English Teacher Hugh Schalkwyk

  Avian migration is a natural process, whereby different birds fly over distances of hundreds and thousands of kilometers to find the best environmental conditions and habitats for feeding, breeding, and raising their young. When the conditions at breeding sites become disparaging due to low temperatures, migratory birds fly to areas where conditions are better.

  There are many different migratory patterns. The bulk of birds migrate from northern breeding parts in the summer, to southern wintering grounds. However, some birds breed in southern parts of Africa and migrate to northern wintering grounds, or horizontally, to enjoy the milder coastal climates in winter. Other birds migrate in terms of altitude, moving higher up a mountain in summer, and residing on lowlands during the winter months. The above provides a great starting point for the student’s research and some a brand new avenue of information. 

  The project kicks off with the students researching the associated vocabulary for the unit. This is followed by a review of pre-selected birds and their feeding habits. The teams then gather all their relevant information and make an informed decision of which bird they wish to attract to their feeder. They then design and construct a birdfeeder catered for the bird selected by the team/group.

  The classroom then moves outside where they select a specific area on the school grounds to place their feeders, followed by a week of daily observations tracking the species of birds visiting their feeder box if any. Once the observation week runs out, the students interpret their data, concluding the success or lack thereof with regards to their feeder. 

  During this period we explore a variety of additional topics such as insect control, flower pollination, the bird’s interaction with nature, the responsibility to care for their bird feeder, time management, and most of all the excitement of seeing their experiment in action on a day to day basis.

  Although this may seem like a very complex topic, the students find it very enjoyable. They enjoy this outdoor activity and can’t wait to share their ideas and hypothesis on why their project worked or not.

  The final step has the different teams share their project with the class. While this might prompt nervousness in learners, it’s a very important step in the process. Some find it daunting, and others time to show off what they have learned. All and all it ends up being a fun experience not only for the students but also for the teachers as they take great pride in their student’s accomplishments