Bird watching as an alternative to chick hatching
Apr 7, 2000 4:03 PM
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE III: Students will study birds to learn about their behaviors and needs.
MATERIALS: Project PigeonWatch or Project FeederWatch materials; a bird house or feeding station near the school; Chick, Chick, Chick video, "Chickens Can Fly" materials from United Poultry Concerns.
MOTIVATION: Develop a Venn diagram to show what people need and what chickens need. Which needs do people and chickens share? Which of their needs are different?
Needs of
People Both Chickens
ACTIVITIES:
Your bird unit will rely on your students' observational skills, so an observational journal is very helpful. All children can maintain some kind of a journal. An observational journal includes illustrations as well as words; it includes questions as well as statements. Students can make their own notebooks for this purpose. Younger children enjoy making their own bird-shaped notebook which they can trace from your template.
MAKE A BIRD SHAPE BOOK
You can enlarge this pattern to make a template size suitable for your needs.
In recording information in an observational journal, children learn to collect observational data and begin to make comparisons over time. Students should make entries in their observational journals on a regular basis, at least twice a week for a month. If you are also asking children to make seasonal comparisons, you can decide as a class when to do follow-up observations and enter those dates on your class reminder calendar so you won't forget to do so. An example of observational journal pages follow, but create a format that suits the interests and abilities of your students.
As you begin to hone students observation and questioning skills, you also need to begin to provide input. This input can be interdisciplinary, spanning a number of subject areas. In your communication arts program, begin reading books about birds to your class and provide books on the topic in your guided and independent reading. Look for books with good technical information and a humane theme.
If possible, take a trip to a bird rehabilitation center or environmental center to observe birds. Contact your local Audubon Society, Parks Department or Environmental Study Center for assistance. Before you go, ask the students to brainstorm questions that could be answered on their trip. Students should take along trip boards. These are
homemade clipboards made from cardboard to which a pencil is attached with a string. A study sheet is attached to it which the students can refer to during the trip. The sheet can contain diagrams, requests to illustrate what they observe, as well as any questions they have prepared for their trip. If possible, take photographs of birds you see for future discussion.
Contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, an international bird study center, for free advice and information to teachers. It specializes in direct observation programs. Ask about Project Pigeon Watch and Project FeederWatch. Activities are designed to strengthen such skills as observation, identification, research, computation and writing. Phone #: 1-607-254-2440.
BIRD FEEDERS
Build one or more bird houses near the school and observe the birds from a respectful distance using binoculars.
a) Make bird feeders by smearing pinecones with peanut butter. Then roll them in a birdseed mix. Use cord around the top for a hanger.
b) Clean large plastic jugs very well. Decorate the outside of the jug with non-toxic permanent markers. Suspend from a cord. Fill with mixed bird seed. c) Suspend plastic salad bowls or wooden salad bowls from cords. Fill them with birdseed. Fill orange or onion bags with suet and hang them using a cord.
BE SURE TO REMOVE THE CORDS AND REMAINING MATERIALS FROM THE TREE WHEN THIS PROJECT IS OVER. IF YOU HAVE STARTED THIS PROJECT IN THE FALL OR WINTER, BE SURE TO FEED THE BIRDS UNTIL SPRING WHEN THEY CAN MORE EASILY LOCATE ANOTHER FOOD SOURCE.
Write to Droll Yankees. Ask them for a free bird feeder for use in the classroom. Be sure to write on school stationery and give your school address. Ask for information on all their products. Write to Feeding For Fun, Droll Yankees, 27 Mill Road, Foster, RI 02825.
Watch the Chick, Chick, Chick video. What do the chickens eat? drink? How do they bathe? in water? in dust? Who wakes them in the morning?
Have the children look at photographs from United Poultry Concerns. How did the chickens get into the trees? What behaviors won't the chickens in cages be able to carry out?
