Lesson Plan

Bird Beak Adaptaions

a small round bird with a pointy beak sits next to a canyon wall
Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Science
Lesson Duration:
60 Minutes
State Standards:
Utah SEEd 4th Grade

4.1: Organisms
Functioning in their
Environment.

4.1.1: Construct an
explanation from evidence that plants and animals have
internal and external
structures that function to support survival, growth,
behavior and reproduction
Additional Standards:
NGSS 4th Grade

4-LS1-1. From Molecules to
Organisms: Structures and
Processes.
Thinking Skills:
Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.

Essential Question

In what ways do animals adapt to better survive in their environment, and how do we observe and recognize these adaptations?

Objective

Students will be able to understand and construct an argument that living organisms have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction

Background

This guide provides background information about birds in Zion and directions for an activity, where students will play a game that simulates what it’s like to obtain food with a specific  type of beak.  This guide is designed for fourth grade, but the activity can be modified for students at other levels.
 

Preparation

  • Download and review Bird Beaks Guide
  • Download and print activity materials
  • Gather all materials listed in the bird beak relay activity

Materials

Download Lesson Plan and Activity Guide

Lesson Hook/Preview

Zion National Park is home to over 200 species of birds. Birds are different from any other animal for a few reasons. First, their feathers distinguish them from all other animals. These feathers are made of keratin, the same material that makes up our hair and fingernails. Next, they have wings. These allow them to fly, swim, dive, walk and run. Finally, they have a beak or bill, like a mouth, which they use for various reasons, but mainly to forage for and obtain food. Here in the desert, food and water is scarce. However, birds and other organisms have adapted to survive in this desert environment.

Procedure

Follow suggested procedures within the activity guide.

Vocabulary

Adaptation: How an organism adjusts, conforms, and responds to changes in the environment
Beak: An external structure on a birds face
Carrion: Decaying flesh of deceased animals
Preening: A type of behavior in which birds use their beaks to clean, groom, and straighten feathers
Courtship: A type of behavior exhibited by males to attract a mate

Additional Resources

Contact Information

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Tags: zion bird beak birds adaptations

Last updated: April 6, 2022