Marsh Mural

SUMMARY:	Create a marsh habitat in your classroom and learn about all of its inhabitants, especially marsh birds. This lesson is part of a series. Select this text to learn more about the series and how to extend its usefulness.
OBJECTIVES:	Students will learn about the birds that live in marsh habitats in this creative research project.
SUBJECTS:	Art & Science
GRADES:	2-5
LENGTH:	1 - 2 hours

Background: Marshes are important summer and spring habitats for many birds; providing food, breeding grounds, and protection from predators. Marshes are flat areas with standing or slow moving water, rich with insect and plant life during the warm seasons.

Materials: Large sheet of mural or butcher paper, construction paper, markers, tape, and resource books.

How to:

1. Discuss in a group what a marsh habitat is like. Make a list of all the natural features in a marsh including water, grass, and reeds. Discuss what birds would live in a marsh and make a list. The following are some bird species that can be found in marsh areas: American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Willet, Marsh Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Common Yellowthroat, American Coot, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Canada Goose, and the Great Horned Owl.
2. Once everyone is familiar with marshes you can create a marsh habitat on your
3. classroom wall. Start with drawing the natural features of the marsh on the paper.
4. Have each student make a bird of their choice and place their bird in the marsh habitat where it would live.