public in nature and art of the 18th and 19th centuries, and making watercolor painting a part of the curriculum. Focuses on the works and publishing of Gwillim, Wilson, Audubon, and Peterson. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)

Describes an activity to help students understand how feathers help insulate a bird's body. (WRM)

These individualized self-paced student materials for a high school/postsecondary-level course for meatcutters are one of a number of military-developed curriculum packages selected for adaptation to vocational instruction and curriculum development in a civilian setting. The five-chapter course discusses the knowledge required of meatcutters to perform their tasks efficiently. (Chapter 1 has been deleted due to military-specific materials.) Chapter 2, Operation and Maintenance of Meatcutting Equipment, covers use of knives, knife pouches, the butcher's steel, handsaws, boning hooks, dough cutters, and sharpening stones. Chapter 3, Receipt and Storage, discusses check-in procedures for meat received; in what forms beef, veal, lamb, pork, and poultry are received; and where, when, and how to store these meats. Chapter 4, Processing and Preparing Meats, discusses characteristics of meats, bone structure, meat processing, barbecuing meat and poultry, and salvaging procedures. Chapter 5, Wrapping and Pricing Retail Meat Cuts, explains proper packaging and display procedures and equipment and supplies needed. Chapter 6, Meat Department Management, covers four general areas: equipment, planning and scheduling, inspections and evaluation, and tests and pricing procedures. Contents include texts and practice exercises in each chapter, an eighty-question volume review exercise (no answers available), and practice exercise answers. (YLB)

One of the basic principles of the Language Development Approach is that students must learn the language necessary to understand, talk, and write about all subject areas in order to succeed in school. This book contains information about teaching primary school science in the Northwest Territories with lessons that emphasize language. The goals of the unit are to (1) develop student language proficiency; (2) provide opportunities for students to use language in many different situations and for many different purposes; (3) develop student listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking skills including the science process skills; and (4) expand student knowledge of the science concepts related to birds. Following a section on resources (background information on birds, resources included with this unit--various pictures of birds, related English materials--magazines, lists of children's books about birds, teacher's resources, films, etc., and related native language materials), lesson plans on six topics (living/non-living things, appearance and behavior, habitat of birds, food, life cycle, and people and birds) are presented. Activity ideas for science/social studies, mathematics, language arts, music/poems/stories, art, physical education/movement, and special activities are suggested. Each lesson plan contains the following segments--exercises or activities: English vocabulary, English sentence patterns, English language concepts, special materials required, concept development/language exposure, language practice, and application. Poems, songs, and stories on this subject conclude the guide. The lessons are appropriate for students whose first language is English as well as for students who are learning English as a second language. (PR/CW)

These instructor materials and student texts, study guides, and workbooks for a postsecondary-level course to train veterinary specialists are one of a number of military-developed curriculum packages selected for adaptation to vocational instruction and curriculum development in a civilian setting. It is the second half of a two-part course (see Note) intended to provide training in food inspection; laboratory procedures; subprofessional duties concerning veterinary sciences; sanitary surveillance of food processing, storage, and service facilities; control and epidemiology of zoonotic diseases; and veterinary aspects of disaster medicine. Dealing with poultry and egg inspection, dairy products, miscellaneous foods, food technology, and animal services, this section contains five blocks of instruction covering eighty-eight hours of instruction: Dairy and Dairy Products (2 lessons), Miscellaneous Foods (2 lessons), Food Technology (2 lessons), and Animal Service and Zoonoses Control Activities (4 lesons). Instructor materials include a course chart, Speciality Training, for use in student evaluation, lesson plans, and a plan of instruction detailing unit content, lesson duration, objectives, and support material. Student materials include seven student texts, student workbook, and three study guide/workbooks. Contents are objectives, text readings, review exercises, and laboratory experiments. Commerical texts, military manuals, and audiovisuals are suggested but not provided. (YLB)

Southeast Alaska's birds and wetlands are the subject of this elementary school teacher's guide and student workbook. Included are classroom activities and field investigations which address: (1) bird identification, habitats, adaptation, and conservation; and (2) the inhabitants, ecology and value of estuaries. Workbook activities involve the development of vocabulary and reading skills using birds and wetlands as subject matter. A list of resource materials and a guide for organizing field trips are included. (WB)

Discusses the work of two authors--Lawrence Kilham and Alexander Skutch--who write about birds. Highlights books about birds written by different authors. Contains 23 references. (JRH)

This curriculum guide is the fourth (Series V) in a six-volume set that comprises the Sea Week Curriculum Series developed in Alaska. Twelve units contain 45 activities with worksheets that cover the following topics: (1) bird lists and field guides; (2) definitions of a bird; (3) parts of a bird; (4) bird watching; (5) bird migration; (6) wetland habitats; (7) nests and nesting; (8) wetland plants and animals; (9) wetlands field trip; (10) birds and people; (11) wetlands values, habitat protection, and development; and (12) a birds and wetlands review. Activities sharpen skills in language arts, science, social studies, math, music, art, and physical education. An introduction provides information designed to help teachers become familiar with the contents of the curriculum guide and to assist in planning. Each unit contains descriptive information on activity objectives, materials, and procedures. An annotated bibliography contains 152 resources. A packet of teacher reproducible worksheet masters accompanies the curriculum guide and contains a 64-word student glossary. A student field guide to common Alaska birds provides a small illustration and range map along with behavioral information for 100 birds. (LZ)

This curriculum guide is the first (Series I) in a six-volume set that comprises the Sea Week Curriculum Series developed in Alaska. As a basic introduction, this first book in the series lends itself to the kindergarten level but can be adapted to preschool, secondary, and adult education. Six units contain 32 activities with worksheets that cover the following topics: (1) the ocean; (2) wetlands; (3) marine animals; (4) seashore animals; (5) seaweed; and (6) birds of wetlands, rivers, and seashores. An introduction provides information designed to help teachers become familiar with the contents of the curriculum guide and to assist in planning. Each unit contains information on student objectives, and activity background, vocabulary, materials, and procedure. Activities engage students in interdisciplinary projects that involve the skills of communicating, modeling, tasting, counting, listening, drawing, painting, writing, comparing, role playing, identifying, and observing. An annotated bibliography contains 118 resources divided according to unit. A packet of teacher reproducible worksheet masters accompanies the curriculum guide. (LZ)

Describes a unit involving the study of birds in order to help students become more aware of and appreciate their natural surroundings. (MKR)

Describes an integrated unit on bluebirds that culminates in students building bluebird boxes and creating an informational pamphlet to raise public awareness of the bluebirds' plight. Enables students to become more involved in their community and the environment. (JRH)

Tells how hummingbirds can serve as a source of information and fun for children, including a rationale for attracting and teaching about hummingbirds and the outdoors. Explains that children need first-hand knowledge of nature and gives details on attracting hummingbirds and selecting safe plants for a hummingbird garden. (BGC)

This illustrated book presents the natural world that exists right outside the door through a series of projects, experiments, and activities that are simple enough for young children to do. Activities are divided into six sections: (1) Insects and Worms; (2) Birds; (3) Backyard Animals; (4) Seeds; (5) Plant Magic; and (6) Soil, Air, and Water. Contains references and an index. (JRH)

Presents activities to stimulate student interest in nature. Includes activity ideas to learn about birds, astronomy, weather, wildlife, and water resources. Also contains contact information for four agencies that provide additional activities. (MKR)

Describes a project in which 7th and 8th grade students learned lasting lessons about habitat when they built nesting boxes and erected them in a local park. Students deepened their understanding of environmental issues and gained a sense of pride. Includes instructions for building nesting boxes. (NB)

This unit is part of the Understanding Our Environment project that is designed to engage students in investigating specific environmental problems through concrete activities and direct experience. Students begin by researching the migratory songbirds that live in their community. They determine the bird's roles in the ecosystems and their requirements for survival. The investigations explore the importance of energy, cycles, and organism interactions in maintaining a stable system. The unit concludes with students using their new knowledge to create a wildlife habitat at their school or homes to study these birds and other wildlife. Objectives include: learning which migratory birds are in the neighborhood and where they go for the rest of the year, examining the role of a local migratory bird in each of its ecosystems, understanding the concept of a food web, exploring the flow of energy through ecosystems, learning about the cycling of matter through the environment, understanding the interdependence of living things and the importance of biodiversity to ecosystems, relating human activities to quality of the environment, and observing the interactions of birds and other wildlife by creating or improving a habitat at school or home. (JRH)

The goals of this program include enabling students to learn about the anatomy of an avian egg, egg formation, bird embryo development, and the process of egg incubation. This guide is designed to accompany the hands-on experience of incubation and hatching chicken eggs and is organized in three sections. The teaching materials section includes background information and directions for the student activities. Student reading sections provide information for students to enable them to understand incubation and hatching. The student activities section contains follow-up assignments that may be performed without the aid of an instructor. (DDR)

Describes three census activities concerning birds and butterflies that involve students in the actual collection of biological data. A Project Feederwatch data form is also included. (ZWH)