Living with the Landscape (LWL): (multi-visit program)
In 2000, Hawks Aloft began offering grant-funded, multiple-visit programs within New Mexico. These programs are among the most requested by teachers. The programs offer a focused, ongoing curriculum that fits easily into State Science Content Standards. The multiple visits enable a relationship between students and the educator to develop, which facilitates a more comfortable and effective learning environment. LWL Programs are completely grant-funded through the generosity of our sponsors (link to sponsors page).
Program Description
- generally awarded to 4th-6th grade classes in Albuquerque and statewide
- Four or five visit program spanning one school year
- hands-on, experiential approach to learning that also fits into State Science Content Standards
- multi-page teacher-student pamphlet to be used before and after the program for additional program content
- Classroom Activities include: interactive hands-on games, projects, and the presentation of live, non-releasable birds of prey
- One or two field trips to various State Parks, National Monuments, or other public and private natural areas
- Final conservation project designed and implemented by the classroom
Past projects have included: habitat creation and/or restoration (including bat boxes, birdhouses, and schoolyard habitat projects), native plantings, invasive-exotic plant removal, endangered species monitoring and anti-littering or water conservation campaigns within the school.
Topics covered in LWL programs
New Mexico Habitats Food Chains
Conservation Basic Bird Biology
Adaptation Migration
Pollution and Human Impact Predator/Prey Interactions
LWL Program Fees
The Living with the Landscape programs are grant-funded and are offered to schools at no cost or a very reduced cost. To receive this free program, we request that teachers be engaged in the programs, and willing to take the time to help schedule and plan for classroom visits and fieldtrips, as well as review our written materials with their students. Call to reserve a spot for your class soon, as programs are limited!
Birds of Prey Program: (single visit program)
Hawks Aloft educators travel to schools throughout New Mexico with age-specific, single-visit programs for students. These programs of between 1-1.5 hours, offer content designed to match teacher and curriculum needs and provides experiential, hands-on learning. Students interact with two live, non-releasable raptors at each program in addition to other fun interactive games and activities. Teachers receive advance information and activities to further enhance their students’ experience.
Program Description
- Available to schools throughout New Mexico
- single-visit programs of between 1-1.5 hours (duration depends on available time and age of the students)
- Presentation content designed to match teacher and curriculum needs
- Hands-on, experiential approach to learning
- Presentation of two live, non-releasable raptors
- Educational games and activities
- Teachers receive a pre-packet of information and activities to enhance their students’ experience
Available Topics for Birds of Prey program
Teachers may select from the following:
New Mexico Habitats Food Chains/Food Webs
Conservation Basic Bird Biology
Adaptations Cavity Nesting Birds
Migration
Birds of Prey Program Fees
Programs are for up to 50 students per class in local Albuquerque area (including Belen, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, and Algodones)
First program: $125.00 in Albuquerque area / $225 locations more than 50 miles away
Second program: Free (must follow First Program, same location and day)
Third program: $75.00 (same location, same day)
Need funds? Ask about grant-funded single-visit programs.
Reading with Raptors: (single visit program)
The Reading with Raptors single-visit program designed for younger children from preschool through first grade was implemented in 2010. Reading with Raptors programs are conducted in the Albuquerque area and other regions of the state as requested. This program typically lasts 30 minutes to one hour and focused on the basic adaptations of raptors to their environment. An educational story (usually Owl Babies by Martin Waddell) is read to the students and interactive puppets are used to engage them in the program. One or two live raptors, at least one of which is a small owl, are presented and used to illustrate basic bird and raptor facts.
Program Description
- conducted in the Albuquerque area and other regions of the state as requested
- single-visit program of 30 minutes to one hour
- designed for preschool through first grade students
Activities include:
- reading of an educational book (usually Owl Babies by Martin Waddell) accompanied by interactive puppets
- presentation of one or two live raptors, at least one of which was a small owl
- discussion of basic bird and raptor facts
- interactive Build a Raptor game to teach correct anatomical name for basic body parts
- discussion of basic adaptations of raptors to their environment
Reading with Raptors Program Fees*:
Programs are for up to 50 students per class.
First program: $125.00
Second program: Free (must follow First Program, same location and day)
Third program: $75.00 (same location, same day)
*Programs further than a two-hour round trip/60 miles from Albuquerque may incur additional mileage and lodging fees.
Need funds? Ask about grant-funded single-visit programs.
Contact us
Interested in bringing these programs to your classroom?
Have questions about our youth education programs?
Please contact us: education@hawksaloft.org or (505) 828-9455.
