Journey North Cranes


Teachers: Cranes for Kids is a simple, student-directed entry point to Journey North. Engaging booklets, photos, videos, and slide shows from the natural world build observation skills, inspire scientific thinking, and create fertile ground for discussions and new questions!	Teaching Tools Below: Activities and Learning Standards Science Inquiry Skills Observation Handouts Questions to Inspire Observations

Activity/Lesson	Grade*	Learning Standards/Themes
Books and Slideshows Eastern Flock Western Flock		These slideshows (and related books) address all of the themes and standards listed below.
Whooping Cranes Hatching		Life cycles
Whooping Crane Kids: Learning Life's Lessons		Wild vs. captive (compare and contrast) Meeting basic needs Adaptations for survival Learning vs. instinct Survival in changing environments Science as a human endeavor
Ground School Training		Behavioral response to environmental stimulus Learning vs. instinct Science as a human endeavor
Who's in Charge		Behavior patterns Adaptations for survival Meeting basic needs
Meet Robo-Crane		Tools and equipment help scientists investigate the world Science as a human endeavor, behavior patterns
Keeping Crane Chicks Healthy		Meeting basic needs Behavior patterns Scientists use technology to gather accurate data Science as a human endeavor
Dance Like the Cranes!		Meeting basic needs Behavior patterns Adaptations for survival Life cycles and reproduction
Watching Walking Whoopers		Meeting basic needs Adaptations for survival Understanding the nature of science inquiry; how scientists think and work
* These general grade designations are based on reading levels. You can adapt any activity to lower grades by reading it as a class or by focusing on simple photo observations.

Science Inquiry Skills Addressed
Observing	Comparing and contrasting	Interpreting
Describing	Analyzing	Inferring
Questioning	Finding patterns	Evaluating ideas
Using evidence to make reasonable explanations	Communicating details	Applying understandings

Journey North for Kids Teaching Tools
Observation Handouts Some JN for Kids activities link to simple student observation sheets. You can also select your own from our Gallery of Student Handouts. Print and pass out copies to guide observations of Journey North photos, video clips, and the natural world. Gallery of Student Handouts >>
Questions to Inspire Observations Draw from these to build students' observation and thinking skills. List of Questions >>
Journey North for Kids in the Classroom: Tips from Teachers