Learning About Birds
Grades 1-4
Title: Birds of a Feather
Description: This lesson combines
many areas of the curriculum. Students work together in science, language,
reading, and computer classes. The children learn about birds as they use
resource materials, field guides, and entries from our classroom bird journal.
They help each other research information by working together in a cooperative
learning experience.
Hardware and Software Required:
Computer, word processing software, drawing software for young children,
printer.
Optional Hardware: scanner,
scanning software.
Other Needs: Variety of bird
field guides and other books pertaining to birds
Time Required: Approximately
four weeks
Objectives:
- To help the students learn more about specific birds.
- To encourage the children to use research materials.
- To encourage students to help and support each other
in learning.
- To acquaint the children with a variety of software and
encourage them to use this software in new and creative ideas.
Procedures:
Make a list of birds sighted on the school property. Have
the children add any birds to this list that they have observed at their
homes and in their neighborhoods. Each child can then select one or two
birds to research (according to the number of birds on the list and the
number of students in the class.) The children then work with their classmates
and the teacher using many resource materials. These materials might include
a variety of field guides, books on birds, web sites, magazines (such as
RANGER RICK), and other library text and CD references on specific birds.
First, the children read from a variety of sources or
the teacher may read to the children about the bird they are studying.
The children then write descriptions of the birds trying to note special
markings and color, behavior, habitat, and other special characteristics.
As an example: The ovenbird builds a nest shaped like a dutch oven on the
ground. The Baltimore Oriole builds a nest shaped like a pocketbook. The
Chickadee's call sounds like its own name as it says "chick-a-dee,
chick-a-dee, chick-a-dee-dee." Hawks and falcons are birds of prey
with special eating adaptations including a large hooked bill for tearing
and talons for grabbing hold of its prey. The Hummingbird can move its
wings so rapidly that it makes a buzzing or humming sound. The beak of
the Hummingbird is adapted to sip nectar from flowers. The children may
also note any special observations that have been recorded in the classroom
bird journal.
The compositions are proofread and typed on the computer
using the word processing program.
The children then draw a picture of their bird using Kid
Pix or other paint program stamps; a picture of the bird may be copied
using a scanning program. Children using the software program may create
an illustration on their own or modify an existing stamp by changing colors
and other characteristics.
It really is amazing what the children can do using these
programs. I have had one first grade student draw a picture (using the
Kid Pix drawing tools) of Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and its nestlings.
The drawing was really superb and was selected for publication by a University
of Wisconsin newsletter.
When completed, the illustrations and text are put together and are
printed
using a color printer to create "Birds of a Feather: A First Grader's
Guide
to Birds and Bird Watching."
My class of first graders has thoroughly enjoyed this
project. Altogether the children researched and drew twenty-five different
birds. The project has given them an opportunity to combine their birding
expertise with their artistic talent to create an informative guide to
share with their families and friends!
Suggestions for Parents:
By targeting the birds that live in your neighborhood, the activities of
this lesson may be completed easily at home. In fact, the entire family
will enjoy becoming a family of ornithologists. (Also see the TechieEcologist
Lessons.)
Submitted by:
Celeste Bunting
Grade 1 Teacher
Worcester Country School
Berlin, MD
Lesson Plan Disclaimer
