The Amazing Eagle Journey: A Classroom Adventure

Our second and third grade classes have been on a fascinating learning journey, thanks to the incredible eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, living at Big Bear Lodge in San Bernardino, California. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been closely observing their nesting behavior and the trials they face as they raise their young. What started as a simple class interest has transformed into a real-time nature study, and it has been nothing short of an amazing experience!

In late January, Jackie laid three eggs, which kicked off an exciting time for the class. We’ve been watching the eagles as they take turns incubating the eggs. This is a huge responsibility, and we can see how they work together, taking turns to stay on the nest while the other goes off to hunt and gather food. It's been a wonderful opportunity to observe their teamwork and dedication.

What’s made the experience even more interesting is the variety of visitors that come to the nest. Some are friendly, while others aren’t quite so welcome! We’ve seen other birds, and sometimes even other animals, trying to get close to the nest. The eagles have shown us what it means to protect their home, using fierce but controlled responses to defend their territory. It’s a beautiful display of how animals interact with their environment and each other.

One of the highlights of this experience came when Mrs. Kimble was able to arrange a virtual session with the team of biologists studying these eagles. These dedicated professionals have worked tirelessly to set up a high-tech camera system to monitor the eagles from above. The camera, which is camouflaged 150 feet up in a tree, allows us to watch the eagles without disturbing them. The students had a chance to ask the biologists a wide range of questions—everything from how the camera was set up to the daily life of an eagle. I was thrilled to hear that the team was so impressed with our students’ thoughtful and insightful questions. In fact, they even reached out afterward to let me know how much they appreciated the class’s engagement. They mentioned they were sending us something in the mail, and we can’t wait to see what it is!

While we’re all hopeful that the eggs will hatch, we know that nature doesn’t always follow a predictable path. The students have been prepped for this possibility, learning about the ups and downs of wildlife observation. Regardless of the outcome, watching the eagles has been an invaluable learning experience. It's given us a deeper understanding of wildlife and its natural rhythms, and a chance to witness nature in action, live and unfiltered.

The adventure doesn't end there! Our class has been following the eagles through a high-definition live cam, which streams footage of Jackie and Shadow. There are two separate cameras tracking the eagles, giving us a full view of their nest and their daily interactions. Watching the eagles has become a daily routine for the students—an activity they look forward to with anticipation each day. The live stream is so clear, it feels like we’re right there with them in the forest!

In the end, this journey with Jackie and Shadow has been more than just a classroom project. It’s been an opportunity to connect with nature, understand the challenges faced by wildlife, and see firsthand the wonder of the animal kingdom. We’re excited to continue following the eagles and can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.