BACKGROUND
Birds are indicators of environmental health. Many species indicate the results of human interaction and environmental changes. In simple terms, birds represent the "litmus paper of the environment." Birds are capable of traveling incredible distances in their migratory movements. For example, the Black Poll Warbler flies 2,550 miles non-stop in 4 days and nights. Wetlands play an important role in replenishing the incredible energy reserves that birds need to complete their journey. In human terms, these birds often find filthy rest stops, empty gas stations, and motels with no vacancy signs. It is very important that students propose the questions to investigate causes and possible solutions to the population decline. To get students started you could pose questions like:
STANDARDS
This lesson addresses the following California
Science Content Standards.
Grade 6 5a: Energy entering ecosystems as sunlight is transferred by producers into chemical
energy through photosynthesis, and then from organism to organism in food webs. 5b: Over time, matter is transferred from one organism to others in the food web, and
between organisms and the physical environment. 5c: Populations of organisms can be categorized by the functions they serve in an
ecosystem. 5e: The number and types of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and abiotic factors, such as quantity of light and water, range of temperatures, and soil composition. 7b: Select and use appropriate tools and technology (including calculators, computers,
balances, spring scales, microscopes, and binoculars) to perform tests, collect data, and
display data. 7c: Construct appropriate graphs from data and develop qualitative statements about the
relationships between variables. 7d: Communicate the steps and results from an investigation in written reports and verbal
presentations. 7e: Recognize whether evidence is consistent with a proposed explanation.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In this lesson, students in grades 5-12 should be able to accomplish the following:
Here are some suggested activities to do as further investigations related to this topic.
Why have birds been termed "environmental indicators"?, or
What are some of the things that have been done to counteract conditions that adversely affect birds?
Life, Earth, & Physical
Sciences
Investigation &
Experimentation
i.e. as a food source biological control agent (insect control, etc...)
STUDENTS
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