Prospect Park Zoo: High School

IDENTIFYING ADAPTATIONS IN BIRDS

GRADE LEVEL :   10^TH GRADE

LEARNING STANDARD:

Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

TIME REQUIREMENTS:

This lesson will approximately take ten minutes preparation time and  about forty minutes class time.

TOPICS COVERED BY THIS LESSON:

Anatomy of birds, adaptations found on birds, classification of birds, life cycles of birds, habitats of birds, diet of birds

PRE-VISIT LESSON:

Purpose:       To familiarize students with birds especially adaptations found in birds.

Objectives: 

1.      Observe adaptations of beaks of birds, and relate these to each bird's method of feeding.

2.      Observe adaptations of legs and feet of birds, and relate these to each bird's environment

3.      Identify the different stages of a birds life cycle

4.      Explain the function of classification systems

5.      Explain how the theory of evolution has affected taxonomy.

Materials:

1.      pencil

2.      notebook

3.      unlined paper

VISIT:

1.      Students will need a pencil and paper for the visit to the Prospect Park Wildlife Center.

2.      Students will be given a tour of the Prospect Park Wildlife Center          

3.      During the course of the tour students are required to draw and identify every bird they see during the course of the tour.

4.      Students are required to pay close attention to the beak and the foot of each bird at the zoo. 

POST VISIT:

1.      The next day students are required to finalize their drawings to white unlined paper.

2.      At the completion of this activity students should be able to examine the size and shape of the beak of each bird.

3.        Students should be able to conclude what the function of the beak is by examining its structure.

4.      Students should be able to examine the size and shape of the foot of each bird.

5.      Students should be able to conclude what the function of the foot is by examining its structure.

QUESTIONS:

1.      What bird at the zoo is unable to fly?

2.      What was your favorite bird at the zoo?

3.      In the birds you studied, what  was the most common function of the feet?

4.      In the birds you studied, what was the most common function of the beak?

---

MainMenu | About MSTEP | Lessons & Activities
Standards | Resources | Staff | Submit | Contact

MSTEP Webmaster | NYU home page | School of Education | School of Education Webmaster