Getting
Ready for Hummingbird Migration
Making Maps
Background
The process of making a map will orient students to the geography
of hummingbird migration. It will also give them a context for following
news in the season's migration updates.
Materials
Laying
the Groundwork
- Post
or make copies of a distibution
map for rufous and ruby-throated hummingbirds.
- Give
each student or group a copy of each handout.
- Show
them where they can access an atlas (or online map).
Exploration
- Give
students time to explore where each species spends its life.
- Ask
students to add important features to their own maps and color them
to distinguish the species and their seasonal habitats.
Using
the blank map provided, students will
identify and label:
- The
latitude and longitude lines.
- The
countries in which each species overwinters and breeds.
- The
states and provinces in which each species overwinters and breeds.
- The
places BOTH species overwinter.
- The
places BOTH species breed.
3.
Have students make a title and key for their maps.
Try
This!
Students
can quiz one another with fun geographic challenge questions about each
species. Here are some sample questions:
-
Would
it be possible to see a ruby-throated hummingbird in Costa Rica?
-
Which
bird visits more countries during its annual cycle?
-
In
which country do most rufous hummingbirds spend the winter?
Assessment
- Ask
students to save these maps in their Hummingbird
Journals. As they learn more about the hummingbird migration during
the season, they can add interesting details and significant features
to their maps.
- As you
review these maps throughout the season, you can assess students'
understanding of migration patterns and their abilities to represent
these on maps.
Related
Links
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