Tools for Educators

The resources below are for educators to use with all age groups. Click on the links, and you’ll find original lesson plans, all written by teachers for teachers. Use the menu below to browse by subject or grade level.  Many lessons and activities can be adjusted for use with different grades so be sure to check out every one!

Teacher packet
Learners in grades pre-K-2
Learners in grades 3-5
Learners in grades 6-8
Learners in grades 9-12
Archived lessons 

  Teacher packet (resources for all ages) 

• Lesson Plan for All Ages: What is a Raptor?
  
  
• Guide to Identification of Midwest Raptors. Use this one-page handout to familiarize your group with common raptors found in the Midwest.
  
  
• Recommended Reading: Raptor Reading Lists for Children Ages 4-8 and 9-12. Inspire your students to read about raptors.
  
  
• Pre/Post Survey: This survey is ideal for use after a visit to The Raptor Center or when you have our avian ambassadors visit your school. The survey is a 10-question multiple-choice tool to help you assess the knowledge your students gained through their raptor learning experience. Tailor the survey to meet your group’s needs by removing questions or adding your own.
  
  
• Vocabulary List for Raptor Lovers

  Learners in grades pre-K-2 

• Make Your Own Owl Pellet Craft: cotton ball owl pellets
  
  
• Short-eared Owl Mask
  
  
• Falcon KWL Chart

  Learners in grades 3-5 

• Eagle-Eyed
  
  
• Owl Pellet Activity Guide
  Find out how to purchase owl pellets directly from TRC!
  
  
• Raptor Poetry

  Learners in grades 6-8 

• Bald Eagle Basic Skills Math
  
  
• Recycling for Raptors (service-learning activity)
  
  
• Raptor Poster Project

  Learners in grades 9-12 

• Bald Eagle Population Graphing
  
  
• It’s all Interconnected
  
  
• Predator-Prey Relationships
  
  
• Recycling for Raptors (service-learning activity)

  Archived lessons 

The Raptor Center has made unique lessons available for educators since 1990. In this section, you will find the following archived lessons and activities:

• Radical Raptors
• Lake and Pond Study
• River Study
• The Rain Forest
• Wetland Wonders
• Nest Watch
• Making Your Own Sampling Tools
• Macroinvertebrate Sampling
• Shoreline Seining and Sampling
• My Favorite Meal
• The Write Thing To Do

Did you use a Raptor Center activity or lesson with your group? Tell us what you think and be entered to win a chance to visit The Raptor Center with your group for free! E-mail us today at raptored@umn.edu.