SCIENCE CONCEPT:

Most birds will gather natural items such as twigs, dried grass, leaves,etc,to construct their nest (to prepare for insulation for their new eggs) but will also find man-made items such as string, bits of paper, etc..., to interweave into their nest, as well.

STUDENT OBJECTIVE:

The student will explore the construction of a bird's nest and also, sort the elements of a bird's nest into two categories: natural and man-made.

OVERVIEW:

Students will examine and discover what a nest is composed of by pulling pieces apart. Then apply critical thinking skills by sorting, analyzing and classifying the various elements that birds use to make their nest.

TEACHER TEXT:

While insects are considered the most maneuverable of all flying creatures, birds are considered nature's perfect flying machines. Every part of a bird is adapted to flying. Their bodies are as an airplane, enabling them to slip easily through the air. Their bones are strong, yet lightweight, because they contain many air sacs. The chest muscle, which operates the wings, is extremely large and powerful. Their wings are covered in tightly fitting feathers that trap air.

The feathers have a stiff, straight part running through them called a shaft. On both sides of the shaft are vanes composed of barbs which are held together by barbules. The bird's wings, with each of its feathers, are shaped much like an aircraft's wing--curved on top and flatter underneath. This allows both wings to achieve lift in the same way.

Considered the earliest true bird, the archaeopteryx (Greek for ancient winged-one) lived about 150 million years ago. It had perfect flight feathers, but many scientists believe it may have only been able to glide or parachute from high branches

Today, birds are found in all sizes and shapes , live in all parts of the world. They have been studied by man for hundreds of years in an effort to learn how to fly.

PREPARATION TIME: Variable

TEACHER PREP:

LESSON TIME: 20 minutes

Locate a bird's nest. Often, many families will gladly donate a "found" nest to the classroom if you ask in parent communications before a unit of study.

• nest
• mud
• string
• fuzz
• twigs
• weeds
• dried
• grass
• hair

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• bird nest
• tweezers (optional)

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Examine the nest. Ask: How many different things can you see?

2. Gently pull the nest apart.

3. Sort and categorize the various types of elements.

a. Natural ("From the earth") vs. Man-made

("Not from the earth")

b. Living vs. Non Living

c. Rough vs. Smooth

d. Long vs. Short

e. Optional: Any other comparison category

4. Extension Idea: Try placing one nest in a shallow dish of water to see if anything will grow from it.

WHY?

Different species of birds build their nests in different ways. They use materials found specifically in their particular habitats. Ornithologists identify birds by examining their nests :the structure (weave and architecture), the location and the materials the birds use.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

4....Student is able to communicate that the components of a bird nest, be able to pull a bird nest apart and to sort, analyze, and classify the contents of a bird nest.

3....Student is able to communicate how to pull a bird nest apart and to sort, analyze and classify the contents of the bird nest.

2....Student is able to communicate that a nest is made of different things and can sort and classify the things into natural and man-made.

1....Student can sort the parts of a nest into natural and man-made components.

CURRICULUM LINK IDEAS:

MATH:

Counting: Using their pretend nests or crafted grape vine wreaths, place speckled plastic eggs (found at local dimestores) in students' nests and have them count, add subtract, and divide using their eggs. Then you could give class word problems such as: On the first day, Mama bird laid two eggs then on the second day, she laid three more. How many altogether?

Early Division: Using something to represent a nest (their pretend nest, muffin pans, paper cups, etc) , practice dividing up beans ("eggs") equally among their nests.

LANGUAGE ARTS:

Read and discuss "A House is a House For Me" by Maryanne Hoberman. Discuss how different animals build or use different shelters for their different needs. Could any other animal use a bird's nest?

Matching Color Words: Place a cutout bird on a nest and have students color eggs according to the words you have printed on the birds. For example, Using colored birds, have the students match the birds to the nests with the appropriate color words on them.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Different Houses from Around the World: Look at pictures of homes (focusing on architecture) around the world that different people live in, due to dependency on their climate and geographical location. For example: a house in Tropics that are up on stilts, desert homes that are built into the cliffs, how the shape of the igloo helps shelter hunters, etc...

VISUAL/ PERFORMING ARTS:

Your Own Bird's Nest: Make your own bird's nest using a variety of supplies such as : clay, playdough, mud, string, twigs, leaves, grass, feathers, hair,etc. Then ask your students if they think they did as good a job as Mama Bird. Did they remember to insulate their pretend nest?

Big Bird's Nest: Using rolled up newspapers, create a large size bird's nest for a fun reading corner in your classroom.

Bird Feeders: Make a variety of birdfeeders to see which type of birds will visit and actually feed at them. Use milk cartons, scraps of wood, peanut butter with sprinkled birdseed on oranges and other simple versions of birdfeeder.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:

"Put the Egg in the Nest " Relay: Have students divide up into teams and race to place their team's eggs into the nest. This may be varied from sports balls into a basket or trash can, potatoes or hard boiled eggs carried with spoons into class nest or basket, etc.

Beanbag Toss: Toss the beanbag ("egg") into "nests" for either accuracy or points. Be sure to include instructions on proper throwing techniques such as stepping on the opposite foot and then toss the beanbag.

Beak Dexterity: Study the body parts of birds. Pay close attention to the beaks and discuss why some birds have long, pointed beaks and others have short beaks. Students can make long beaks ( like a hummingbird) and short beaks (like a hen) using clamp-type clothespins with long popsicle sticks glue dinside (hummingbird) Use the beaks to pick up different types of things. Is there a difference between what the two lengths can pick up?

LITERATURE LINKS:

A House is a House for Me

Author: Mary Ann Hoberman; illustrated by B. Fraser

Publisher: New York, Viking Penguin, 1978.

Level: K-4

Synopsys:

An award-winning book that looks at all the possibilities for "homes" for people, creatures and even objects.

Bald Eagle

Author: Emilie U. Lepthien

Publisher: Chicago: New True Book Series, Children's Press, 1989.

Level: 2-8

Synopsys:

An interesting non-fiction book about the subject of eagles with a highlighted section on how eagles build their nests at tremendous heights. Some nests can be as wide as 20 feet and 9 feet deep!

Urban Roosts: Where Birds Nest in the City

Author:Barbara Bash

Publisher:Boston, Sierra Club/Little Brown and Co.,1990.

Level: 1-6

Synopsys:

The inventive places birds make their homes in the heart of the city and how they adjust to such a harsh urban environment is fascinating. Some of the birds examined include pigeons, barn owls, night hawks, and peregrine falcons. habitats include traffic lights, tile roofs and train trestles. This is a particularly good way to show urban students that observation of wildlife need not be confined to the countryside.

Nicky the Nature Detective

Author:Ulf Svedberg; illustrated by Lena Anderson

Publisher:New York, R & S Books/ Farrar, Straus & Giroux , 1983.

Level: 3-8

Synopsys:

Nicky loves to explore the changes in nature. She watches a red maple tree and all the creatures and plants that live on or near the tree through the seasons of the year. Her discoveries lead her to look carefully at the structure of a nesting place, why birds migrate, who left tracks in the snow, where butterflies go in the winter, and many more things. This book is packed with information.

Owl Moon

Author:Jane Yolen; illustrated by John Schoenherr

Publisher:New York, Philomel/Putnam, 1987.

Level: K-5

Synopsys:

On a moonlit winter night, a father and daughter go searching for the elusive Great Horned Owl. The suspense of the hunt, along with the lyrical language and stunning illustrations of a rural scene at night make one feel a part of the expedition. They seek the owl in its habitat, observe its behavior, and imitate its call.