Research the types of fish/prey in the bird’s current area and make food chain posters. Diagram predator/prey relationships and have the birds attempt to overcome predation. Study the particular ecosystem in which a study bird is located. Describe the egret life cycle/foods they eat/habitats. Biology
Compare/contrast egret’s path with another animal at the site. How do birds adapt to human encroachment and “progress”? What is the impact of invasive species in the area? Research the impact humans have had on egrets in different areas. Biology, Earth Science
Predict future movement/discuss reasons (give mock prizes to students that get the movements right). Make it a daily game with the entire class making predictions. Biology, Geography, Social Studies
Choreograph dance based on bird movement. Dance, Physical Education
Connect the use of the Movebank website and get students outside to do geocache and compass activities. Earth Science, Environmental Science, Geography Predict winter migration paths and locations. Make predictions about the location and timing of spring nesting. Identify land and water landmarks. Follow the egrets around the world and compare and contrast where they go (look at climate zones, wind patterns, and what these areas have in common).
Develop a story of what the bird sees and experiences over a certain time period (given certain ecosystem information, etc.). Why does the bird make certain decisions? Create a story from the bird’s perspective about its life/travels/and what it sees. Use the information from Movebank and ecosystem/geography knowledge to write children’s books or novels. Explore the connection to folklore in the areas where the egrets turn up. English
Where in the world is the egret? Give clues. Earth Science, Geography, Social Studies Chart movement on individual maps.
Connect and graph 3 axis movements to kids movements. Look at distances covered to calculate velocity, range (area covered) patterns, (acceleration, etc.) Graph egret behavior- Do a kinetic study. Math, Physics Graph development
Match bird behavior/flight to music and movement. Connect Peter and the Wolf music to match bird movements. Connect bird movement/behavior to Native American dances and customs. Music, Social Studies
Study the Movebank tracking system and compare it to modern GPS systems and how humans can be tracked with GPS on cell phones/automobile systems. Will the future be affected by these technologies with every human movement being tracked? Study how satellites are used. Technology