1. Eagle Flying Patterns
Introduction: No matter where one lives whether in the country or the city, birds are part of everyday
life. Birds have been an inspiration to many mainly because they possess one key thing man cannot do.
Fly. With this comes the inspiration to determine the different patterns and variations among birds’
flight patterns. Beginning with eagles and spreading out to other bird species, one can be in awe of the
natural ability of birds.
Subject Areas: Science, English
Grade Level:5-8
Lesson Objectives:
1) Understand the definition of a flight pattern used by birds
2) To learn about the flight patterns of eagles
3) To choose another bird to learn about its flight patterns
4) Compare the two birds
5) Understand and list the similarities
6) Understand and list the differences
Relevant National Standards:
Language Arts:
Reading:
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas,
or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in
the text.
Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak
about the subject knowledgeably.
Writing:
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and
information clearly
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print
and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work,
and provide a list of sources.
Science:
Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of
the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and
speculation in a text.

2. Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or
multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
Estimated Time:Three to four 40 minute class periods (depending on amount of research)
Materials Needed:
1) Use a compare/contrast chart of choice (recommend Venn diagram)
2) Computer to look up flight patterns
3) http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/bald-eagle/
This site gives basic facts about eagles and has easy access to comparing other birds of
prey.
4) http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle10.html
Provides a description of an Eagles location and description of migration while having
other links above to other Eagle topics
5) http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/bald_eagle/id
Facts about Eagles with simple descriptions of how they fly and their behavior with links
to connect to similar birds of prey like the Eagle.
6) http://www.birdsamore.com/birds101/flightpatterns.htm
It has basic flying patterns connected to all birds along with what the Bald Eagle is
described as.
Procedures:
1) Begin the class period by starting a discussion about the difference the students find between
bird species. Possibly have pictures on a projection system/board so students can visually see
the differences at first hand.
2) Then ask the students the question of how to tell the difference between birds and how they fly.
3) After these two key discussions use the following website to further identify differences in flying
patterns between birds and allow the class to create a definition of flying patterns. (Not to be
confused with migration) http://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=1056On the website
there is a video of a bird flying to aid in discussion with the sections titled movement and flight
patterns.
4) Together as a class or in small groups, they should list the characteristics of an eagle’s flight
http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle10.html ,
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/bald_eagle/id ,
5) http://www.birdsamore.com/birds101/flightpatterns.htm This website has the 5 different flying
patterns you can discuss with the students. For a higher level use
http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/554notes3.html

3. 6) Assign or have students pick their second bird to compare to eagles and begin research with one
recommended site
http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/Photos/Hiking/Birds/BirdPages/Birdindex.htm
7) After enough time students should use the compare/contrast chart with the facts they’ve
learned about eagles and their choice of bird.
8) Have students look back at the original list of the different flight patterns and discuss which is
the most common trait
9) To close the lesson, have students use their chart and the class notes to write, at teacher’s
discretion, a compare/contrast paragraph about the eagle and the bird they chose.
10) At the end of the project have them list their sources
Assessment Suggestions:
1) Students could receive participation grades for discussion activities
2) Students could be graded on their accuracy when completing written graphic organizers
3) A scoring guide could be created to assess the written compare/contrast assignment completed
by each student
Extension Activities:
1) As an art project they could create a paper eagle that can fly by using this
site:http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/eagle/EagleFlightLesson.html. This can
encourage interest in the beginning of the assignment or a closure to the end of the
activity.
2) For a different lesson plan about flying patterns which could be used with a younger
level use this site,
http://www.rtpi.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1381:bird-flight-
patterns&catid=13:learning-about-our-place&Itemid=113.
3) Students could then after learning about their birds, demonstrate in front of the class
the flying patterns or have the students guess the differences.
4) Students could go beyond flight patterns and provide more information on the bird of
their choice. In addition they could aide their discoveries with the use of a power point
or project board.

4. 5) Photograph local bird(s)/discover which birds are in the area and learn about why they
are there.
6) Invite a local birder to come into the class room to talk about the birds in the area