Description:
This lesson is designed to support a science lesson on animal habitats. Students will research and explore the various aspects of bird habitation, focusing on 6 different nest types and the reasoning behind each structure.
Goals & Objectives:
LIBRARY MEDIA SKILLS OBJECTIVES
The student will use reference sources and trade books to differentiate information about different kinds of birds.
CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES:
This activity may be incorporated into a science unit on birds and/or animal habitats.
MOTIVATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
The student will:
-become interested in the research process.
-understand the importance of information skills.
-experience increased confidence in research ability.
-achieve satisfaction in research accomplishments.
Materials & Sources:
Resource list
Nest Worksheet
| Credits: |
School Library Media Activities Monthly
Adapted for SOS by Kori Gerbig
School of Information Studies
Syracuse University
|
| Sources: |
School Library Media Activities Monthly
May 2003; 19(9); 14-15
http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com
http://www.crinkles.com |
Procedures:
INSTRUCTIONAL ROLES:
-This activity is introduced and completed by the classroom teacher, with the library media specialist's assistance in the use of resources and location of information within the text.
ACTIVITY AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETION:
-The classroom teacher introduces the concept of animals' homes, and then focuses the lesson on birds. Display illustrations from books about different birds. Pairs of students review the materials and discuss how different birds prepare different nests. Discuss how the nests fit the birds in size, materials and placement. How does the environment make a difference to the kind of nest that is built?
-Explain that students will have an opportunity to research nests and find examples based on different ways of categorizing nests.
-Introduce the different aspects of nests to be discussed (i.e., Size of the nest/measurements; Structure/Scrapes, platform nests, cup nests, adherent nests, pensile nests, pendulous nests; Composition/materials used to make the nest; Local Range of Birds/locality of the birds, etc.) and review each. For example, how big is the hummingbird's nest? Is the nest adhered to a wall like that of the barn swallow or built on a platform? Is the nest made of only twigs or is it made of mud and twigs? Where can the birds be found?
-Distribute the Nest Worksheet. Ask students to find names of birds and examples for the squares in the grid. Students will use materials in the library media center to locate examples of each. They may draw and label the examples. Upon return to the classroom, a discussion of the different types of nests may reveal how the nests vary depending on the birds' habitats.
FOLLOW-UP:
-Students may compare bird nests with nests of other animals like termites, alligators, etc.
Assessment:
EVALUATION:
-Students will use reference books to locate examples of different kinds of nests based on categories.
Sources:
School Library Media Activities Monthly
May 2003; 19(9); 14-15
http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com
http://www.crinkles.com
