On Ancient Wings

The Sandhill Cranes of North America

Michael Forsberg 

Presenter Information
Lesson Information
Pre-Lesson
Tele-Lesson
Post-Lesson
Standands & Assessment

Presenter Information

Presenter: Michael Forsberg

Email Address:

Presentation Date: March 1, 2005

Web site URL: http://www.michaelforsberg.com/aboutmike.html

Michael Forsberg grew up in Nebraska and is dedicated to working extensively in the prairies of the Great Plains. Ultimately, he hopes his photographs capture the true spirit of the wide-open spaces of the Great Plains, build appreciation for its often misunderstood wildlife and landscapes, and inspire conservation efforts far into the future.

Mr. Forsberg is widely recognized for his extraordinary photographic work on sandhill cranes; indeed, many revere his crane images as among the best in the world. On Ancient Wings is Michael's first book and the result of a five year personal project on sandhill cranes.

Mr. Forsberg's work has appeared in publications including National Geographic, Audubon, Natural History, & National Wildlife and in books published by National Geographic and Smithsonian, among others. His fine art photographic prints can be found at the Michael Forsberg Gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska and in private and public collections around the world.

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Enrichment Information

Grade Level Audience

6-12 Grade

Curriculum Targets

Visal Arts - Photography

Social Studies - Geography

Creative Writing


Lesson Description:

Photographer/author Michael Forsberg, with his book On Ancient Wings &endash; The Sandhill Cranes of North America has captured the true essence of the sandhill crane. On purely informational and historical levels, this book offers solid background on the migratory bird, but through the lens of his camera and between the lines of his journals, Forsberg connects and uncovers the true, almost humanlike characteristics and lives of the cranes and those who are passionate about them. The interactive, live interview with Michael Forsberg on the day of this distance education event is an excellent addition to any study of the sandhill crane, starting from a biological, geographical, psychological backdrop to a study of photography or the visual arts, as well as a perfect opportunity for creative writing of all types.

Lesson Objectives

  • Students will compose open-ended questions for Michael Forsberg that will enable all those involved to better relate to his work, art and the cranes.
  • Students will compile notes during the interview that they will refer to later when summarizing the experience.
  • Students will identify and expand upon the main points of Michael Forsberg's discussion/book by summarizing the information in a paragraph or two.

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Pre-Lesson

Taught by classroom teacher prior to the webcast (may be used as a culmination for a study of the sandhill crane/migratory animals/etc.)

Share background information with students on Michael Forsberg and his book, On Ancient Wings &endash; The Sandhill Cranes of North America. (See Resources/Websites section).

Allow students ample time to explore and appreciate On Ancient Wings &endash; The Sandhill Cranes of North America.

Have students formulate questions that they would like to ask Michael Forsberg on the day of the webcast. These questions should be written out and approved by the classroom teacher prior to the event.

Resources/Websites for preliminary educator use before Prelesson:

  • Forsberg, Michael. On Ancient Wings &endash; The Sandhill Cranes of North America. Lincoln, NE: Michael Forsberg Photography, 2002. &endash; A truly incredible book of photographs and commentary on the sandhill crane and its migration (Michael Forsberg will be interviewed, as well as answer any questions that students have on the day of the webcast).
  • http://www.michaelforsberg.com/ - The official Michael Forsberg website which includes background on Mr. Forsberg, examples of his work, the tools of his trade, etc.
  • http://www.rowesanctuary.org/ - the official website of the Rowe Sanctuary (just outside of Gibbon, NE) which includes a variety of information about cranecs and this local attraction
  • http://www.michiganaudubon.org/bakersanctuary/crane.htm - a very informative site that is sponsored by the Michigan Audobon Society's Baker Sanctuary
  • http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/bird/crane.php - a text-rich site that is sponsored by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i2060id.html - a no frills site that includes the bare essentials and a few photographs of the sandhill crane sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey

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Tele-Lesson

Museum Director Susan Reiber will conduct a live interview with Michael Forsberg. She will be asking questions of Mr. Forsberg about his work, his art, his book, and the sandhill crane. There will also be an opportunity for students to ask their questions directly to Mr. Forsberg.

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Post-Lesson

Classroom teachers will conduct the follow up/closure activities of their choice at their respective schools. The following are post-lesson ideas that might extend the 'On Ancient Wings' lesson:

Art Activity Ideas

  • Activity 1
    • Create an origial piece of art (abstract or realistic) inspired by one, or a collection, of the photographs in On Ancient Wings &endash; The Sandhill Cranes of North America.
  • Activity 2
    • Armed with a digital camera, find and photograph animals in their natural environment.
    • It might be interesting to "capture" the animals interacting with each other in humanlike ways.
    • Write a journal entry/poem/descriptor of what you see.

Social Studies/Geography Ideas

  • Activity 1
    • Plan for an imaginary journey of your own for following the migration of the sandhill crane (or any migratory animal).
    • Locate the destinations for the best viewing (possibly use mapquest.com) and create a labeled map of your proposed journey.
    • Write a journal entry or two of what you might have seen or encountered on your journey.
  • Activity 2
    • Research and write about one of the locations highlighted in On Ancient Wings &endash; The Sandhill Cranes of North America. Does this location coincide with the migration of other animals?

Creative Writing Ideas

  • Activity 1
    • Choose a photograph from On Ancient Wings &endash; The Sandhill Cranes of North America.
    • Write an original composition that is inspired by the photo. The original composition could be of any type, either teacher or student chosen.
    • Students' final drafts can be sent to ESU 10 (jstritt@esu10.org) to be posted on the distance education website.

Field Trip to MONA

  • Students would benefit from visiting the Michael Forsberg On Ancient Wings &endash; The Sandhill Cranes of North America exhibit at the MONA from March 1 &endash; April 24, 2005.
  • Educators are invited to attend a special reception with Michael Forsberg on March 5 from 4:00-6:00 pm.

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Assessment and Standards Connection

Assessment

Students will write a brief summary of the information that they gained during the interview and/or from their exploration of the book by hitting and expanding upon at least three main points.

Nebraska L.E.A.R.N.S. that apply to this lesson:

Nebraska Reading/Writing Standards:

  • 8.1.7/12.1.8 &endash; Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze literary works, nonfiction, films, or media.
  • 8/12.2.1 &endash; Students will write using standard English (conventions) for sentence structure, usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
  • 8/12.2.2 - Students will write compositions with a clear focus, logically related ideas, and adequate supporting detail.
  • 8/12.2.3 &endash; Students will revise and edit descriptive (persuasive) compositions.
  • 8/12.2.4 - Students will use a variety of forms to write for different audiences and purposes

Nebraska Science Standards:

  • 8.4.3 &endash; Students will develop an understanding of regulation and behavior.
  • 8.4.4 &endash; Students will develop an understanding from of populations and ecosystems.
  • 12.1.5 &endash; Students will develop an understanding of change over a period of time.
  • 12.4.4 &endash; Students will develop an understanding of the interdependence of organisms.
  • 12.4.6 &endash; Students will develop an understanding of the behavior of organisms.
  • 12.7.4 &endash; Students will develop an understanding of environmental quality.

National Visual Arts Standards:

  • Using knowledge of structures and functions
  • Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others
  • Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines

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