Upcoming Session Dates (6-week sessions)

• 6-week Spring 2025 Session #1: 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12
• 6-week Spring 2025 Session #2: 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26
• 6-week Spring 2025 Session #3: 4/2, 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14*
• Join the mailing list for future enrollment dates

**Break week in this session, no class on 4/16

This class meets live, online on Wednesdays at 1pm CDT/CST* 

 Enroll

Additional section: The section above is hosted independently using Google Classroom and Google Meet. I offer another section of this class through Outschool.com that meets Thursdays at 3pm CDT/CST.  If you are interested in the Thursday, 3pm CDT section please contact me for more information. Read  reviews for this class. 

3-10 students per class section 

If your student loves birds and enjoys being outdoors, this class is perfect for them! Each class offers a chance for students to share their recent bird sightings, exchange birding tips, and learn about a different bird Order or Family each week. This inclusive group welcomes both beginner and experienced teen birders.  

Each 50-minute live, online class follows this engaging structure: 

• Recent Bird Sightings: Students will share their bird photos and recent sightings on a collaborative Padlet board. They will interact with other participants, discussing local birds, swapping tips and resources, and making new friends. The sharing time concludes with small group discussions (5-8 minutes) to foster deeper connections.
• Bird Order/Family Study: Each week, students will explore a specific bird order or family. They can print a note-taking sheet to use during the presentation, and we recommend storing these sheets in a binder to create a personal reference booklet.
• Review Game: To reinforce learning, students will participate in a fun review game like online bingo or Connect 4, focusing on the bird order or family of the day. Winners will have their names entered into a prize drawing, with the drawing held during the end-of-session celebration/game day.

This class offers an opportunity for your student to connect with nature, learn about birds, and make new friends in a supportive and educational environment. This class is hosted independently using Google Classroom and Google Meet. Students must have a Google email to enroll.

Fall 2024 Session #2 Topics:

• 10/30: Passeriformes/Corvidae - Crows, Jays, and Magpies
• 11/6: Caprimulgiformes/Hemiprocnidae - Treeswifts
• 11/13: Struthioniformes/Struthionidae - Ostriches
• 11/20: Suliformes/Phalacrocoracidae - Cormorants and Shags
• 12/4: Accipitriformes/Accipitridae - Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
• 12/11: Passeriformes/Icteridae - New World Blackbirds and Orioles
• 12/18: End of Session Celebration! Game day and prize drawing

  
  

  **Topics for 2025 will be available in early November after student vote.

Past Class Topics:

• Struthioniformes/Struthionidae - Ostriches
• Tinamiformes/Tinamidae - Tinamous
• Casuariiformes/Casuariidae - Cassowaries and Emu
• Apterygiformes/Apterygidae - Kiwis
• Anseriformes/Anatidae - Ducks, Geese, and Swans
• Galliformes/Cracidae - Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows
• Galliformes/Odontophoridae - New World Quail
• Galliformes/Phasianidae - Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies
• Phoenicopteriformes/Phoenicopteridae - Flamingos
• Podicipediformes/Podicipedidae - Grebes
• Columbiformes/Columbidae - Pigeons and Doves
• Musophagiformes/Musophagidae - Turacos
• Cuculiformes/Cuculidae - Cuckoos
• Caprimulgiformes/Caprimulgidae - Nightjars and Allies
• Caprimulgiformes/Nyctibiidae - Potoos
• Caprimulgiformes/Steatornithidae - Oilbird
• Caprimulgiformes/Apodidae - Swifts 
• Caprimulgiformes/Trochilidae - Hummingbirds 
• Opisthocomiformes/Opisthocomidae - Hoatzin
• Gruiformes/Rallidae - Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
• Gruiformes/Aramidae - Limpkin
• Gruiformes/Gruidae - Cranes
• Charadriiformes/ Chionidae - Sheathbills 
• Charadriiformes/Jacanidae - Jacanas
• Charadriiformes/Scolopacidae - Sandpipers and Allies
• Charadriiformes/Alcidae - Auks, Mures, and Puffins
• Charadriiformes/Laridae - Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
• Gaviiformes/Gaviidae - Loons
• Sphenisciformes/Spheniscidae - Penguins
• Ciconiiformes/Ciconiidae - Storks
• Pelecaniformes/Ardeidae - Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns 
• Cathartiformes/Cathartidae - New World Vultures
• Accipitriformes/Accipitridae - Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
• Strigiformes/Strigidae - Owls
• Trogoniformes/ Trogonidae - Trogons
• Coraciiformes/Alcedinidae - Kingfishers
• Coraciiformes/Meropidae - Bee-eaters 
• Piciformes/Ramphastidae - Toucans
• Piciformes/Indicatoridae - Honeyguides
• Piciformes/Picidae - Woodpeckers
• Falconiformes/Falconidae - Falcons and Caracaras
• Psittaciformes/Strigopidae - New Zealand Parrots
• Psittaciformes/Cacatuidae - Cockatoos 
• Psittaciformes/Psittaculidae - Old World Parrots 
• Psittaciformes/Psittacidae - New World and African Parrots
• Passeriformes/Thamnophilidae - Typical Antbirds 
• Passeriformes/Rhinocryptidae - Tapaculos
• Passeriformes/Pipridae - Manakins
• Passeriformes/Cotingidae - Cotingas
• Passeriformes/ Tyrannidae - Tyrant Flycatchers
• Passeriformes/Ptilonorhynchidae - Bowerbirds
• Passeriformes/Meliphagidae - Honeyeaters 
• Passeriformes/Orthonychidae - Logrunners
• Passeriformes/Psophodidae - Whipbirds and Wedgebills
• Passeriformes/Eulacestomatidae - Ploughbill
• Passeriformes/ Vireonidae - Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis
• Passeriformes/Oriolidae - Old World Orioles 
• Passeriformes/Paradisaeidae - Birds-of-Paradise
• Passeriformes/Laniidae - Shrikes
• Passeriformes/Corvidae - Crows, Jays, and Magpies
• Passeriformes/Paridae - Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice
• Passeriformes/Alaudidae - Larks
• Passeriformes/Pnoepygidae - Cupwings
• Passeriformes/Hirundinidae - Swallows
• Passeriformes/Sylviidae - Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills, and Allies
• Passeriformes/Regulidae - Kinglets
• Passeriformes/Sittidae - Nuthatches
• Passeriformes/Certhiidae - Treecreepers
• Passeriformes/Polioptilidae - Gnatcatchers
• Passeriformes/Troglodytidae - Wrens
• Passeriformes/Cinclidae - Dippers
• Passeriformes/Mimidae - Mockingbirds and Thrashers
• Passeriformes/ Turdidae - Thrushes and Allies
• Passeriformes/Bombycillidae - Waxwings
• Passeriformes/Mohoidae - an extinct group of Hawaiian Honeyeaters 
• Passeriformes/Estrildidae - Waxbills, Munias, and allies
• Passeriformes/ Fringillidae - Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
• Passeriformes/Passerellidae - New World Sparrows
• Passeriformes/Icteridae - Troupials and Allies
• Passeriformes/Parulidae - New World Warblers 
• Passeriformes/Cardinalidae - Cardinals and Allies

This course is geared toward learners of all types. 

Course Accommodations 

• We all learn in different ways, and I am happy to remove barriers to learning by allowing students to participate in a variety of ways in this live, online course. 
• I keep my course sizes small, allowing me support individual learner needs. 
• Please feel welcome, at any time, to reach out to me to discuss any challenges your learner is facing and how I can help through course modifications and accommodations. You are always welcome to suggest a modification  that will help your learner. 

There are some helpful tools/features that are already built into this course to help support students with diverse learning needs.