Bird Ecology Language Arts

Courses
Science
Natural Resources (CTE)
English Language Arts, Digital Media (CTE)

Content Area(s)
English Language Arts
Natural Resources (CTE)
Portland Community College: BI 164: Bird Identification and Ecology

Grades
11,12

Instructor(s)
Joseph Ferguson, Amy Taramasso

School
Alliance HS @ Meek Campus

Description
In this interdisciplinary, dual credit project, students learn about the biology of birds in the Pacific Northwest while learning and practicing research writing skills. Multiple field trips engage students in learning bird identification in the field, avian ecology, natural history and behavior. Back at school, students learn and practice research skills, write informative texts, and publish their work digitally. 

Project Length
12 Weeks

Project Deliverables
Annotated Bibliography, Creative Project, Bird Species Research Project & Presentations

Syllubi
Bird Ecology Language Arts
BI 164: Bird Identification and Ecology

Standards

• CCSS ELA RI 1-Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says.
• CCSS ELA RI 4-Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text
• CCSS ELA RI 6-Determin an author's point of view or purpose in a text
• CCSS ELA RL 6-Analyze a case in which grasphing point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g. satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).
• CCSS ELA W 1-Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts.
• CCSS ELA W2-Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information.
• CCSS ELA SL 1-Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
• CCSS ELA SL 4-Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective.
• CCSS ELA L 2-Demontrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. Identify common Pacific Northwest bird species using key characteristics.
• Use standard field techniques to study bird populations, behavior, breeding biology, and ecology.
• Apply knowledge of basic bird biology, ecology, evolution, and anatomy and physiology to further an understanding of these principles in other animals.
• Examine bird species of the Pacific Northwest using direct observation and documented research.
• Develop skills in science, including quantitative reasoning, using documented research on changes in abundance of bird species over time.
• Identify birds beyond the Pacific Northwest by applying knowledge of bird families.