Bird Study Unit Lesson 9: What Birds Eat

Bird Study Unit Lesson 9: What Birds Eat

Objectives:  

• Students will sort birds by what they eat.
• Students will be able to explain what an omnivore is.
• Students will write/draw about a bird and what it eats.

Materials:

• Bird Study Journals (omnivore vocabulary frame, writing response page)
• Vocabulary Frame
• Lesson 9 Writing Response
• Bird Cards.
  • Lesson 9 Learning Plan What Birds Eat
  • Lesson 9 Learning Plan What Birds Eat Answers
• Pictures and videos of birds on bird cards (can be some from lesson 5). One set per group/partnership.
• Sorting Mats (Fruit/Seeds/Plants, Fish/Animals/Insects, Omnivores)
  • Lesson 9 Learning Plan Sorting Mat Seeds
  • Lesson 9 Learning Plan Sorting Mat Animals
  • Lesson 9 Learning Plan Sorting Mat Omnivores
• Bird Feeder Instructions and materials
  • Lesson 9 Learning Plan Bird Feeder Options
• Student Texts:
  • Easy Reader Level K: Birds Eat
  • Lesson 9 Early Reader Kindergarten print 2 sided
  • Easy Reader Level 1: What does this bird eat?
  • Lesson 9 Early Reader First Grade print 2 sided
  • Fluency Passage Level 2: What do birds eat?

Learning Plan

Engage:

Have students open their journals to the habitat pages they created during lesson 8.  Have students walk around the room to look at the various habitat drawings and to notice anything in the pictures that the birds could eat.  Write a list of all of the different foods they find on the board.

Explore:

Divide the students into small groups or partners.  Tell the students that they are going to sort birds by types of food they eat.  Remind them about how bird beaks, bird feet and bird habitats can help determine what a bird may eat.  Provide them with pictures and/or videos of each bird to help them determine the type of eater each bird is as well as two of the sorting mats (Fruit/Seeds/Plants, Fish/Animals/Insects).  Allow them time to sort each bird card onto a mat.  Discuss and compare results of each group.   **Do not provide answers until after instructional video and attempted re-sorting.

Explain:

Even though some groups may have had different answers doesn’t mean they were incorrect.  Some birds eat both plants and animals.  A bird that eats both plants and animals is called an omnivore.   Have students complete the vocabulary frame for omnivore.   Show students the instructional video about what birds eat and how most birds are omnivores.   Allow students to adjust sorting cards now that they have more information.  Provide them the additional mat- OMNIVORES.  Discuss final sort and correct responses. (*note: some birds will eat insects during certain times of year but primarily eat seeds)  

Evaluate:

Have students respond to the writing prompt in their Bird Study Journals: Write and draw about a bird and what it eats.  You may pass out the bird cards to have students respond regarding a specific bird if desired.   Have students share writing responses with a partner when done.  Provide feedback and reteaching as needed.

Elaborate:

Have students create a bird seed feeder to hang in the school yard or at home.  See options and instructions.   Encourage students to observe and share the types of birds that come to feed on it.

Language Arts Extension:

Practice reading student texts and discuss content. Early Reader Level K: The Bird Eats Early Reader Level 1: What Does This Bird Eat? Fluency Practice Level 2: What Do Birds Eat?