Children are our future, and it is with in mind that the Mississippi Coast Audubon Society, Audubon Mississippi, and their partners and sponsors have developed the Mississippi Classroom Activity Kit. The materials in this kit will assist K-12 teachers in introducing students of all ages to the wonderful world of wildlife in their backyards. Many of the suggested activities and materials also support Audubon's Great Backyard Bird Count, held annually in February.

Developed by a dedicated group of teachers, educators and Audubon members, this kit suggests activities for students in each of five age groups (K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8. 9-12th grades), all of which support the Mississippi Framework Standards for all subject areas. These activities were also designed to carry themes through multiple grade levels and provide opportunities for multidisciplinary study. The list should be used as a menu of opportunities to meet competencies.

This kit also provides support material in the form of printable activity sheets, fact sheets, and activity instructions, as well as websites where other support material may be obtained. Users of these materials are encouraged to expand upon and add to these basic building blocks and recognize that these suggestions represent but a fraction of the kinds of activities that can be conducted to help children connect to the natural world around them.You are limited only by your imagination and enthusiasm to challenge yourself and the children that you serve. These activities are not limited to preparing for the annual bird count alone, but should be viewed as being the basis for promoting a lifelong appreciation for nature. Please, however, review the file on Do's and Don'ts for promoting the count.

The Mississippi Classroom Activity Kit includes:

• Classroom lesson ideas for each grade group.
• Printable support materials, and
• Printable Certificates of Participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count

Please email Mozart Dedeaux or call 228-475-0825 to order  Classroom Activitiy Kits.