The Asa Wright Nature Center, on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, offers a diversity of wildlife species: 108 mammals, 400 birds, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians, and over 600 butterflies. Learning opportunities include art and photography instruction, lectures, interpretive nature walks, annual resident seminars, and a two-day trip to Tobago. (MH)

Various winter activities and experiences for young children are suggested. These include a getting ready for winter walk in the fall, winter birds, winter clothing, traveling in winter, winter sky watch, and others. (JN)

Shows the path to professionalization through four phases of ornithological discourse history, drawing upon articles in "The Auk," published from 1890-90. States that, originally a single discourse form, the personal narrative of natural history served ornithological science. Finds that a gap between science and public understanding was…

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)

A simple and effective field exercise that demonstrates factors affecting predation on bird nests is described. With instructor guidance, students in high school biology or college-level biology, ecology, animal behavior, wildlife management or ornithology laboratory courses can collaborate to design field experiments related to nest depredation.

An African gray parrot, taught to employ the vocalization "want" before an object label so as to discriminate functional labeling from requesting, subsequently generalized "want" to novel situations. The findings of the study indicate that the training procedure might be applicable to intervention programs for humans with…

Provides (1) background information on the many ways birds keep fit and are adapted to survive; (2) student activities on this topic; and (3) ready-to-copy materials (a game, worksheet, and coloring pages). Each activity includes an objective, recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. (JN)

This 23-minute videotape for grades 5-8, presents the myriad of animal life that exists on the planet. Students can view and perform experiments and investigations that help explain animal traits and habits. There are many different types of birds, over 9,000 different species. While not all birds take to the air, they all have feathers. Students…

Describes science activities related to Christmas and Thanksgiving, including identification of evergreen trees, tree shapes, pine cone and needle collections, edible decorations, and instructions for preparing bird food called "bird pudding." (SK)

An activity simulating natural selection in which wild birds are predators, green and brown pastry "baits" are prey, and trays containing colored stones as the backgrounds is presented. Two different methods of measuring selection are used to describe the results. The materials and methods, results, and discussion are included. (KR)

Presents three science activities targeted to help urban students learn about nature: (1) observing coloration patterns of pigeons; (2) measuring local rainfall and comparing it to other areas; and (3) conducting a biodiversity study by observing a patch of lawn. (YDS)

This paper uses narrative and reflective methodologies to examine pedagogical practices that enable the production of meaningful relationships. I suggest that the term "fields of influence" encapsulates practices that enable some people to influence relationships with others. The narrative invites readers to consider how the embodied qualities…

Outlines the approach used to teach ornithology to pupils in one British school system via a two-year course. The full text of the syllabus for the course is included as an appendix to the article. (PEB)

Presents background information and activities that focus on how birds are classified, how they are different from other animals, and the main characteristics of the class "Aves." Activities include an objective, recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. Two ready-to-copy pages with bird illustrations are…

Provides (1) background information on ways birds affect humans and how humans affect birds; (2) student activities on this topic; and (3) ready-to-copy materials (crossword puzzle and worksheet). Each activity includes an objective, recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. (JN)