weekly

or for 4 classes

Birding 101

Ages 13-18

Live Group Class

Jumpstart your backyard birding skills with this one-time class which teachers learners how to train their eyes and ears for common birds.

Holly Thomas

Live video meetings

1x per week, 4 weeks

1-5 learners per class

60 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

4 live meetings

4 in-class hours

Projects

1 hour per week. Birding Journal/Log

Letter Grade

included

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8

Beginner Level

In Birding 101, students will learn the basics of birding. Topics will include: 

- Basic bird anatomy and behavior
- Classification of birds
- How to train your eyes
- How to train your ears 
- Keeping a birding log

By the end of this course, my hope is for every student to be excited and confident about going outside to enjoy the variety of birds in their own backyard.

Learning Goals

Identify basic bird anatomy

Describe bird behaviors

Syllabus

4 Lessons

over 4 Weeks

Lesson 1:

Anatomy and Physiology

 Birds have unique anatomy and behavior that is used to help identify them in the field. In this lesson, we'll learn these basic and how to use them it to identify birds.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 2:

Classification

 All animals are classified into certain taxonomic groups. In this lesson, we will learn how birds are classified and the most common groupings of birds which are used in field guides.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 3:

Identify by Sight and Sound

 In this lesson, we'll learn key characteristics to focus on when identifying birds by sight and sound and practice what this looks like in the field.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 4:

Let's Go Birding!

 In our final lesson, you'll walk with me around my home to identify birds we hear and see and practice recording our observations in a field notebook.

60 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Parental Guidance

Internal and skeletal anatomy of birds will be modeled.

Supply List

Small Notebook
Binoculars (optional)
Bird Field Guide (optional)

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Sources

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Meet the teacher

Holly Thomas

Joined March, 2025

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Wyoming Teaching Certificate in Science

Master's Degree in Education from Western Governor’s University

I have taught wildlife science and outdoor education at the middle and high school level for four years. Prior to this, I worked as a wildlife biologist and surveyed bird populations throughout the Rocky Mountain region.