GEMS project

Owls demonstrate certain nesting patterns, including collecting particular materials in their habitat to construct a nest. The purpose of nest building for owls is twofold: foraging a safe place for the owl to live and mate, in addition raising young.

There are eighteen species of owls in North America. Each owl has certain characteristics that help them locate materials for their nests as well as for hunting. These include extended neck mobility, exceptional day/night vision, and the best hearing of any bird. “Tufts” located on either side of the owls head camouflage the owl’s ears for protection. Most owls are also nocturnal, therefore hunt and forage during the night. (www.birdsofprey.org)

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

· SWBAT collect materials outside the classroom in order to build their owl nest.

· SWBAT accurately illustrate their owl “eggs” to demonstrate hatching of owlets.

· SWBAT recall facts learned about owls to participate in class discussion and Owl Play.

· SWBAT explain the life cycle of an owl.

RESOURCES:

For teacher:

1 pair of large scissors

For each student:

1 paper owl
1” white paper square
1 pencil
1 paper lunch bag
1 copy of the “Owl Finger Play”

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS:

Cut hole for paper owl in each of students’ lunch bags before beginning lesson.
Have each student write their names on both the paper bag and paper owl.
Cut 1 white paper egg for each student before beginning lesson.
Ensure students understand directions before going outside to collect their materials. Students should stay near the teacher and in a group at all times. Teacher may assign “buddies” for students so they are accountable for each other as well.
Thoroughly explain what students should collect from outside for their nests and how much time they will have outdoors.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS, HANDOUTS:

Owl Finger Play

The Five-E Tables

Specific Considerations for each of the 5Es:

Engagement: Owl Drama		Time: 5 - 10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Gather students in half circle in front of paper-bag owl tree. Present drama using teacher’s paper owl, paper-bag tree, and small sticks as props.	1. What do we know about owls? 2. Where does an owl live?	1. They have exceptional vision and hearing. Can move their heads ¾ of the way around to hunt and protect themselves or their young, they fly, have nests, eggs; they eat bugs. 2. In trees, forests; in houses.
Fly paper owl around to pick up sticks and carry them back to hole in tree for nest. Fly paper owl to its nest	1. What does its habitat look like? 2. Why does an owl have a nest?	1. Forest, trees, dark, woodsy; cave, house, barn, farm 2. To live in, raise young, keep it safe; for fun
Distribute student’s owls and paper tree homes.	1. If you were an owl, what would you want for your nest? Why?	1. sticks, leaves, mud, dirt, grass; bricks, wood, concrete

Exploration: Nest Building Outdoors		Time: 10 – 20 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do Take students outdoors with their paper owls and paper bags to collect materials for nests. Encourage them to gather adequate and appropriate materials.	Probing Questions 1. What will be looking for outdoors? 2. How long will we have outside to collect everything we need for our nests?	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions 1. Sticks, leaves, grass; gum, trash, bugs, dirt 2. 15 minutes; a long time
Students will gather materials such as sticks, grass, leaves, etc. for their owl nests.	1. Who has seen an owl in real life? Where was it? 2. What did you find for your owl nest? 3. Why would we want these materials for our owl house? 4. What kind of materials are used in your houses? Why were those materials used?	1. I have, on my grandpa’s farm, in my backyard 2. To keep it strong and safe; they’re fun 3. Sticks, mud, dirt, leaves; trash 4. Bricks, wood, cement, stucco, metal, steel; grass, dirt, to make it strong, pretty

Explanation: Owl Finger Play		Time: 5 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Darken the room and have students fly their owls into their nests with materials and gather into a circle.	1. We have the classroom dark now, why?	1. Owls are nocturnal and mostly hunt/go out at night; it’s more fun, it’s night time
Present “Owl Finger Play” to students, give instructions and have class participate in play.	1. What are special features about owl’s eyes? 2. Why did the mice run away? What else do owls hunt/eat?	1. they’re round, big, and centered on head for good vision even at night; nothing, they’re black 2. owls eat mice, rodents, insects, berries; plants, grass, dirt, sticks

Elaboration: Owlet Hatching		Time: 5 – 10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Place a white paper egg in each student’s nest.	1. What did the mother owl leave in the nest?	1. Eggs; sticks, nothing
Tell students to gather their eggs and illustrate them to look like owlets. Students can pretend/interact with paper owl and owlets.	1. Who has seen a baby bird or egg? 2. What else lays eggs? 3. Why do some babies have eggs around them when they’re born? 4. What happens after the mother lays eggs?	1. me, I have 2. Birds, fish, frogs, amphibians, reptiles, turtles; me, animals, mammals, dogs, cats 3. To protect them before they’re born; for fun, don’t know 4. They hatch into baby birds; they die, nothing

Evaluation: class discussion and participation		Time: throughout lesson
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Throughout activities discuss and question students to assess their understanding of topics and concepts covered.	(See above)
Informal assessment of students’ understanding through their participation and answers to probing questions.
Students can be given copies of Owl Finger Play to present to their parents for reinforcement and elaboration. Encourage students to teach someone else what they’ve learned about their owls.	1. Who performed the Owl Finger Play to someone at home? 2. What was their reaction? 3. Did they learn anything? What did they learn about your owl?	1. I did; no one, nothing 2. They liked it, they clapped 3. Yes that owls hunt at night, have nests, good vision and hearing; no nothing