Bridging the Americas
Using neotropical migratory birds as a theme to enhance environmental and cultural awareness.
What is "Bridging the Americas/Unidos por las Aves?"
Bridging the Americas/Unidos por las Aves is a cross-cultural environmental education program that links elementary school classes in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC with classes in Latin America and the Caribbean through an exchange of art work and letters that focus on Neotropical migratory birds.
This group of birds consists of over 300 species that breed in the United States and Canada and spend the winter months in Latin America and the Caribbean, thus symbolizing the connections that exist between countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Since 1993, over 7,000 students from 280 classrooms in the United States, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, and the British Virgin Islands have participated.
Who coordinates this program and what are its goals?
Bridging the Americas/Unidos por las Aves is coordinated by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC).
The goals are to increase environmental awareness, to instill an appreciation for birds and the phenomenon of migration, and to stimulate an interest in learning about other countries and their cultures.
How does the program work?
All participating teachers receive a packet of teaching aids and information on migratory birds, including posters, a bilingual vocabulary list, suggested activities, and more. Each class in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. is matched with a class in Latin America or the Caribbean.
After learning about migratory birds as something special shared in common with their partner class, the children exchange drawings and letters which reflect not only what they have learned about birds but also information about themselves.
Letters sent to the partner class in Latin America or the Caribbean may need to be in Spanish. Teachers are encouraged to work with a volunteer from the school or community or with a high school Spanish class to translate letters written by individual students.
If no such arrangement is possible, the SMBC will translate a letter from the class as a whole to send along with the students' drawings.
As a teacher, how can I integrate this program into my current curricula?
This is a flexible program in that teachers are free to adapt it to fit their particular situation. The only requirements are that you engage your students in learning about migratory birds and that you complete one exchange of drawings and letters with your partner class.
In addition to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need to protect their habitats, this program offers a fresh approach to teaching geography, social studies, science, art, writing skills, and a foreign language. The birds provide a theme around which you can explore a number of related topics.
Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to have their students learn about their partner's country and its culture, as well as to discuss the importance of preserving a healthy environment for all.
- Highlights of the program
- Read an essay written by a teacher whose experience in the Bridging the Americas program inspired him to travel to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua with his family.
This program meets a variety of Standards of Learning for:
How do I sign up?
If you are an elementary school teacher in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC, Latin America, or the Caribbean, participation in Bridging the Americas/Unidos por las Aves is available free of charge.
The only "fee" is your commitment to exploring the world of migratory birds with your students and completing one exchange of drawings and letters with your partner class.
Signup Form
If you are interested in participating, please complete and submit the following application form.
For more information, contact Mary Deinlein (SMBC):
Email
