This week, we wrapped up Bird Study with some exciting learning stations and an experiment about bird beaks!
We have been doing lots of learning about how bird beaks and feet adapted to their diet. Raptor birds who hunt have talons and hooked beaks for gripping prey and tearing flesh whereas hummingbirds have long, tube-like beaks for dipping deep into flowers to drink nectar. To really experience how vastly different beaks can be, small groups at a table got one tool to be their "beak" - a straw, a spoon, a sieve, tongs, or tweezers. There were multiple "food sources" available at the table. Each student rotated around the table to see how much of each type of food they could get with their "beak" in one minute - would they thrive, survive or starve? Their makeshift beak was really suited for only one of the types of food we put out for them. Ask your child about their experience at that station!
Other experiences included trying to identify birds by their silhouette both in flight and perched, matching beaks to the birds they belong to, labeling the parts of a bird on a diagram, identifying different bird species and listening to their unique cries and calls, and creating a bird wheel that allows the spinner to mix and match up birds to see what they might look like with a different beak!
Lots of fun and lots of learning! This study has been well loved by the kids who are only consoled by knowing that the end of Bird Study means that Ancient Greek Study is just around the corner..
Enjoy the pictures below!
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