Self-guided Nature Journaling resources
The Bird School Project pocket guides each include a series of journal activities with the intention of improving students’ bird observation skills and connection to nature. The pocket guides are designed to help a facilitator (teacher, family member, or guardian) with little to no prior birding, or teaching experience guide their students through each journal prompt/activity. Enjoy these distance-learning resources and please provide your feedback in the questionnaires by clicking the “Provide Feedback” button!
Combining Characteristics Pocket Guide
The combining characteristics pocket guide carries four different journaling activities that focus on honing in students’ characteristic description skills. With about 10,000 known bird species around the world, there are endless combinations of bird characteristics (size, shape, beak, color, behavior & habitats) to observe. Being able to recognize and describe bird characteristics is a key component for identifying bird species and becoming a better naturalist!
How to Use: Use the left and right arrows to move through the preview pages of the Combining Characteristics Pocket Guide or click on the slideshow for a closer look.
How to Use: Use the left and right arrows to move through the preview pages of the Bird Language and Behavior Pocket Guide or click on the slideshow for a closer look.
Bird Language and Behavior Pocket Guide
The journaling prompts within the bird language and behavior pocket guide are targeted towards getting students familiarized with identifying and recording bird calls and behaviors. There are five different types of bird calls naturalists should listen for: song, contact, alarm, aggression and begging. These calls are a pivotal stepping stone for understanding how birds interact with each other and their environment.
Journaling Resources for facilitators
The prompts below are each paired with an instructional video created to provide further clarity for engaging students in various bird observation and journaling techniques.
Sound Map Sit Spot Activity
Instructional Journaling videos for students
These instructional journaling videos provide students with the basic tools and instruction to try birding in their own backyard or nearby park.
Bird Comic Book Activity
