National Schoolyard Birding Challenge (NSBC)
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
* Fledging Birders is a component of the Education Programs developed by National Biodiversity Parks
The simplest answer is that bird watching is beneficial to your students!
The process of bird watching allows students to exercise their observation
and analytical skills in an intrinsically motivating context. The innate curiosity
of youth combines with the enthralling nature of wildlife to provide an
educational field experience at each outing.
The students will build their communication skills and sense of camaraderie
as they work together to find, identify, and record the various species. They
will improve spatial awareness abilities as they articulate to their team
mates where a particular bird can be found. As they critically observe the
birds, they will use descriptive language to help each other identify the
species.
As they observe a single bird and take in the details, the students are also
building their ability to attend to tasks. This can be very effective for students
with ADD/ADHD or behavioral concerns because they are finding their own
strategies to self-monitor their behaviors. With a bit of guidance, this crucial
skill can be generalized for their benefit (and yours!) in the classroom setting.
Bird watching can also reinforce many concepts related to ALL curriculum
areas. Please contact NSBC for help in connecting the contest to YOUR
specific classroom needs.
Of course, bird watching is also a fun activity that can be very relaxing. Early
morning birding during fall or spring migration can give your students a nice
start to their day. An after school stroll around campus could help them wind
down before heading home. This may even become a lifelong form of stress
relief for some of your students.
The process of bird watching allows students to exercise their observation
and analytical skills in an intrinsically motivating context. The innate curiosity
of youth combines with the enthralling nature of wildlife to provide an
educational field experience at each outing.
The students will build their communication skills and sense of camaraderie
as they work together to find, identify, and record the various species. They
will improve spatial awareness abilities as they articulate to their team
mates where a particular bird can be found. As they critically observe the
birds, they will use descriptive language to help each other identify the
species.
As they observe a single bird and take in the details, the students are also
building their ability to attend to tasks. This can be very effective for students
with ADD/ADHD or behavioral concerns because they are finding their own
strategies to self-monitor their behaviors. With a bit of guidance, this crucial
skill can be generalized for their benefit (and yours!) in the classroom setting.
Bird watching can also reinforce many concepts related to ALL curriculum
areas. Please contact NSBC for help in connecting the contest to YOUR
specific classroom needs.
Of course, bird watching is also a fun activity that can be very relaxing. Early
morning birding during fall or spring migration can give your students a nice
start to their day. An after school stroll around campus could help them wind
down before heading home. This may even become a lifelong form of stress
relief for some of your students.
Why should teachers participate?
| Online NSBC Submission Forms Eastern North America Western North America NEW JERSEY ONLY Get ready for the 2008-2009 season starting this fall! |
| Record bird observations in the Fledging Birders' SBC Field Journal! |
