Mrs. Sandy Beck, teacher

Tigers of the Sky A Class About Some of Nature's Most Amazing Creatures

She is a skilled hunter who can hear a mouse breathing beneath two feet of snow. She can see better beneath a moonless sky than we can at noon. She can glide silently across the night sky and blend in with the shadows of the forest. Hunting even in total darkness, her razor-sharp talons rarely miss.

This semester, you will learn about Tallahassee's four native species of owls, then go on to study and compare the other fascinating species that live in North America. You'll use the Internet, National Audubon Society CD-roms, field guides and other media to learn how to identify 18 different species by sight and sound.

You'll discover how the first owls evolved. You'll study their unique anatomy: their extraordinary skeleton and legendary senses of hearing and sight. You'll work with owl skulls and owl feathers. You'll become familiar with owl behavior and taxonomy. You'll examine owl pellets and recreate the skeletons of prey animals. You may also use real bones to create your own creatures and design their habitats.

You'll write poems and stories. You'll create owl paintings, mosaics, and sculptures. You'll play owl games.

During many classes, live owls, permanently disabled residents of the St. Francis Wildlife Association, will be perched in the classroom, observing you as you observe them!

Resources

Class Schedule

I-Search Project

I-Search PowerPoint Planner

Owl Links

Owls of the World: Common and Scientific Names

The Owls of Harry Potter

Crossword Puzzle

e-mail Sandy Beck

The Wild Classroom