Robin
What
The bird watch is the RSPB's initiative to get a snapshot of the kind of birds using local green spaces. They are asking schools to take an hour (yes, just an hour) to take a tally of the birds spotted in the playground or a nearby green space. To make this as easy as possible the society has published a list of the top 15 birds spotted in last years birdwatch, you can find the list here.
How
To make sure your pupils get the best of the opportunity it is a good idea to encourage the local bird life towards your school as early as possible. The undisputed best way to do this is to feed them, these links will give you a few creative ideas on how to do this:
How to make a bird cake by the RSP
http://www.rspb.org.uk/youth/makeanddo/activities/birdcake.aspx
Crafty bird feeders and bird cakes
http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/991705/easy-bird-feeders-crafts-for-kids
Even more crafty ideas
http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/easy-to-make-bird-feeders/#.UtGxkfRdV6w
Please do be mindful of the fact that pretty much all bird food contains nuts so is hazardous to those with nut allergies, to help keep the whole school safe do make sure you hang them well out of reach of little hands!
Nearer to the start of the actual birdwatch you could make a 'hide' in your classroom. Hang large sheets of paper over a window with a slit to peek through. You could decorate the inside of the hide with pictures of the birds and cushions, pencils and paper for making observation. If you have any binoculars they will go down a storm.
When the day comes to start your count it's best to do it earlier in the day as this is when the birds are most likely to feed. Arm each child with a tally chart and send them off to show Bill Oddie how it's done!
Blackbird
Why
The reasons why this is an incredibly valuable activity are pretty endless, both on an educational and personal level. Educationally speaking it is hugely cross curricular. Here are some of the subjects it could be used to enrich:
Science:
This is a beautiful introduction to a fair few of the statutory requirements in the KS1 and 2 Science programme of study. For example:
Key Stage 1
- Observing closely
- Performing simple tests - you could use different forms of bird feed / bird feeder and see which types of birds are most attracted to each
- Identifying and Classifying
- Using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
- Gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
- Identify and name a variety of common birds
- A great starting point for discussions on the difference between herbivores, omnivores and carnivores
- An introduction to habitats, the food chain and the wider eco system
Key Stage 2
- Setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
- Making systematic and careful observations
- Gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
- Recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts and tables
- Reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
- Using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and and raise further questions
- The bird watch is now in it's 14th year so it would be great to complete it each year and compare the results year on year. If a log of weather conditions is also kept it could be a really useful tool for comparison.
At the Workshop Factory we offer an amazing animal handling experience, the day includes a chance to get up close and personal with Jelani the African eagle owl, Bumble the African scops owl and Milo an Electus Parrot. Our highly experienced animal handler, Melissa, has spent her entire career working with animals and she can well and truly bring your science curriculum to life. To find out more about the workshops please have a look here. The experience is suitable for all of EY, KS1, 2 and 3.
Literacy
- Introduce the children to a wide range of new vocabulary, both scientific and about the wider environment
- The observations are a fantastic opportunity to create written presentations and a great starting point for creative writing projects
Art and Design:
- Creating the bird feeders would be a fantastic project to get the children involved in on both an artistic and design level. Brain storming on the features the feeders need to have and what materials will be practical to use outside is hugely valuable, the same principle can also be applied to the placing of the feeders
- The children could create a display showing the fifteen most spotted birds
Geography:
- This activity is a superb starting point for discussions on habit and what the actions of humans are doing to habitats of certain animals
- Both the subject and activity are useful in highlighting the merits of recycling and being environmentally aware. This video and article - http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/environment/an-ocean-of-plastic/2686/- highlights the issue beautifully. It is, however, quite distressing so wouldn't be useful for younger children, please use your discretion.
History
- As I previously mentioned, you could complete the watch each year and use it as a source of comparison, this could be a fantastic project for the whole school to participate in each year.
Magpie
Aside from the curricular aspects of this activity there is also a whole host of other benefits for both teacher and pupils. Helping to nurture a connection between the children and nature will serve them well throughout their entire lives, we live increasingly sedentary lives with less and less time spent out doors; the benefits, both mentally and physical, of spending time in nature are well documented and any opportunity to encourage this is brilliant.
The activity itself is by it's very nature quiet and focussed, I feel that it is a myth that children don't appreciate a little 'quiet time'.
Another benefit is helping to foster a sense of community and an appreciation of the variety of ways our shared green spaces are used by humans and animals alike. I think it's fair to say, due to a variety of reasons, that this next generation of children are likely to have more of a sense of 'disconnect' with nature than any other generation before them. This is a sad yet understandable part of the technological age that is upon us but there are opportunities aplenty to help engage them at a young age.
If you do get involved in the bird watch I'd love to hear how it went for you and about any other activities you included, you can let me know in the comments section or at info@workshopfactory.co.uk
If you'd like to register for the birdwatch you can register at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch/index.aspx
Happy birdwatching!
Take care,
Tiff
www.workshopfactory.co.uk
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