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Snap Science Lesson: Do Birds Have Teeth?
LIFE SCIENCES
Curiosity trigger
Students will play the role of birds – they will obtain food using tools that simulate bird beaks, and then carry the food to their “nests.”
Authors
Author: Natalia Wielechowska
Methodology: Małgorzata Sławińska
Translation: George Lisowski
Producer: Agnieszka Napora
Methodology: Małgorzata Sławińska
Translation: George Lisowski
Producer: Agnieszka Napora
Source
This is a modified version of a lesson plan created by the Children’s University Foundation under the CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.
Photograph: Hummingbird of Silver Plume published on flickr under the CC-BY 2.0 license.
Photograph: Hummingbird of Silver Plume published on flickr under the CC-BY 2.0 license.
Objectives & vocabulary
This lesson is an introduction to PBL in Science which involves the students building a birdfeeder and finding an answer to the question “How to feed neighborhood birds?”. During the class, students check how different birds’ beaks work and use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment. The lesson develops environmental awareness as well as critical thinking and the ability to draw conclusions.
Vocabulary: hummingbird, birds’ beaks, diversity
Objectives:
- Students know at least 5 species of birds.
- Students know how various birds differ from each other and can give a few examples.
- Students draw conclusions about the differences in animals’ traits within one species and understand what lies behind these differences (they can give an example).
Vocabulary: hummingbird, birds’ beaks, diversity
Lesson outline
The lesson begins with watching a video that shows people feeding hummingbirds from their hands. Next, the students learn about what kind of food is good for birds and discover different kinds of bird food. The main activity is a movement game in which the students use various tools to transport bird food to their “nests”. The tools have similar features to various kinds of bird beak. Using their observations from the game, students draw conclusions and connect various kinds of beaks and tools to particular species of bird. To sum up, they discuss the significance of the diversity of birds’ beaks.
What you get & what you need
Along with the lesson plan, you get instructions for preparing and playing the game about bird beaks, along with photographic instructions and tips on the materials you will need. The lesson plan also includes a multimedia presentation with pictures of birds. You also get information in a nutshell about food that is good for birds and the significance of the diversity of birds’ beaks, as well as interesting facts about particular species of bird. The lesson is an introduction to PBL and includes detailed tips for carrying out the “How to feed neighborhood birds?” project and student materials – Project Sheets and Feedback Tickets.
The materials you will need to gather before the lesson are: 4 bowls or containers with water, 6-8 disposable plates, 4 glasses or small disposable cups, 4 pictures of flowers, pieces of bark, wood, fresh and dry leaves, (pine) cones, bird food or imitation bird food and tools representing bird beaks.