"Rite of Passage" assignment

I love this assignment, even though I'm not sure if it is what the professor was looking for.

Bird Extravaganza: the Gathering of Feathered Nations

When we first started talking about a Rite of Passage I felt a little overwhelmed. I don’t have much classroom experience and wasn’t really sure how a Rite of Passage could be incorporated into the things I do know (teaching in the fields, Educational Kits, etc). I came up with an idea to create not only personal “steps” in this Rite of Passage, but a classroom goal as well. My hope is that this could be incorporated into outdoor education programs and into the Educational Kits that we send to classrooms. At this point, I must also mention that I think birds are an excellent way to connect kids with nature in general and this Rite of Passage (and the activity that precedes it) can be incorporated into any classroom as an extra activity.

My idea behind this Rite of Passage is not only teaching students how to identify birds but also about their life history (what they eat, where they live, etc). Each student will have a card similar to a BINGO card with blank squares. Students will be shown bird cards, played bird songs and will do various bird-related activities daily, for a month. There will also be a “bird of the day,” including a picture of and life history for the bird, featured every day in class. Before each bird lesson, the teacher will show students birds and play bird songs and have the students write down which birds they think they are seeing/hearing. Time at the beginning of the lesson will also be dedicated to having students talk about the birds they saw at home and on the ride to and from School.

At the beginning of the month, all students will start out as birdwatcher. Each time a student identifies five birds they will become a different type of bird. The levels are: birder, naturalist, scientist and expert. Each week will end with a ceremony where students receive a flag depicting the level they have attained.

Finally, at the end of the month, the Bird Extravaganza: the Gathering of Feathered Nations will happen. Students will make a mask depicting their favorite bird. Students will wear their masks to a gathering of feathered nations, a celebration of birds and the students’ accomplishments. At the gathering, students will be given ribbon to put their flags together with so the flags can be displayed at home. Throughout the month, students will compile information about what birds eat and will compare what birds eat to human foods. Students will wear their masks to the gathering and eat foods inspired by birds. For example, berries, corn, bird nest cookies with chocolate eggs (see recipe), trail mix, cherries, oranges and granola. To mimic nectar teachers can serve simple syrup and ginger ale (sparkling water or lemonade can be substituted) drink (see recipe for Thimbleberry and rosemary simple syrup as an example). Red Kool-aid looks like commercial hummingbird nectar and can be used instead of simple syrup.

My hope is that this activity not only teaches students about birds, but inspires them to learn more about them. I also think this could be a fun activity to bring students together, and encourage a stronger connection to the world around them.