American Robin

Teaching Suggestions
Hello, Robins! Hello, Spring!
(Back to Slideshow Overview)

Introduction

Robin hunts. Will he find an earthworm?
Robin builds. Where will she make her nest?

When robins are in our backyards, citizen scientists OBSERVE and WONDER: How long will the robins stay? What food will robins find? Where will the robins build a nest? Introduce students to the wonder of robins using the facts and photos in this Read-with-Me booklet.

Essential Question:
What are robins doing in our backyards?
Set the Stage for Learning

1. Display the cover. Ask questions to assess prior knowledge:

  • When do you see robins in your backyard?
  • What do you think this robin is doing?
  • What do you think robins do all day?

 

Cover of Hello, Robins! Hello, Spring!
2. Preview images using the Photo Gallery page. On large chart paper, post the essential question: What are robins doing in our backyards? Have students describe what they see in each photo. Record the verbs they use to describe robin behavior: eat, sit, hop, perch, sing, etc.

3. Preview vocabulary using the Word Cards. Challenge students to read aloud each word and predict how the words may be related. Encourage them to make sentences about robins by combining related words.

 
Viewing the Slideshow
As a class read through the pages of the slideshow together, stopping occasionally to spotlight key words and ideas or ask questions. Encourage students to share questions sparked by the information and images.
Revisit for Understanding

1. Reread the selection together and challenge students to identify text that describes observations and text that describes wonder. Page-by-page, challenge them to identify the verbs used to describe robin behavior. Have students brainstorm synonyms that could be used to describe what robins do.

2. Look closely at robins. Revisit images from the Photo Gallery. Invite students to match word cards and photos to describe what each image reveals. Have students cut out the photos and use them to create their own booklet about robins in the backyard.

3. Read with fluency and expression. Pair students. Provide a copy of the text-only page. Invite them to read aloud the text together, in a variety of ways. This text page can also be used as an oral reading assessment.

 
Wrap Up

1. Observe and Wonder! Take your citizen scientists outside with notebooks and pencils. Invite them to sketch and describe what they observe and wonder.

2. Track Robins Migration With Journey North
As robins spread throughout their breeding range, predict when and where they will travel.

 

Citizen scientists: share your robin sightings and observations with Journey North!

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