Birding

I am SO excited!!! I gave DS#2 and DD each a pair of binoculars and a bird book to start our unit on birds in Apologia's Zoology I. As you know, I was a bit concerned about DS#2 not enjoying this unit, but he certainly enjoyed getting his own pair of binoculars and all three kids (DS#1 already had his own pair of binoculars) were out there this morning looking for birds. DS#2 even referred to himself as the "bird finder" in his journal! The two younger ones are working towards their Wings Over Florida Junior Birding Certificate. They are learning how to identify birds with the booklet you can print out from that site, and when they find 15 Native Florida Species, they will recieve the certificate you see below (you download it from that site and print it out for them). They identified a Mourning Dove and Black Vulture already this morning! DS#1 is helping DD with this, as it is written for 3rd or 4th graders...
...but DS#1 is also working towards the Wings Over Florida Birding Certificate. He has to find at least 50 native birds to reach the first level and 350 native birds to reach the highest level (there are five levels in all). With this program, you print out the Official Florida Bird Checklist and check them off as you find them. This program is free, though you do have to send off for these certificates, and you can work to earn all five certificates at one time. Below, you can see the Elite Birding Certificate, for finding 350 Florida Birds.