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| Bringing the joy AND BENEFITS of birding to our youth - to promote their healthy development and bird conservation. |
| Fledging Birders Institute P.O. Box 1774 Bellmawr, NJ 08099 logo developed by aclogodesign@aol.com Great Horned Owl and Red Knot images courtesy of www.scottelowitzphotography.com |
| Submit your SBC entries online! Eastern Region Western Region September entries must be received by October 12th! |
Welcome to the Schoolyard Birding Challenge!
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.
As seen in NJEA Review, bird watching can also reinforce important 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.
By the way, bird watching can also give YOUR morning a nice jump start or relaxing cool
down after a hectic day.
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.
As seen in NJEA Review, bird watching can also reinforce important 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.
By the way, bird watching can also give YOUR morning a nice jump start or relaxing cool
down after a hectic day.
Why should teachers participate in the Schoolyard Birding Challenge?