Mrs. Bunting's Bird Authorities Use Technology
Grades 1-3
Description: Young ornithologists
in the primary grades learn about and write descriptions of their favorite
birds. Through use of scanning and word processing, they create several
pages describing "their birds."
Hardware and Software: computers, scanner (optional), printer, word
processing software, Audubon CD (optional) and or other bird-related
software. World Wide Web sites may be used if bookmarked ahead of time or
captured to class or lab computers.
Other Needs: information on
birds, photocopier (optional--bird watching area)
Time Required: unit project
Objectives:
- To encourage students to take an interest in nature studies
- To teach students about birds
- To show students how to put information into the computer
and save the information
- To give students practice in word processing and editing
- To help students create a product they will be proud
of
Procedures:
In the regular classroom students learn about birds and
form a Young Ornithologist Club. They place feeders on the campus and are
responsible for feeding their feathered friends. They learn what foods
different birds like to eat by watching the birds and taking part in learning
activities. They use books, CDs, bird software, and WWW sites to find information.
Each student is designated as a specialist on one or two
types of birds. Students find information on their birds and use the word
processor to put what they have learned into the computer. During the time
the students are putting information into the computer, skills dealing
with spacing, fonts and sizes of fonts are taught. Students learn to edit
and check their spelling on the computer.
Student ornithologists find pictures of their birds online or scan their
own
bird pictures into the computer. With the help of older students and
teachers, the pictures are pasted into word processing document.
Students also make their own drawings of favorite birds using software
such
as Kid Pix. These drawings are also placed in the text.
Each ornithologist has, when finished, a page or two in
a word processing document. The pages created by each student are printed.
Students then give a short oral report on "their birds" using
their pages for notes and for showing illustrations to classmates. After
display in the classroom or in the school halls, the pages are taken home
and given to parents.
Follow-up/Extensions: In addition
to the descriptions of birds, pages may include: information of bird feeding
and feeders, the address of the National Audubon Society, maps of where
different birds are found, a data base of birds, general bird anatomy,
different types of nests, quotations about birds, good places for birdwatching,
etc.
The pages might, in addition be photocopied and made into
a booklet.
Adaptions: Text material may be substituted for the Audubon CD and bird
software and sites. If a computer lab is not available, the pages may be
completed through group or individual work on a classroom computer.
Some WWW sites that might help you with this lesson:
National Audubon Society <http://www.audubon.org/>
Project FeederWatch <http://birdsource.cornell.edu/>
Partners in Flight <http://www.pwrc.nbs.gov/pif/>
Watch List of Birds <http://www.audubon.org/bird/watch/index.html>
Suggestions for Parents: Parents
will enjoy carrying out some of the activities in this lesson with their
children at home. Families will especially appreciate traveling to the
websites suggested above.
Submitted by:
Celeste Bunting and ,1st Grade Teacher
Kathy Hagar, Computer Teacher
Worcester Country School
P.O. Box 1006
Berlin, Maryland 21811
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