Winging It!, Author(s): Deborah Payne and Jody Hildreth, Grade Level: 4, Subject Area: Science, - Before the eggs are placed into the incubator the students are given a series of clues that are designed to introduce the classroom "guests". After the eggs arrive, the students will complete an anticipation guide with True/False questions about birds. The same anticipation guide will be given at the end of the unit so students can evaluate their learning.

Planning Guide
Creating Learner-Focused Schools

* Madison-Oneida BOCES- This document may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the District Superintendent or his designee.

LU Title: Winging It!	Author(s): Deborah Payne and Jody Hildreth
Grade Level: Four	Sauquoit Valley Elementary School 2601 Oneida St. Sauquoit NY 13480
Subject Area: Science	School Phone/Fax: (315) 839-6343

CONTENT KNOWLEDGE

Declarative	Procedural
What separates a bird from other animals?	Students will form a hypothesis for the following question: "Does the weight of the egg change as the embryo develops?"
What are the different types of beaks and how do they determine the bird's diet?	Using the library the students will complete a graphic organizer labeling the parts of the egg including uses and properties of each part.
What are the different types of feet for birds?	Using the library the students will find the following information on a flightless bird: native area, average size, how it uses its wings. They will sketch the bird and create a mural.
Students will understand the different types of nests including their design, materials, and location.	Students will classify birds according to the type of feet and legs they have.
Defining the terms : hatch and incubation.	After the eggs hatch, the students will use a spreadsheet to graph the data (weight of the eggs) gathered during the incubation process.
Students will order the steps birds go through to take care of their young which will differ according to the bird. Students will compare the parenting responsibilities of a bird with that of a human using a Venn diagram.	During the unit, students will be responsible for egg rotation and monitoring the incubator's humidity and temperature.
Students will be told the conditions needed for a successful hatch.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

While a bird's egg is incubated, will the weight of the egg increase, decrease, or stay the same?
What is a bird?
How does a birds body determine its: habitat, diet, behavior, etc.
How do the parenting responsibilities of a bird compare with those of a human?

INITIATING ACTIVITY

Before the eggs are placed into the incubator the students are given a series of clues that are designed to introduce the classroom "guests".

After the eggs arrive, the students will complete an anticipation guide with True/False questions about birds. The same anticipation guide will be given at the end of the unit so students can evaluate their learning.

Connection to State Learning Standards

Content Area: Science

Level: II (Grades3-5)

Unit Theme: Birds

Standard:knows about the diversity and unity that characterize life.

Knows that living things can be sorted into groups in many ways using various properties to decide which things belong to which group; features used for grouping depend on the purpose of the grouping.

Standard:Knows the general structure and functions of cells in organisms.

Benchmarks:Knows that each plant or animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.

Performance Standard: Effective Communicator

Standard:Students will read, write, speak, and listen for information/understanding.

Benchmarks:Listening and reading to acquire information and understanding involves collecting data, facts, and ideas; discovering relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and using knowledge from oral, written, and electronic sources.

Performance Standard: Critical Thinker

Standard: The student extends and refines knowledge.

Benchmarks: Compare appropriate items and characteristics to determine similarities and differences.

Sort identified items into categories.

Learning Experiences
Declarative Knowledge

What declarative knowledge should students be in the process of acquiring & integrating? As a result of the unit, the student will know or understand…	What experiences or activities will be used to help students acquire & integrate this knowledge?	What strategies will be used to help students construct meaning, organize and/or store the knowledge?	Describe what will be done.
What separates a bird from other animals?	Independent research and viewing the Eyewitness Birds video.	Word Web	Given a copy of a worksheet, the students will create a word web about the characteristics of birds.
What are the different types of beaks and how do they determine the bird's diet?	Independent research and lecture with overheads.	Bird bill game.	Students will be given a variety of objects that represent different bills (clothespins, straws, wooden sticks, etc.). They are then given different foods to eat (puffed rice, styrofoam peanuts, marbles, etc.) The students then decided which bills were best designed for which food.
What are the different types of feet for birds?	Lecture with overheads.	Before, during, and after strategy.	Before the lecture, students identify what they know about bird feet and legs. They also generate questions and predictions. During the lecture, students determine if predictions were correct and clear up questions. After the lecture, students create a summary of what they have learned.
Students will understand the different types of nests including their design, materials, and location.	Share the book, Birds Eggs, and Nests. If season allows, find nests outside.	Graphic organizer.	Students will fill out the graphic organizer which includes the following columns: Species of bird, Location of nest, materials in nest. The students will also sketch one species of bird's nest.
Define the terms hatch and incubation.	Students use a dictionary	Word Map	Students fill out the Word Map which includes the following questions: What is it? What is it like? What are some examples?
Students will order the steps birds go through to take care of their young which will differ according to the bird. Students will compare the parenting responsibilities of a bird with that of a human using a Venn diagram.	Share the book Birds, Eggs, and Nests.	Venn Diagram	After hearing how birds take care of their young, students will complete a Venn diagram comparing birds and humans.
Students will be told the conditions needed for a successful hatch.	Lecture and books	Through experience of hatching chicks	Students are told what requirements are needed to hatch chicks, they then observe the incubation/hatching process.

Learning Experiences
Procedural Knowledge

What procedural knowledge will students be in the process of acquiring & integrating? As a result of this unit, students will be able to:	What will be done to help students construct models, shape & internalize the knowledge?	Describe what will be done.
Students will form a hypothesis for the following question: "Does the weight of the egg change as the embryo develops?" After the eggs hatch, the students will use a spreadsheet to graph the data (weight of the eggs) gathered during the incubation process. During the unit, students will be responsible for egg rotation and monitoring the incubator's humidity and temperature.	Students will be presented with a model of the scientific process to help them form their hypothesis. The students will be presented with a written set of steps for the incubation process. Students will be shown how to use the Spreadsheet program.	Students will write down their hypothesis for later review. During the incubation process, students will gather data by weighing the eggs periodically. After the eggs hatch, the students will print out a chart using Spreadsheet.
Using the library the students will complete a graphic organizer labeling the parts of the egg including uses and properties of each part.	Students will be shown a flow chart demonstrating the research process.	Using the research process, students complete a graphic organizer on eggs.
Using the library the students will find the following information on a flightless bird: native area, average size, how it uses its wings. They will sketch the bird and create a mural.	Students will be shown a flow chart demonstrating the research process.	Students will sketch the bird and create a note card.
Students will classify birds according to the type of feet and legs they have.	Students will be shown a flow chart demonstrating the research process.	Using the research process, students complete a graphic organizer on legs and feet.

Learning Experiences
Extending and Refining

What knowledge will students be extending and refining? Specifically, they will be extending and refining their understanding of…	What reasoning process will they be using?	Describe what will be done.
…how every bird has a pair of feet suited to their lifestyle with variations noted.	Classifying	The students will sort or group legs and feet into different categories depending on the function and design of their feet.
…how birds and humans are similar and different in their parenting skills.	Comparing	Based on a Venn Diagram created by the students, they will write a compare/contrast report using Microsoft Works.

Learning Experiences
Meaningful Use Task

Step 1	Step 2	Step 3
*What knowledge* will students be using meaningfully? Specifically, they will be demonstrating their understanding of and ability to...........**	What reasoning process will they be using?	Describe student's products and performances and the criteria for evaluation.
	[ X ] Decision Making (selecting from seemingly equal alternatives or examining the decisions of others)	Students will be asked to create a multiple choice quiz based on their research and learning process during the unit.

Rubric:

Key Questions:

What are the key elements, traits, or dimensions that will be evaluated?

Are the identified elements of equal importance or will they be weighed differently?

	Element #1	Element #2	Element #3	Element #4
Elements	Topics	Answers	Choices	Difficulty
Weights	25%	25%	25%	25%
4	Chose 5 different topics	Only one provable answer for each question	Three sensible choices given for all five questions	All five questions and choices demsonstrate higher thinking skills
3	Chose four different topics	One question has exceptions to the answer	Three sensible choices given for four questions	Three or four questions demonstrate higher thinking skills
2	Chose three different topics	Two or more questions have exceptions to the answer	Three sensible choices given for three questions	Two or less questions demonstrate higher thinking skills
1	Chose two or less topics	Some questions have no right answer	Three sensible choices given for two or less questions	All five questions do not demonstrate higher thinking skills

NOTE: Rubric or other performance assessment instruments may be used.

Have You Considered These Yet?

Learn to Learn Skills:

One to one peer tutoring, use of work processing, library, and reference books.

Assessment Modifications:

Individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities, modifications of project requirement, assistance and consideration during assessment.

Unit Schedule/Time Plan:

4 - 5 weeks

Written Overview:

The unit was designed to help students understand the unique characteristics of birds and how they develop. During the unit, students will independently practice research skills. Students will finish the unit by entering data into a Spreadsheet. They will also construct a multiple choice quiz.