Educator/Home School Resources

Educator and Home School Resources

Project FeederWatch can help engage children in the excitement of nature study and the wonder of scientific investigation by

encouraging careful observation and note-taking
stimulating children to ask questions about the natural world
encouraging independent study
providing opportunities for meaningful Internet use and exploration

FeederWatching for Homeschoolers

Join other homeschool families who have incorporated Project FeederWatch into their science, using our Homeschooler's Guide to Project FeederWatch.

Download a free PDF of the Homeschooler's Guide to Project FeederWatch.

If you enjoy the Homeschooler's Guide, be sure to check out the new Science Investigator's Kit for Homeschoolers created by BirdSleuth. This new kit provides in-depth curriculum for learning science content and developing science process skills.

If you have suggestions for how we can improve the new curriculum, we'd love to get your feedback.

"Project FeederWatch converts casual bird observation into disciplined science and has become an integral part of the science curriculum in my daughter's home schooling program." --Nancy Hough, New York, New York "As home schoolers, one of our goals is to empower our children to be motivated self-learners. That means they need to see learning not as a scheduled assignment--done Monday through Friday--but as a lifestyle. Project FeederWatch is perfect for this." --Leigh and family, Nebo, North Carolina
FeederWatch for groups Many groups such as scout troops and 4-H groups use FeederWatch as part of their programming. Group discounts are available for group members to participate in FeederWatch from multiple sites. Learn more.
FeederWatch-related activities and learning You can investigate an array of natural mysteries while participating in Project FeederWatch. The following FeederWatch-related activities have been contributed by educators across the continent. They are designed to strengthen such skills as observation, identification, research, computation, writing, creativity, and more.
Science Natural history: Research and study the strategies birds use to survive Identification: Use FeederWatch's Common Feeder Birds poster to learn how to identify the birds that visit your feeders
Meteorology: Monitor weather conditions to see how birds alter their feeding habits Physics/aerodynamics: observe the different flight patterns of feeder birds Animal behavior: Are some species solitary while others are gregarious? Do different species have different food preferences? Math Weigh the bird seed in your feeder before and after each count and compute how much seed was eaten. After several counts, calculate average consumption rate. Test and predict how often feeders need to be refilled. Writing/Literature Journal keeping Poetry Creative writing Etymology--research the history of bird names Geography Map your count site Research the geographic ranges of birds (see the FeederWatch map room) Learn the official bird of all U.S. states and Canadian provinces History Develop a time line charting the extinction of a bird such as the Passenger Pigeon Research famous bird biologists or artists Learn the history of bird-related laws Art Sketch the birds at your feeders Create bird masks Create models of bird wings, bills, and feet Music Research music that has been influenced by bird song Study bird songs and calls Make your own feeder bird recordings Additional Resources Learn about birds on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds web sites Explore Data submitted by FeederWatch participants Join Project FeederWatch and receive a Research Kit containing the Common Feeder Birds poster, a color 14-month calendar, the FeederWatcher's Handbook, and more. FeederWatch participants also receive the Lab's newsletter, BirdScope.

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FeederWatch is a joint research and education project of: