Backyard and Migratory Bird Conservation

[Wendy Nadherny Fachon]

Dear Educators and Learning Leaders, 

Dovetailing with Great Backyard Bird Count (February 13-16, 2026),

I’m excited to share a classroom-ready learning resource connected to my recent Story Walking Radio Hour episode on birds, migration, and how human environments affect wildlife: 

👉 https://dreamvisions7radio.com/bird-building-collision-monitoring/ 

This episode explores how birds navigate, why they migrate, and how human-made systems—such as glass and artificial light—can unintentionally disrupt their journeys. To extend the learning, I’ve developed a Smart Bird Kidz Quiz that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving for upper elementary and middle-grade learners. 

Here are a few ways educators are using this resource to deepen learning: 

1. Science + Stewardship Mini-Lesson 
Use the podcast episode as a listening anchor, followed by the attached quiz to explore migration, navigation, and human impact. Conclude with a discussion on practical actions students can take. 

2. Outdoor or Window-Watch Extension 
Pair the quiz with an observation walk around the school or home. Students identify reflective glass or nighttime lighting and consider safer design choices. 

3. Great Backyard Bird Count Companion 
Position the quiz as a preparatory activity before bird counts or citizen-science projects, helping students understand the purpose behind observation and conservation. 

4. Team-Based Learning Activity 
The point-based format works well for small groups, encouraging discussion, teamwork, and shared discovery rather than individual testing. 

5. Family & Community Engagement 
Extend learning beyond the classroom by inviting families to explore their own windows, lighting, and outdoor spaces together. 

If this aligns with your curriculum or environmental learning goals, I invite you to explore additional Story Walking educational episodes, classroom resources, and learning tools at https://storywalking.com/school-connections/, where educators are actively integrating these materials into their programs. 

Warm regards, 
Storywalker Wendy