- Skip to SectionOverview
- Lesson Preview
- Teaching Materials
- Feedback
- JobViz Career Connections
- Standards
- Version notes
- Overview
- Lesson Preview
- Teaching Materials
- Feedback
- JobViz Career Connections
- Standards
- Version notes
What Do Birds Do in Winter?
A data-driven investigation of remarkable adaptations
Sponsored by:
Drs. Maria Stager (UMass Amherst) and Dai Shizuka (University of Nebraska).
The Gist:
Explore the secret lives of nonmigratory winter birds! Use data, games, and simulations to uncover their unique adaptations for surviving the cold and reveal the 'feathered flurries of activity' in the dead of winter.
Target Subject:
ScienceGrades:
6-8Estimated Time:
3 x 45 min lessonsTarget Subject:
ScienceGrades:
6-8Estimated Time:
3 x 45 min lessonsTarget standards:
JobViz Career Connections:
Driving Question(s):
- How do birds cope with the cold?
- How does temperature affect the feeding patterns of birds over winter?
Hook(s):
Play a trivia game to identify adaptations of birds in winter. Participate in a simulation modeling the feeding patterns of Downy Woodpeckers. Analyze data of the actual scientists studying birds overwinter
Keywords:
torporadaptationsnatural selectionhibernationornithologydata literacydice gamesimulation
3 x 45 min
Available Grade Bands
Available Teaching Environments
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to...
Differentiate between winter survival strategies.
Identify adaptations of birds in winter.
Make predictions about feeding behavior in birds overwinter.
Materials for G6-8 (Lesson 1)
Presentation (Lesson 1)
Need: WiFi, Computer, Projector, Sound
Student Worksheet (Lesson 1)
Print 1 Per Student
- For teachers guides, sign in with a free account!
Teacher Worksheet (Lesson 1)
Print 1
Steps & Flow
15 min: Background
15 min: Background
1.What do birds do in the winter?
What do birds do in the winter?
1.What do birds do in the winter?
What do birds do in the winter?
- Migrate: Fly away to a warmer place
- Overwinter: Stick it out in the cold months
- Hibernate: Sleep through the winter
15 min: Connect
15 min: Connect
2.What are some adaptations of birds that stay in cold climates for winter?
What are some adaptations of birds that stay in cold climates for winter?
2.What are some adaptations of birds that stay in cold climates for winter?
What are some adaptations of birds that stay in cold climates for winter?
Test your knowledge in a trivia game to match winter time adaptations with the correct bird!
The "Game Slides" are embedded in the Lesson 1 presentation. Students will fill in the missing information for each bird on their student sheet.
This game can be played in small groups, partners, or independently. Choose the option that works best for your learners.
10 min: Hypothesize
10 min: Hypothesize
3.What are some possible explanations for feeding patterns of birds overwinter?
What are some possible explanations for feeding patterns of birds overwinter?
3.What are some possible explanations for feeding patterns of birds overwinter?
What are some possible explanations for feeding patterns of birds overwinter?
5 min: Closure
5 min: Closure
4.Exit Ticket
Exit Ticket
4.Exit Ticket
Exit Ticket
Give students the chance to reflect on, and make a claim about which bird in this lesson they think has the coolest adaptation. Encourage students to defend their thinking.
Going Further
Ideas and resources for deepening learning on this topic.
"OKAY, But Birds" Podcast: Okay, but how do birds stay warm?
Dr. Maria Stager (whose work this unit is based on) is the guest on this podcast discussing her work. Check it out!
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to...
Make connections between winter temperatures and feeding behavior in birds.
Simulate feeding behaviors of Downy Woodpeckers.
Learn how scientists collect data to understand feeding behavior of birds overwinter.
Materials for G6-8 (Lesson 2)
Presentation (Lesson 2)
Need: WiFi, Computer, Projector, Sound
- For teachers guides, sign in with a free account!
Teacher Handout (Lesson 2)
Print 1
Student Worksheet
Print 1 Per Student
- For teachers guides, sign in with a free account!
Teacher Worksheet (Lesson 2)
Print 1
Worksheet
Steps & Flow
5 min: Review
5 min: Review
1.How do birds cope with the cold of winter?
How do birds cope with the cold of winter?
1.How do birds cope with the cold of winter?
How do birds cope with the cold of winter?
10 min: Background
10 min: Background
2.What are some more adaptations of birds overwinter?
What are some more adaptations of birds overwinter?
2.What are some more adaptations of birds overwinter?
What are some more adaptations of birds overwinter?
Watch [ERROR: CHECK {vid2} REFERENCE. NO LINK FOUND]() to discover… Then learn more about the Downy Woodpecker.
- Forage: Search for food
- Cache: Hide food
15 min: Simulation
15 min: Simulation
3.Can you help a Downy Woodpecker survive 4 days in winter by foraging?
Can you help a Downy Woodpecker survive 4 days in winter by foraging?
3.Can you help a Downy Woodpecker survive 4 days in winter by foraging?
Can you help a Downy Woodpecker survive 4 days in winter by foraging?
This simulation parallels the real research of scientists studying these overwinter birds, while students gain experience collecting their own data. The game can be played individually, in pairs, or in small groups, but we recommend small groups so students can discuss strategy.
-Materials Required: dice (1 per student, partnership, or small group) -Optional Materials: Small tokens that can be used to visualize the food points in this simulation. We recommend dried beans (30 per student, partnership, or small group).
10 min: Reflection
10 min: Reflection
4.Did your bird surivive?
Did your bird surivive?
4.Did your bird surivive?
Did your bird surivive?
Facilitate a class discussion about the simulation using the questions on the slides. This is a chance to discover what worked, what didn't, and what could be done differently if given the chance to play again (something we totally encourage!).
5 min: Exit Ticket
5 min: Exit Ticket
5.How do you think the foraging behavior of Downy Woodpeckers changes with the seasons?
How do you think the foraging behavior of Downy Woodpeckers changes with the seasons?
5.How do you think the foraging behavior of Downy Woodpeckers changes with the seasons?
How do you think the foraging behavior of Downy Woodpeckers changes with the seasons?
Continue the class discussion by getting students to share out their thoughts on this question.
Possible responses are included in the speaker notes on the Exit Ticket slide.
Going Further
Ideas and resources for deepening learning on this topic.
Science Friday Podcast: How A Woodpecker Pecks Wood, And How Ants Crown A Queen
"OKAY, But Birds" Podcast: Okay, but how do birds stay warm?
Dr. Maria Stager (whose work this unit is based on) is the guest on this podcast discussing her work. Check it out!
Materials for G6-8 (Lesson 3)
Presentation (Lesson 3)
Need: WiFi, Computer, Projector, Sound
- For teachers guides, sign in with a free account!
Teacher Worksheet (Lesson 3)
Print 1
Handout
Student Worksheet
Print 1 Per Student
Steps & Flow
5 min: Review
5 min: Review
1.How does temperature affect foraging behavior in Downy Woodpeckers?
How does temperature affect foraging behavior in Downy Woodpeckers?
1.How does temperature affect foraging behavior in Downy Woodpeckers?
How does temperature affect foraging behavior in Downy Woodpeckers?
15 min: Connect
15 min: Connect
2.How does the data from the simulation in Lesson 2 compare to real data?
How does the data from the simulation in Lesson 2 compare to real data?
2.How does the data from the simulation in Lesson 2 compare to real data?
How does the data from the simulation in Lesson 2 compare to real data?
Students analyze the real-world foraging data. Then they compare data gathered in the simulation from Lesson 2 with the actual foraging behavior of Downy Woodpeckers, and answer guided questions about the data sets.
- Trend Line: a line indicating the general course or tendency of a set of points on a graph
20 min: Data Analysis
20 min: Data Analysis
3.What can we infer from the data about the foraging behavior of another overwintering bird?
What can we infer from the data about the foraging behavior of another overwintering bird?
3.What can we infer from the data about the foraging behavior of another overwintering bird?
What can we infer from the data about the foraging behavior of another overwintering bird?
Scientists are also studying the foraging behavior of White-Breasted Nuthatches. Students will explore this data and use evidence to draw conclusions about another overwintering bird. Then, watch [ERROR: CHECK {vid3} REFERENCE. NO LINK FOUND]() to hear the scientists explain their findings.
Encourage students to recognize that the trend line on the Downy Woodpecker feeder graph is much steeper than the trend line on the WB Nuthatch graph.
5 min: Exit Ticket
5 min: Exit Ticket
4.How do scientists learn about overwintering bird behaviors?
How do scientists learn about overwintering bird behaviors?
4.How do scientists learn about overwintering bird behaviors?
How do scientists learn about overwintering bird behaviors?
Read the two Exit Ticket questions aloud. Students record their responses on their worksheets.
Going Further
Ideas and resources for deepening learning on this topic.
"The avian 'hibernation' enigma: thermoregulatory patterns and roost choice of the common poorwill"
Introduce students to scientific controversy with this awesome study in Oecologia demonstrating extended torpor (hibernation?) in a crazy bird.
"OKAY, But Birds" Podcast: Okay, but how do birds stay warm?
Dr. Maria Stager (whose work this unit is based on) is the guest on this podcast discussing her work. Check it out!
"Rings and Pings: Overwintering Locations and Movements of Sharp-shinned Hawks"
Challenge students to dive into this recent study on overwintering behavior of hawks in the Journal of Raptor Research
Materials for Assessments
BirdsInWinterAssessmentDigital
- For teachers guides, sign in with a free account!
Birds in WinterAssessmentPrint (TEACHER KEY)
Birds in WinterAssessmentPrint (STUDENT)
🙏 Help us keep this unit free
Share your feedback in < 5 min to help us demonstrate impact to funders:
- [For teachers]()
- To share student learning and feedback, please use the digital assessment (Google Form) in the Assessments section. Then share the link to results with feedback@galacticpolymath.com.
Jobs and careers related to the "What Do Birds Do in Winter?" unit:
- Forest and conservation workers
- Data scientists
- Natural sciences managers
- Animal scientists
- Zoologists and wildlife biologists
- Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
Target Standard(s)
Dimension:Performance Expectation
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will explore feeding patterns of birds overwinter. They will analyze and interpret data in graphs, make hypotheses about the data, and interact with a variation of the data in a simulation.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will use authentic data to draw conclusions about the connection between temperature and feeding behavior of overwintering birds.
Connected Standard(s)
Dimension:Measurement, Data, Probability & Statistics
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will analyze data sets to identify patterns in temperature changes and feeding behaviors of birds overwinter.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will analyze data sets to identify patterns in temperature changes and feeding behaviors of birds overwinter.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will analyze data sets to identify patterns in temperature changes and feeding behaviors of birds overwinter.
Dimension:Writing
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will use both qualititative and quantitative data as evidence to support claims.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will use both qualititative and quantitative data as evidence to support claims.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will use both qualititative and quantitative data as evidence to support claims.
Dimension:Science & Engineering Practices
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will observe data, images, and videos of birds in winter to develop questions about feeding behaviors.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students can connect with this content by observing birds where they live. This unit provides an easily accessible way to observe real-world phenomena in populations of birds.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will apply concepts of adaptations and feeding patterns of birds in winter from L1 and L2 to develop explanations for new data sets.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will interact with authentic data in graphs and simulations, and use this data as evidence to support their thinking.
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will analyze a new data set, and apply concepts of feeding patterns of birds to draw conclusions.
Dimension:Disciplinary Core ideas
How does the lesson address this standard?
Students will observe adaptations of birds that migrate and overwinter to understand how these characteristics help each bird survive the winter months.
Major Release Beta
0.1.0 Unit initialized
August 11, 2025