Featured Feathers (K-3)

Transcription

1 Featured Feathers (K-3) At a glance Students create representations of various bird body parts and share them with the class. Time requirement One session of 30 to 45 minutes Group size and grades Any group size Grades K-3 Materials Birds, Birds, Birds! page, one per student Features cards Art supplies, such as crayons, scissors, tape, and construction paper Goal To learn how birds use their various body parts Objective Students will be able to describe an example of how a bird uses a specific body part Theme Birds have special body parts that help them survive. Sub-themes 1. There are many different kinds of birds. 2. Some special body parts include feathers, wings, beaks, tails, and feet. Academic standards Ohio Science Academic Content Standards (Grade: Indicators) Kentucky Core Content Science Life Sciences Diversity and Interdependence of Life (K: 5) (3: 2,3) Characteristics and Structures of Life (1: 2,3) Scientific Inquiry Doing Scientific Inquiry (K: 5) (1: 9) Biological Science Unity and Diversity SC-(EP-3.4.1) (EP-3.4.3) Unifying Concepts Interdependence SC-(EP-4.7.1) Indiana Science Standards 1- The Nature of Science and Technology Scientific Inquiry (K.1.1) (1.1.2) The Scientific Enterprise (3.1.5) 2- Scientific Thinking Computation and Estimation (K.2.1) (1.2.1) Communication (K.2.2) (2.2.5) 4- The Living Environment Diversity of Life (K.4.1) (K.4.2) (2.4.1) (3.4.1) Interdependence of Life (1.4.3) (1.4.4) (2.4.3) (2.4.4) Common Themes Models and Scale (K.6.1) Featured Feathers, 04/09 Page 1 of 7

2 Background Birds show amazing variety. There are over 8,000 species of all sizes, shapes, and colors (by comparison, there are only 4,000 mammal species). Birds have special features that help them survive. Beaks A bird s beak is specially adapted to fit its diet and method of feeding. For example, seed-eating birds have short, strong beaks powerful enough to crack open hard seeds. Hawks, eagles, and owls have strong beaks that end in a slightly curved, pointy tip for ripping apart prey. The flamingo s unique beak acts as a sieve to filter microorganisms from the water. Feet The shape and features of a bird s foot can tell you a lot about that bird s habits. For example, waterfowl have webbed feet to help them swim. Hawks, eagles, and owls have grasping feet with sharp, curved claws called talons designed for catching and killing prey. Like other birds, a parrot has four toes. In most birds, three toes face forward and one faces back, a feature that helps them perch on branches. In parrots, two toes face forward and two toes face forward. This enables them to use their feet kind of like hands to grasp food as they bite off pieces. Feathers Feathers have several purposes including flight, temperature control, and attracting a mate. The flight feathers on the wings and tail are long and stiff. The contour feathers make up most of the surface of the bird s body, vary in length, act in streamlining the bird s body for more efficient flight and also for water proofing. Underneath the outer (surface) feathers are the fluffy, down feathers that keep the bird warm. Bright colors and unique arrangements of feathers such as the peacock s tail feathers are used to attract a female s attention. Wings Most bird wings are designed to generate lift and therefore flight. Penguin wings are modified to act more like flippers for swimming in the water. An ostrich s wings are small and fluffy, and are used in displays and courtship rather than for flight. Activity Getting ready Copy and cut out the features cards. Copy the Birds, Birds, Birds! page, one per student. Gather art materials. Doing the activity Pass out the Birds, Birds, Birds! page. Tell the students that while there are many different kinds of birds, they all have some of the same body parts. What are those body parts? How do those body parts differ among the different birds? Identify that these differences, called adaptations, are body parts that help the birds survive in their habitat. Can they provide any examples? Why Featured Feathers, 04/09 Page 2 of 7

3 does the duck have webbed feet? Why does the peacock have a large, colorful tail? Why does the ostrich have such long legs? Divide the students into small groups. Give each group a feature card. Direct them to use the art supplies to create the bird adaptation highlighted on the card. Lingelbach, Jenepher. Hands-on Nature: Information and Activities for Exploring the Environment with Children. Vermont Institute of Natural Science. Woodstock, Vermont Children s books: Sill, Cathryn. All About Birds: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers Wrap-up When finished, have each group read aloud their feature card and share their representation of that body part with the rest of the class. Are there any birds on the Birds, Birds, Birds! page that have that adaptation? Assessment Assess the artwork. Unsatisfactory Representation does not accurately show the adaptation described. Satisfactory Representation accurately shows the adaptation described. Excellent Representation goes above and beyond in accurately portraying the adaptation described. Extension Visit a park or the Zoo to observe live birds and discuss their adaptations. Read All About Birds: A Guide for Children to the class. Resources Activity guides: Braus, Judy (editor). Ranger Rick s NatureScope: Birds, Birds, Birds! National Wildlife Federation. Washington, D. C Featured Feathers, 04/09 Page 3 of 7

4 Featured Feathers, 04/09 Page 4 of 7

5 Features Cards You catch fish with your beak. You collect sweet nectar from deep inside flowers through your beak. You collect insects with your beak while you are flying. You crack open hard seeds with your beak. You are a nocturnal animal, and use your eyes to see very well at night. You paddle in the water with your feet. You catch mice with your feet. You spend a lot of time with your broad wings outstretched, soaring through the sky. You use your tail to help support you on the trees as you climb looking for insects. You attract a mate with your beautiful tail. Featured Feathers, 04/09 Page 5 of 7

6 Featured Feathers, 04/09 Page 6 of 7

7 Birds, Birds, Birds! Featured Feathers, 04/09 Page 7 of 7