Bird populations
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=439
A lesson plan for Grades 9–12 Earth/Environmental Science
About this resource
- Appropriate grades
- 9–12
- Subjects
- science (environmental science)
- Provider
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
Legal
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The goal of this lesson is to demonstrate how scientists determine patterns and changes in bird populations. After engaging students in discussion about how scientists conduct investigations, the teacher questions student knowledge about data collection. Then, the students list definitions or pre-understandings of how bird population movement might be characterized. Then, students discuss how scientists track changes in the human population and how this might apply to animal populations. Students look closely at bird populations using web resources from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Finally, students explore the different movements of bird populations in greater detail by visiting the “Movements of Bird Populations” website. Students write a short answer essay explaining the differences between the four types of population movements described in the Movements of Bird Populations resource. Science NetLinks provides links to the student handout and other necessary web resources.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grades 9–12 — Earth/Environmental Science
- Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.
- Objective 1.01: Identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.05: Analyze reports of scientific investigations and environmental issues from an informed scientifically literate viewpoint including considerations of:
- Appropriate sample.
- Adequacy of experimental controls.
- Replication of findings.
- Alternative interpretations of the data.
- Objective 1.06: Identify and evaluate a range of possible solutions to earth and environmental issues at the local, national, and global level including considerations of:
- Interdependent human and natural systems.
- Diverse perspectives.
- Short and long range impacts.
- Economic development, environmental quality and sustainability.
- Opportunities for and consequences of personal decisions.
- Risks and benefits of technological advances.
