Washougal fourth graders take flight with hands-on birdhouse project

This initiative not only teaches students about local bird species and their habitats but also provides a unique opportunity for cross-grade collaboration within the Washougal School District

Fourth-grade students in Washougal took their science and math lessons beyond the classroom walls through an innovative birdhouse building project. This initiative not only teaches students about local bird species and their habitats but also provides a unique opportunity for cross-grade collaboration within the Washougal School District.

The project kicked off with science lessons focused on local birds. Students learned to identify different species found in Washougal and honed their observation skills during “bird watch walks” around their school campuses. They meticulously recorded their findings in journals, sketching birds and noting distinct features for later identification. Research into the nesting habits of local birds, including American Robins, Pacific Wrens, and Rufous Hummingbirds, helped students understand the specific housing needs of various species and where birdhouses would be most effective.

Simultaneously, math lessons provided the foundational skills for the building phase. Students delved into measurements of length, calculating area and perimeter, and explored how different birdhouse structures cater to diverse bird species. This integrated approach ensured students understood the practical application of their mathematical knowledge.

Columbia River Gorge Elementary School Teacher Samantha Howard wrote the lesson plans used to guide the project, providing both background information about birds and the connections learning standards for math and science lessons.  

Howard said, “Students are eager to connect their learning to real-life experiences with birds. They frequently notice birds on the way to school or during recess and are excited to share what they’ve seen. Their enthusiasm sparks a level of curiosity and questioning that goes beyond what the science and math standards alone can cover.”

Thanks to a generous grant from the Washougal Schools Foundation, this classroom learning seamlessly transitioned into a hands-on building project. Utilizing pre-cut materials, students constructed birdhouses designed to support nesting birds in the community. The project fostered district-wide collaboration: Washougal High School Woods Technology classes created the birdhouse kits, while middle school students from Canyon Creek and Jemtegaard Middle Schools provided direct support to Cape Horn-Skye and Columbia River Gorge Elementary students, mentoring the younger students through the construction process.

Superintendent Aaron Hansen, who wrote the grant for this project, said, “We are incredibly grateful to the Washougal Schools Foundation for their generous grant, which was instrumental in bringing this fantastic birdhouse project to life. It’s truly inspiring to see our students not only apply their science and math skills in a tangible way, but also to have meaningful collaboration with older students and community volunteers. This project is a wonderful example of how students can apply classroom learning to real-world projects that support our Washougal community.”

With the grant covering materials and tools, every fourth grader was able to take home the birdhouse they created. The learning continues as students will use their birdhouses to monitor and journal about the birds that nest in their new creations, further extending their scientific observations into the community.

Hansen added, “The success of the birdhouse project was made even more meaningful thanks to the incredible support of volunteers from across our community. Current staff members, Camas-Washougal Rotarians, and Read Northwest volunteers all played a key role in guiding and encouraging students as they built their birdhouses. Their presence not only provided valuable assistance, but also modeled the spirit of service and collaboration that is evident in the Washougal community. We are grateful for their time, energy, and commitment to supporting student learning in such a tangible and lasting way.”

This collaborative project exemplifies the Washougal School District’s commitment to providing engaging, hands-on learning experiences that connect academic concepts to real-world applications.

Information provided by the Washougal School District.