BirdSleuth



The School District of University City is participating in a new program from the CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY titled **BirdSleuth.** The program brings science to life through inquiry-based bird study at the upper elementary and middle school levels.
 * Birds are ideal organisms for scientific study**. They are easy to see anywhere, and kids are captivated by them-their songs, flight, colors, and amazing behaviors!
 * BirdSleuth engages students in the entire scientific process.** Kids make observations of the natural world, generate questions, collect and analyze data, and write and publish their scientific findings in the Lab's student research journal.
 * BirdSleuth enables students to become the eyes and ears of scientists**. Students enter their data into the online eBird database. The data help both students and scientists better understand and conserve birds.
 * BirdSleuth gets students outside**! They learn about their own environment and develop an appreciation for the natural world.


 * ATTENTION:**
 * 4th and 5th and 7th Grade Teachers:**

I have a wonderful life science teaching opportunity for you (and you don't have to love birds as much as I do to partake)**!** Washington University Science Outreach has agreed to fund the School District of University City for the Cornell-Lab of Ornithology's inquiry-based BIRDSLEUTH program materials to be put in every elementary and in our middle school. They are buying a set of 20 Peterson's Bird Guides for each library and one 4th and 5th grade teacher in each elementary, 3 teachers at Brittany Wood, will receive the materials and training for the BIRDSLEUTH program. My goal is to train one 4th and one 5th grade teacher in each building to use the program this year (aligns with life science GLE's in the 4th and 5th grade curriculum) and then have the materials available to share with other 4th and 5th grade teachers. The 7th grade will receive 3 sets of materials to supplement the 7th grade life science curriculum.

More info and dates for meetings will be coming in August, 2009.

Go to [|BirdSleuth] to check out the program (notice the quote on the front page from one of your own). Also notice the flying fourth grader, another one of our own, Ellie Turner! Contact me ASAP if you are interested and want to be involved! Nikki