Children will organize the birds in the activity guide by different characteristics. This will help them to understand that birds, like plants and animals, are classified by their observable characteristics.
Background
Birds are currently classified or organized into groups that have similar physical characteristics.
Materials
activity guide
paper/pencil
If they haven't already, the students should color the illustrations in the activity book. Use the descriptions, the key and a field guide if available.
Step A
- Look at each bird drawing in the activity guide and decide what characteristics they can be sorted by, such as beak shape or color.
- List each bird into the groups you have established. Name each group something that reflects why you placed them together.
- Read the descriptions of each bird in the activity guide. List characteristics that the birds can be sorted by, such as habitat or color.
- List each bird into the groups you have established. Name each group something that reflects why you placed them together.
Discussion
Compare the two lists. Are your groups different? Is this a good way to organize these birds or would another person find it confusing? Compare the way that you sorted the birds with the way that a traditional field guide sorts them. Are yours and theirs similar? How would you do it differently? Do you think it is important to organize or classify birds? Why?
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