Discovering Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey is a four-week unit study that invites young learners to look up — into the treetops, across open fields, and into the night sky — and discover the extraordinary hunters that rule the air. Raptors are among the most skilled and fascinating animals on Earth, and learning about them opens doors to science, math, language arts, and creative thinking all at once.

From the bald eagle soaring over American rivers to the tiny elf owl nesting in a cactus in the Sonoran Desert, birds of prey come in an astonishing range of sizes, shapes, and hunting styles. Some hunt by day with eyesight eight times sharper than ours. Others hunt in total darkness using sound alone. Some drop from heights of over 1,000 feet at speeds faster than a race car. Every raptor in this unit is a reminder that the natural world is far more powerful, precise, and surprising than we might imagine.

Throughout the unit, your child will:

• Practice counting, addition, and data skills using raptor facts
• Strengthen reading comprehension and vocabulary
• Explore hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, vultures, and ospreys
• Learn how raptors hunt, nest, and raise their young
• Discover raptors from habitats across the United States and beyond
• Develop critical thinking through comparison and sorting activities
• Design their own imaginary bird of prey
• Build confidence through hands-on activities and a showcase presentation

Each day includes clear instructions and low-prep activities so you can focus on guiding your child — not deciphering complicated directions.