Science

LI: (1) to describe the differences in the life cycles of birds

(2) how birds reproduce

(3) to use research to answers questions

When you see ‘heading’ or ‘subheading’ in blue, please write them into your book when you get to that section – this will help to organise your work.

Science: life cycles of birds (main heading)

Session 1:

Subheading: What are the main features of birds?

Explore ‘What makes a bird a bird?’ PowerPoint

List the key features of birds in your book.

Subheading Can all birds fly? Write a short paragraph (just a few sentences will suffice) explaining how birds are adapted to fly using the information given in the ppt. Include examples of birds which cannot fly.

If you need to watch: ‘Why can’t all birds fly?’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRzRjHzvOts for extra information and examples.

Subheading: What are the key stages within the life cycle of a bird?

You will need o take notes about each of the key stages:

Egg
Hatching /nestling
Fledgling
Juvenile
Adult

Using the website and ebooks listed below; make notes on each stage by picking out key facts and information, putting it in to your own words and recording using both written formats and diagrams.

Research these websites:

https://sciencing.com/life-cycle-hummingbird-5417886.html

https://www.birdspot.co.uk/identifying-birds/the-life-cycle-of-a-bird

Explore these ebooks: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Gi2h5SBuj3kC&lpg=PA49&dq=life%20cycles%20birds&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=life%20cycles%20birds&f=false

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=DiFQmsbJ_NkC&lpg=PP1&dq=life%20cycles%20birds&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=life%20cycles%20birds&f=false

Session 2:

Using the information you researched yesterday, your task today is to create a zigzag book to explain the life cycle stages of a bird’s life cycle. You will need to include facts and information about each of the stages:

Egg
Hatching /nestling
Fledgling
Juvenile
Adult

Either create your own egg shaped zigzag book as shown below or use the Zigzag book template. Examples of each challenge are shown below to give you an idea of the level of detail needed for each challenge level.

Challenges

Ch1 – a simple sequence of the stages including a labelled diagram for each E.G.

Egg Stage

Eggs are laid by the female bird in clutches of 1 to 7. The female sits on the eggs until they are ready to hatch. Bigger birds sit on their eggs for longer than smaller birds.

Ch2 – as above plus keys facts to expand on each key stage

E.G

Hatchling /nestling stage

Many birds have an ‘egg tooth’ ( a tiny bit of ‘horn’ on the end of their beak) to help them breakthrough he shell. Since their eyes aren’t open yet, they are unable to look after themselves. Instead they remain in the nest and rely on their parents to care for them. When they are a few days old, they become nestlings as their eyes open.

Ch3 – As above plus examples specific to individual species of bird. E.G.

Fledgling stage

At this stage, the young birds will have developed their flight feathers and wing muscles in preparation for their very first flight. Amazingly, the Humming bird can fly after just three weeks whereas a swan can take nearly 20 weeks to fledge. Although only able to fly short distances , fledglings can be very active: hopping out and around their nests.

Extension task

Watch: David Attenborough at work – ‘Nature of the cuckoo duck’

. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mb0GOITRUU

David is one of the world’s most renowned environmentalist, boardcaster and journalist. He is known for his engaging style. Whilst you watch the clip, listen out for his distinctive style and see if you can note down any key phrases or some of the descriptive language he uses. This will be useful to you later for our next English unit on explanation texts.