Lesson Plans for the Wings on the Wind Program
Grades 4 - 8 

The Wings on the Wind Program is a comprehensive program in three parts: a school visit, a field trip to Pinnacles national Monument, and another school visit. The first portion, An Introduction to Endangered Species, can also be presented individually.

School visit:
An Introduction to Endangered Species   

In this lesson, students will learn about endangered species around the world with the hope that someday they will try to preserve animals from extinction. In the first part of this lesson, students will learn the importance of saving endangered species and the specific animals that need our help.

The second part of this lesson brings students closer to endangered species that live right in their "backyard" and what is being done to protect them.

Ranger-led lessons are presented in the classroom and are offered September-May, Monday-Friday for a duration of 1 hour. (Additional times may be available upon request)

Park Visit:
The Reintroduction of the California Condor 

In this lesson, students will visit Pinnacles National Monument and become immersed in the resources of the park. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to share knowledge, through personal experience, regarding the California condor recovery effort. They will calculate and layout the dimensions of a hack (release) site, participate in a simulation of the Condor's ever-changing environment and determine what makes good or bad habitat, what constitutes a desirable diet and threats that endanger their survival. This will all be accomplished while the students are in the California condor’s ecosystem.

This Ranger-led lesson may be presented in either the East or West District of the Park. It is offered September-May, Monday-Friday for a duration of 4 hours. Additional times may be available upon request. 

School visit:
Spreading the Word

In this lesson, students will continue their discussion regarding the necessary conditions for a desirable habitat and nesting area, what constitutes a desirable diet, and the threats that endanger Condor survival. Students will develop a persuasive advertising campaign through the creation of posters, slogans, songs and jingles focusing on saving the California condor. Additionally, students will conduct research on the plight of other threatened or endangered species and subsequently compare and contrast their findings to that of the California condor. This information will be compiled into a research paper and ultimately (if the school offers web hosting) posted on the World Wide Web.