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Sperry Middle School Students Discover Learning is "For the Birds"
Sperry Middle School Students Discover Learning Is “For the Birds”
Sutton Avian Research Team from Oklahoma University recently presented the program “It’s All About Birds” to Sperry Middle School students and faculty. This program is designed to help build student understanding of the importance of birds for Oklahoma, the United States, and the world. While birds flew overhead, plucked a dollar bill from a student’s hand, and demonstrated their ability to mimic human voice, the students learned that there is much more to these feathered creatures than meets the eye. Topics for the program touched upon several content areas, touching at least a little in each of the four core disciplines of instruction. Mr. John Edgar, science teacher said, “The program applied to science in many ways. Predator-prey interactions, such as owls and hawks, were discussed in detail. Ecology of grasslands and of forest ecosystems were illustrated, and the effect of each of these on specific bird species was also covered. Lastly, specific adaptations of individual species of birds they introduced were a major part of the program.”
Math teacher Mrs. Lenita DeLozier said, “Math was used to explain the amount of revenue that birds generate from hunting, as a food source, and even bird watching. The visuals used help really put the numbers into the students’ minds. Math was also referenced when the researchers talked about tasks such as counting the number of birds in a sampling of a controlled or uncontrolled experiment. Exponents could be used in calculating the rate at which rodents would populate if birds suddenly became extinct. The possibilities are endless for tying the information presented about birds into the math curriculum. The students not only enjoyed the program, but we can work it into our instructional plans easily.”
Mr. Shaun Coke, eighth grade English teacher, is using the program to help students work on their writing skills. Students will use the information presented along with additional information in a non-fiction selection to construct a persuasive argument for conservation of the environment based upon the effect the environment has upon bird populations and the effect bird populations have upon the environment.
Mrs. Dana Smart, social studies teacher, pointed out that the program could not have been better timed for her students. “We had just completed a section on environmental concerns and consequences of changing the environment through pollution, deforestation, and growing communities. Students were given valuable information that will help them better relate to what we just studied.”
The students themselves became captivated by the program and talked with teachers and friends about how the program made them think about birds. One student remarked how she learned technology terms she knows well had meaning beyond the computer. She said, “They said that some birds cache items to be used later, and I thought ‘cache’ was just a computer term.” Another student proudly pointed out that she was most impressed with one feathered visitor in particular. “I loved the American Bald Eagle. Seeing it made me realize why it is a fitting symbol for our nation. This was the first time I have seen an eagle in real life.”
The Sperry Middle School would like to thank the Sutton Avian Research Team for coming and presenting their program “It’s All About Birds” and for the attention given to answer the students’ questions after the presentation.
