Eagles Activity For Use With Journey North
Colleen McNeil (V104LRHG@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu)
Mon, 8 Dec 1997 16:28:59 -0600
Hello from Buffalo, NY. Some students at the Buffalo Science Museum
Magnet School recently came across a wonderful activity to use in conjunction
with the Journey North Internet project. The activity is based on a
story/essay called "Flight of Fantasy" through which one can imagine what it
feels like to be an eagle. It is from "The Keepers of the Animals: Native
American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children" by Michael Caduto &
Joseph Bruchac.
First we read the story, with the students closing their eyes and
imagining how it might feel to be an eagle. The story contains detailed
information on the animals' special characteristics: its bone structure, the
the scales on its feet, the hook of its beak, etc. It also discusses what the
eagles perspective of the land below is like during flight, and its excellent
eyesight. While it was obviously educational, more importantly the students
(energetic 4th graders) really enjoyed it.
The book also contains information, stories, activities, and myths
about other animals that are important to the Native Americans, and that are
part of the Journey North project - caribou, butterflies, peregrine falcons,
whales, even the navigational tools of robins.
If anyone is interested, I highly reccommend the book. If you would
like more info., just e-mail me. I am planning to post the essay 2 students
wrote about their experiences as an eagle as soon as they have polished up
their spelling!
Colleen McNeil
Buffalo Science Museum
Elementary School
Buffalo, NY