Birds of Prey
Driving or Multi-dimensional Question:
Construct an explanation discussing how the structure of birds of prey determine/support the survival, growth, behavior, and/or reproduction of their species. Are there other factors that can affect these outcomes? What can we do to ensure birds of prey are successful in their natural environment?
Unit Summary:
Students will learn about the various types of birds of prey and their importance to our environment, food chains, and our nation. Students will have the opportunity to analyze the structures, behaviors, growth, and pure survival of birds of prey through various videos, internet research/observation, dissection, as well as classification. They will ultimately be given the opportunity to creatively communicate their findings and demonstrate the importance of our national bird through letter writing. Students will address a person within our local and federal government to persuade an ever-renewing proclamation to declare June 20th American Eagle Day.
Hook Event:
Access eagles.org and click on “Nest Cams”. Select which nest cam you would like to view. Allow students to view the nest cams. Discuss through accountable talk any observations they may see. Talk about some things that they might wonder. Record findings and what students may want to know more about. Reference this throughout the unit.
Culminating Event:
After completing the daily activities, go to the American Eagle Foundation website and click on “About Eagles” to learn more about our nation’s bird. Feel free to continue research as a whole group, or separate students into groups and have them research different aspects of the American Bald Eagle. Student can then present their information to the class. Here is an additional resource specific to Bald Eagles: Eagle Video
Students will also research the different “Take Action” aspects on the site: American Eagle Day 2020 Cleanup, Hunt and Fish Lead-Free, Protect from Wind Turbine Fatalities, Avian Friendly Power Lines, and Nest and Habitat Protection. Be sure to discuss each of these Take Action Steps as a class to ensure that students understand each event.
Students will use the information researched about the Bald Eagle and the other action steps to participate in the American Eagle Day Project (part of the “Take Action” tab on eagles.org). Students will develop a letter to send to the Governor,
the President, and/or someone in leadership at the House of Representatives/U.S. Senate. The letter will persuade these leaders to proclaim June 20th American Eagle Day. Students must use the information they have obtained to develop arguments as
to why we need an American Eagle Day.
Standards
Science Standards:
3.LS1.1 Analyze the internal and external structures that aquatic and land animals and plants have to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
Math Standards:
ELA and Other Standards:
Daily Activities
For more information on this lesson please see the Lesson Resources below
| Activity | Description | Resources and Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Activity One | Glenda and Grant/Isaiah and Ms. Jefferson (bald eagles): re-visit the nest cams from the hook activity daily, or as necessary. Allow students to keep a running journal of different behaviors and observations of the eagles. Feel free to allow students to discuss their findings. | eagles.org |
| Activity Two | 2. Food Chain Game/Lesson: Students will play a game with Cheerios and different-sized cups to understand the energy flow within a food chain. Students will be able to relate this back to understanding the birds of prey and where they stand within a food chain and other aspects of life. | 2. Materials: Cheerios, cups (varied sizes) |
| Activity Three | 3. Owl Pellet Dissection: View the PowerPoint Presentation, “Owls—Did you know?” Students will be divided into groups. Each group will be given an owl pellet and tweezers. Allow students to dissect the owl pellet, writing down any information that they find valuable. Use the Owl Pellet Resource Guide (free sample) as a guide/resource. *This is a free sample; however, if you wish to download the full resource guide there is a cost of $12.95 (on TPT). | 3. Materials: owl pellets, tweezers Owl pellet resource guide ( free sample—full cost $12.95) Owls—Did you know? PowerPoint |
| Activity Four | 4. Birds of Prey Classification Activities: Pull each of these lessons to use as necessary: Wingbeats, Curvy Beaks, Wings: Shapes and Spans. Can you Pass the Parts? and Sharp Feet. Feel free to further use this site for quizzes and other information. | 4. Lessons: |
| Activity Five | 5. Dollywood Workbook: Go to Dollywood.com. Download and introduce the workbook to students. Within the workbook, the various birds of prey are introduced with a multitude of information about the bird and its species. Separate students into groups and have them read and further research the given bird of prey. Each group will have an opportunity to present the information from the workbook to the rest of the class. Students who are viewing each presentation should then begin to fill out the corresponding worksheet, listening for any information that may be of use to answering the given questions. | Materials: Dollywood workbook and worksheet |
Activity Six | 6. Field Trip: Students will take a field trip to the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary and Wings of America Theater at Dollywood. Students will use information obtained during this trip to use in the culminating event. |
Technology Integration:
| Community Partners | Contribution to Learning Experience | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1. TVA Wildlife Conservation Department | 1. Speak to students on ways TVA is helping conserve wildlife | |
| 2. Local Zoo | 2. Bring different birds of prey to the classroom for an up-close encounter | |
| 3. Local Animal Rehabilitation Center | 3. Speak to students about ways to protect birds that they find, and what steps to take if they find a bird of prey that is injured | |
| 4. American Eagle Foundation | 4. Birds of Prey Education programs – request a Birds of Prey Presentation. eagles.org | |
| 5. 4H | 5. Assist in providing resources as well as educational lessons regarding birds of prey in your state |
Capstone Presentation:
Students will have the ability to utilize all the information that they obtained throughout this unit to determine the importance of birds of prey to the natural world around us. Through these discoveries, students will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and persuade others to come to the same understanding. Feel free to allow students to share their letters with the group.