Rationale:
Children know something about the ills of pollution and that recycling
is good. As they grow it is hoped we can help them build their knowledge
and sense of people's power to halt /reverse other environmental destroyers.
This is a tangible, first person, long lasting lesson that has world wide
applications that they can repeat on their own if they choose again and
again.
Goals and Objectives:
Through this project the children will apply and enhance their
1.) computer skills (typing and internet searching) 2.) math skills
(addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and some fundamental geometry
and 3-D drafting) while designing and constructing the birdhouses
3.) library and reading skills to learn about birds' needs and contributions
to eco-systems 4.) observation skills by identifying different birds and
trees in urban and rural settings 5.) familiarity with basic carpentry
hand and power tools during the construction phase. All children
love to show what they have made. The end product is a sure-fire
confidence builder and allows children to learn to respect other children's
talents and together share pride in a team effort well done. The
goal of a house in the end is a strong motivator.
Audience and Prerequisites:
The third and fourth graders this lesson has been designed for will
have a range of readiness and will achieve proportionately. The teacher
may find it necessary to ask the children to select their partners to avoid
situations where lots of talent is clumped in the same teams. But
all will experience a process and produce a product that they will have
contributed one or more of their developed strengths to.
Description and Subject Matter:
Utilizing a variety of given web sites, field guide books and
museum loaned displays the children will begin to see just how diverse
the bird population in our area is. From neighborhood bird watch
groups and articles on environmental issues students bring into class we'll
learn of new threatens to the bird communities around the world as well
as in our area specifically. From all these sources the students
will learn better where and when to look for specific birds and what they
need to survive in the city or out in the country. Several times
we'll hold forums to share what's being learned as we move to and through
what we can do to support birds. As designs go from prescribed dimensions
(calculations and conversion to metrics are involved) to original
birdhouse styles the excitement builds. Once measurements are accurately
transferred to the building material (wood) in a minimal waste manner,
the cutting and assembling begins. Here again is something fewer
children are directly exposed to. These are not mail ordered houses,
they're custom built houses.
Instructional Plan:
Beginning with a discussion and listing of what the children collectively
know, we would then proceed to simple field observations around the school
and nearby parks. Then in teams usually of their choice, the children
would be allowed to begin the planned lesson. Three groupings of
teams would rotate through the computer center, the school library
and crafting cardboard model birds and birdhouses. Once the math
portion of the designing is complete the pattern planning can begin.
Next would be the cutting, assembling and decorating phase. Last
but not least, positioning the shelters, feeders and nest supply boxes
in proper locations.
Materials and Worksheets:
Paper, pencils, metrics and English standard measuring sticks and tapes,
calculators, corrugated cardboard, scissors, glue, colored cray paper
and tissue paper for the model birds and model structures. Assorted
standard lumber board, 1/4 plywood sheet and 1/4 doll rod, brad nails,
a few screw-eyes, some 2 and 3 inch galvanized nails or screws, hot
glue and glue guns, carpenters wood cement, several borrowed hammers, wood
saws, one electric jig saw, one electric drill with assorted bits and spades.
Exterior grade varnish and paint and a hank of plastic coated 3/16 inch
cable or plastic laundry line for finishing.
Assessment and Evaluation:
This an ongoing process. A strong indicator of the effectiveness
of this or any lesson is every child's sustained interest day to day and
feeling of progress in the step by step approach towards the end goal.
Reflection back on what they didn't know or couldn't do last week is important
to log and track by having something for every child to take home to show
and explain to their family and friends at least every weekend. Other
individual as well as team and group work will be on display in the classroom
and in the hallway. The opportunity exist for children to write articles
in the weekly school paper explaining what they are learning and they are
sent to the younger grade rooms periodically to show and explain what they
are studying. And of course there is the open houses, class night
and science fair day and other chances to repeat their knowledge, including
their Spanish class where naturally they will apply as much Spanish as
they know and pick up a few new words.
Last update: July 19, 2000