Tell the students you have a puzzle to put together that shows a scientist studying something. Call on students to pick a puzzle piece one at a time (order doesn’t matter). Discuss each piece as picked and have students help you complete the puzzle: Lesson 1 Printable Puzzle
Piece 1: Trees, nest in tree
Piece 2: Bird Tracks in dirt
Piece 3: Feathers on the grass
Piece 4: Scientist body with equipment (camera, magnifying glass, maps, etc.)
Piece 5: Scientist head looking up at tree with binoculars
After puzzle is complete:
Ask, “What is this scientist studying? Yes, this scientist is studying birds. What evidence did this scientist find that birds might be near? Yes, trees, nests, and bird tracks.”
Explain:
Tell the students:
“A scientist who studies birds is called an ornithologist. Clap the syllables as we say that word together: orn-i- thol-o-gist. What do we call a scientist who studies birds? Yes, an ornithologist!
Over the next few weeks, we will be studying about birds. We will be scientists who study birds, so what else can we be called besides “Bird Studiers”? Yes, we will be ornithologists.”
Post vocabulary card.Vocabulary Cards
Share the read-aloud passage about ornithologists/bird watching.
Ornithology is the science of studying birds. Ornithologists are scientists who study birds. Bird Watching is also studying birds. Part of being an ornithologist is to study birds outdoors. In order to study them, ornithologists have to look for evidence of where birds live. What do you think they might look for? Nests, tracks and feathers are evidence (or clues) that birds may live in an area. Ornithologists often use maps to mark where they find birds. They also record what they learn about the birds in journals. Some ornithologists take pictures of the birds and some even sketch (or draw) them in their journals. Ornithologists might write about what they observe the bird doing.
Evaluate:
Pass out BIRD STUDY JOURNAL: Lesson 1 Writing Response
Read to Students: “Scientists record their learning by drawing and writing things down. As we learn about birds, we can record information in these journals. You have already learned something today. Turn to page 1 and let’s draw and write about what an ornithologist is.”
Assist students in filling out the vocabulary page for ornithologist.
Pass out VOCABULARY FRAME: Vocabulary Frame
Elaborate:
Have students read the Easy Readers or Fluency Passage on ornithologists.
Option: Invite ornithologist or bird-watcher to class to discuss what they do.
Read or Discuss the Elaborate Article: Ornithology is the Perfect Way to Make Science Relevant
Ornithology is the Perfect Way to Make Science Relevant
The birds you see flying about every day are incredibly fascinating, so fascinating, in fact, that there is an entire type of science devoted to them! You can learn so much about birds by observing them carefully, taking notes on what they look like and how they behave. By watching them over a long period of time, you can become more than just a bird watcher: you can become an ornithologist.
Ornithology is the scientific study of birds. It’s a branch of zoology, which is the scientific study of animals. Despite its long name with five syllables, ornithology a very understandable science that includes studying the bodies of birds, how they act, where they live, conservation, physiology, and anything else connected with the lives of birds.
An ornithologist is someone who studies birds and learns all they can about them. They do field research in areas around the world. They might also work in museums, and they might work in laboratories. Some ornithologists analyze the sound recordings of different bird songs. So there are many different areas of ornithology that you can study and learn about in a career in ornithology.
What’s important now is for you to take a look at the birds around you. Whenever you’re out and about, you can look for birds. Notice the shapes of their beaks, their colors, their songs. You can learn to identify the different species, or types, of birds. You don’t have to go into the rainforest or to the top of a high mountain to study rare birds. You can be an ornithologist right in your neighborhood! As you begin to pay attention to the different aspects of birds’ lives, you’ll begin to understand how they affect humans’ lives; how humans affect their lives; how birds affect insects, plants, and other animals that live in the area, and more!
Ornithology is more than just identifying birds when you’re out and about. It’s understanding the wider impact that they have on the environment and how the environment affects them, too. You’ll become a great scientific observer who can make hypotheses about different aspects of birds’ lives. As you continue to observe, you can begin to test your hypotheses.
Whether you’re a learner or a teacher, ornithology is a great way to apply scientific principles to everyday life and to learn a greater appreciation for the connections between all living creatures and their habitats. Taking time to go outdoors with a notebook, pencil, and a set of sharp eyes or binoculars is critical to a balanced education that includes active and engaging scientific observation.
Explore:
If possible, take students outside to look for birds. Encourage them to use sight, sound, and evidence to figure out where birds might be.
Students can write and draw observations in their bird study journals.
If an outdoor walk isn’t feasible, have students watch this video. http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com/en/kids/videos/220/bird-watching/
