Through our research, we discovered that cardinals do not travel to warmer locations during the winter months. As students explored the topic of cardinals, they expressed curiosity and asked many questions about these striking red-feathered birds. Some of their inquiries included, “Why are cardinals called winter birds?”, “Why do they stay in colder regions instead of migrating to warmer areas?” and “Are there cardinals in Canada?”

In addition to learning the scientific fact that cardinals can retain thermal energy, the class also practiced paragraph writing on the subject. Students further engaged in a directed drawing activity, following techniques to create a vibrant, pastel-colored image of a cardinal.