My students are fascinated by birds. They read about them, they write about them, and they draw them. Nothing compares, though, to watching them in their natural habitats. The binoculars will be treasured as the tool that brings the life of birds into closer view.
Our inner-city school educates approximately three hundred students.
We have a very diverse student population living in four distinct neighborhoods. Some of the students live in the neighborhood near the school. Many of the parents of these students work at a nearby university and hospital. Two groups of students ride buses to the school from apartment complexes in different parts of our town. In most of these families, both parents are part of the work force. One group of students rides a school bus from a university student housing neighborhood. Many of these students come from different countries. The love of school and the love of birds are two commonalities out of many that unify these students from the different neighborhoods. We are fortunate to have a large nature area with different habitats attracting a variety of birds within walking distance of our school.
My Project
The students will have first-hand experiences learning about the natural world using binoculars as science tools. These learning experiences will inspire them to be good stewards of the environment. Many of the science units throughout the elementary grades are focused on aspects of the natural world: kindergarteners study animals, first graders study living things, second graders study life cycles, third graders study birds and habitats, fourth graders study nature's recyclers (which includes vultures), and fifth graders go camping in the northern part of our state, where the wildlife and plant life is different from our own. All three hundred students' learning will be enhanced by using these tools. All students can experience hands-on learning of science by using the binoculars in our close-by nature area, or outdoor classroom if you will.
One way students learn is through hands-on experiences.
Going out into the natural environment to learn concepts about nature instead of simply reading about it or trying to recreate some nature experiences in the classroom is ideal. When students learn about the natural world they tend to care more about it. When people learn about the environment and care about it, they are inspired to do their part in protecting it.
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