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Background
The study begins with a winter robin round-up, a mid-winter census conducted by students in backyards across North America. With the results, they'll make a map showing where robins are found before their migration begins. Never again will northern students simply say that robins go "down south" for the winter. Tracking Robin Migration
The robin migration provides a wonderful opportunity to teach about the climate and geography of North America. As students analyze their data they'll begin to wonder: How might mountain ranges affect climate? What effect does the ocean have on temperatures? The "Spring Fever" lesson is a compelling focus for students. It also provides an excellent jumping-off point for interactive studies with Journey North classrooms in different geographic regions. Students can formulate their own questions and compare the results with their on-line classmates. |