This issue of the free online magazine, Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, explores the amazing birds that live in or migrate to the polar regions. The issue was co-produced with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In addition to content knowledge articles and lesson plans, the issue includes information about bird-themed citizen science programs from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

This article assembles free resources from the Arctic and Antarctic Birds issue of the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears cyberzine into a unit outline based on the 5E learning cycle framework. Outlines are provided for Grades K-2 and 3-5.

This interactive tool assists identification of bird species. After students provide answers to four questions, the tool will sort through an online database and narrow the search to just a few species.

In this short video, join Emily and Emma from the Prairie Ridge Ecostation in Raleigh to take a look at some birds and learn about how we can observe all kinds of wildlife in our everyday lives.

Join us on a special trip up to Bathurst Island to record birdsongs, and learn about how you can use bird observations to create scientific inquiry in your classroom using ebird.org and birds.cornell.edu/birdsleuth.

This article discusses misconceptions about birds (and penguins in particular). It provides tools for formative assessment and ideas for teaching correct scientific concepts.

This project is a science based unit that incorporates using a makerspace. Students work together to research a local bird species and design and build a birdhouse to meet the specific needs of their species.

This article provides links to lessons and units about birds, bird characteristics, and penguins. Ideas for literacy integration are included, and all lessons are aligned to national standards.

This article discusses the physical and behavioral adaptations that allow birds to survive in cold climates such as the polar regions.

This article provides an overview of scientific inquiry and how citizen science programs run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provide opportunities for inquiry about birds.

Nature happens at home. Observe regular feeder visitors to discover which birds are year-round residents and which are migratory species, here for only part of each year.

This article introduces the 17 species of penguins and shows how a study of penguin habitats and life cycles can fulfill national science content standards for K-grade 5. The author provides links to web resources and suggests books. The article appears in the free, online magazine Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears.

This informational text introduces students to the life cycle and migration of the sanderling, a bird that winters on beaches in the Southern United States and South America but breeds in the Arctic during the summer months. The text is written at a kindergarten through grade one reading level. This version is a full-color PDF that can be printed, cut and folded to form a book.

In this virtual resource, students will engage their senses to observe birds in their schoolyard. They will compare different types of birds by color and shape, and evaluate their schoolyard for birds' basic needs.

The wakelet site features videos demonstrating hands-on activities for students to complete at school in small, socially distanced settings. Activities may also be adapted for at-home learning. Most field trips incorporate an outdoor component, acknowledging the need to balance screen time with green time to support mental health. Tips for taking your students outside can be found here: https://education.eol.org/cnc_materials/TipsForTeachingOutside.pdf

This is additional curriculum for the Untamed Science video series created in a partnership between the North Carolina Zoo and videographer Rob Nelson. You are meant to watch the original video and then open the PDF resource below to become a scientist and track your own vulture!

This formative assessment item uncovers students' prior knowledge about the distribution of penguin species throughout the world. Teacher resources are given, including information about the content, instructional strategies as well as alignment to The National Science Education Standards. Additional resources include information, pictures, and lesson ideas involving penguin facts.

Whoooo's in your backyard? We'll explore what native species can be found on the east coast and why they are important to the overall health of this region.

We created helpful clips if you are unable to watch the full video:
3.L.2 Carnivorous Plants (2 min) = https://youtu.be/ww9oS-kcf8U?t=2242

Animal Ambassador Clips:
Spotted Salamander (8 min) = https://youtu.be/ww9oS-kcf8U?t=1324
Eastern Box Turtle (10 min) = https://youtu.be/ww9oS-kcf8U?t=2611
Eastern King Snake (6 min) = https://youtu.be/ww9oS-kcf8U?t=3291

Conservation Clips:
Pollinator conservation = https://youtu.be/ww9oS-kcf8U?t=2007

Did you know the fastest animal in the world is a bird? Fly in and discover more about these amazing avians! Beautiful biofacts and a live animal will help give you a better appreciation of these winged creatures.

We have created helpful clips if you are unable to watch the whole video:
K.L.1
What makes a bird (5 min) = https://youtu.be/SjpVMBUnNE8?t=139
Bird Feet (3 min) = https://youtu.be/SjpVMBUnNE8?t=768

2.L.1
Bird Life Cycle (5 min) = https://youtu.be/SjpVMBUnNE8?t=1519

4.L.1
Feathers (3 min)

Animal Ambassador Clips:
Barred Owl (17 min) = https://youtu.be/SjpVMBUnNE8?t=2097

Conservation:
Bird watching, feeders, houses (5 min) = https://youtu.be/SjpVMBUnNE8?t=3209