The return of the robin is perhaps the most familiar sign of spring in North America's northern regions. Students will track robins all the way to the Arctic where they don't arrive until May!
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. Migration reports will begin to arrive at the end of February and should reach a climax during the month of March.
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 on page XX 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.
© Journey North 1996