Resources for the Science Investigator's Kit for Homeschoolers
We hope that users of the Science Investigator's Kit will find these resources and links helpful!
(If you don't already own this module, click here to learn more!)
Investigation 1: Explore Bird Feeding
- Visit the Project FeederWatch "About Birds and Bird Feeding" page. Specifically, you may wish to see their page on "Seeds and Grains for Birds" to help your child identify the kinds of seed in your seed mix.
- Learn about Backyard BirdFeeding at the All About Birds "Feeding Wild Birds" page. All about Birds also has a page on seed types.
- Download our popular BirdNotes tip sheet "Winter Bird Feeding" (PDF reader required.)
Investigation 2: Attracting Birds
- Information about feeder types can be found at both the All About Birds and the Project FeederWatch website.
Investigation 3: What do Birds Need To Survive?
- All About Birds has a useful site about landcaping for birds. The site gives tips about the food, water, and shelter that birds need, and offers suggestions about plantings that may help attract birds.
- Audubon provides this page on Bird Habitat Neccessities. I like it because it sites natural sources for food, water, shelter, and cover, and provides advice on supplementing those habitat aspects in your yard.
- If you'd like to extend the BirdSleuth lesson, you may wish to consider this lesson on human habitat needs from the National Wildlife Federation. It's a free 2-page download.
Investigation 4: Learn Your Birds
- All About Birds provides detail about "How to ID Birds" that may help supplement the "Clues to Bird ID" Resource Page that was provided in your kit.
- All About Birds Bird Guide is an online field guide that has photos, sounds, clues to bird identification, and cool facts about hundreds of birds. It's a wonderful resource for learning more about birds!
- Project FeederWatch has photos and ID tips for some commonly mis-identified or "Tricky Birds." Your children may want to test themselves on those photos after they become familiar with the slide show provided in your BirdSleuth kit. Be sure to consult that page if you see a confusing bird!
Investigation 5: Become a FeederWatcher
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The Project FeederWatch website is the first place to go for information about participating in the project, instructions and updates, and data entry.
Investigation 6: Birds in the Food Web
- Here's a great introductory movie about food chains and webs!
- This site has a good introduction to food chains and webs, and also offers a simple online quiz on concepts that are covered in this BirdSleuth lesson.
If you've found other resources useful in conjunction with these Investigations, please recommend them! Email BirdSleuth (birdsleuth@cornell.edu) and tell us about them so we can share with other families!
