This grant would provide a memorable and tangible experience for 4th grade students at KBE to learn from experts and live birds of prey as they connect with grade-level learning. The grant would fund a visit from Raptor Adventures and give students an up-close encounter with a hawk, falcon, and owl in the classroom environment. Students would learn about adaptations, how internal and external structures support growth and survival, behaviors, food webs, conservation, and the importance of birds of prey - emphasizing the protected status of raptors. Trained and licensed staff would educate students using live birds, skulls, feathers, owl pellets, collaborative conversations, and vocabulary exposure to provide an in-depth experience of key science concepts. In addition, students will read, write, and build on each other's ideas through an integrated unit of learning prior to, during, and after the visit as I strive to connect ELA with science, art, and academic conversations.
Let's add a little magic to our learning and bring the classroom to life! The benefits of this program are far reaching. Giving students the opportunity to observe, learn about, and discuss birds of prey in the classroom can: boost engagement and motivation, support and extend grade-level learning, increase knowledge retention, provide access to students from diverse backgrounds and learning styles, and inspire conservation. Seeing raptors up close can leave a lasting impression and spark interest in wildlife and environmental issues for students.
The program would successfully provide access for students from diverse backgrounds and learning styles to make meaning of their learning and acquire a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and food webs.
All fourth grade students at KBE would participate in a 60-minute visit from Raptor Adventures in the classroom environment. Correlating lessons and activities would take place prior to and after the lesson for an integrated, cross-curricular approach to learning.
Yes. All fourth graders at KBE would participate.