Give Me A...BEAK!

We are eating, sleeping, and breathing animals lately, and the kids are lovin' it! Now, if only everything could interest them as much as animals, we would be in business. For the past two days, we have been learning about both physical and behavioral adaptations of different species of animals. Today, we focused specifically on food obtainment with a concentration on bird beaks. The kids completed a super hands-on science lab where they tested different "bird beaks" in a variety of environments to determine if the shape of a bird's beak limits the bird's food supply! 


The science lab was divided into seven different challenges for my little birds. Each station contained three different beaks. They had to time each challenge and see which beak was most appropriate to obtain the food in each environment. Challenge #5 was all about flying insects. They had to determine which beak would be the best catcher! 




Mr. Competitive {above} was determined to break open the sunflower seed with tweezers. However, he had to settle for the fact that the pliers were the best bet in this type of environment! Love this kid! 


Which beak works best to pull small insects {rice} out of "tree trunks"? 


A Little Worm Action! 



Which beak is the best for meat eaters? 


Their Favorite...which beak is best for scooping fish without getting a beak full of water?! They loved learning about a pelican's beak! I must say...those are some pretty fascinating birds! 


Such a great way for kids to really experience and understand the importance of each adaptation in the survival of so many different species of birds! 


Along with this experiment, we also completed a little science notebooking today to add to our notes about adaptations. 

And...

Guess what is coming to our room tomorrow...


That's Right! Baby Chicks!!!! Well, the eggs at least! Let's just pray that we manage to hatch a few! Fingers crossed! 

Tomorrow, we will be taking a trip to learn more about animals and their habitats! This teacher LOVES field trips!

TGIF...almost! ;)  

Night, y'all! 

49 comments:

  1. Wow, that looks like such a fun science lab day!! My kids would love doing something like that! I'm doing some science planning tonight, so I'll have to look into it! And good luck with your baby chicks!! :)

    Molly
    Lessons with Laughter

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  2. Hi Hope! I love your bird and beak stations! Any chance of you sharing the challenge cards? I would love to do this with my kidsin an upcoming unit! Thanks!

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  3. I just LOVE this activity!! Thanks for sharing! And good luck with your chicks!!

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  4. Are all of these activities part of a unit you created?

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  5. What an awesome lab for adaptations!

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  6. Man... you are making me miss 2nd grade BIG TIME! I am in AWE!

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  7. The beak challenges are awesome! What a creative and fun teaching idea.
    Cindy
    Granny Goes to School

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  8. Is this activity available in one of your units?

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  9. You have got to be the coolest teacher ever...I want to be in your class? Is this unit for sale?

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  10. I have been looking for something like this. I too am wondering if this is for sale. I sure hope it is!

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  11. This is amazing! You always have such creative and unique ways to make your teaching hands on and engaging!!! I'll repeat the question so many have already asked...Is this part of a unit you already sell or is it one you will be selling in the future? I would buy it in a second!!!
    Natalie
    Natalies Nook

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  12. ha! this is just like the lesson I taped for my national boards. I was a hoot! During one station when the kids had to use a butterfly mouth a kid spilled the water everywhere! just kept the tape rolling!! It looks like they had a blast!

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  13. Hope, your creativity never ceases to amaze me!! By popular demand I hope you've got a little unit up your sleeve with this one in it! :)

    ❤ -Stephanie
    Falling Into First

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  14. LOVE IT! Is this available on TPT?

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  15. Hi Hope would you be willing to email me this lesson and the challenges? I would gladly pay you for this lab. I looked on tpt and did not see it available. My eamil at work is maria.moller@cvesd.org. I am really trying to get better at science planning. This would be perfect:)

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  16. I would love this activity as well......was hoping to adapt it for 4th graders. My email address is hwilson@grainvalley.k12.mo.us. Thank you!!!!!

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  17. Is this lab for sale? IS there a way to get copies of what you used and the information? Thanks
    1schoolmama@gmail.com

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  18. I would love to purchase this! Please let me know if you put it TPT. v.orwick@is-ulm.de

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  19. I as well found your center ideas to be interesting, and something my students would enjoy too. Is there a place I would be able to get a copy of your challenge cards? My e-mail is gam88@ymail.com Thanks in advance!

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  20. I too would love it. jamieploog@gmail.com If it is on tpt I would buy it

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  21. This fits the new NGSS science standards for first grade perfectly. Any chance you'd be willing to share your challenge cards or the source for your experiments? My school email is laura.scheunemann@wrps.net

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  22. this would be great for my combined k-2nd grade science. could you please email the challenge cards? thank you! percjaspg@aol.com

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  23. Wow What Fun!!! I was looking for the lab for my first graders and saw your site. I'd love, love love to have your challenge cards. Will you share? My email is luvteaching@gmail.com THANKS -Laura

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  24. Hi Hope. Can you put this on TPT or share it with me? smatravers@gmail.com

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  26. Yes I am interested too! Where can I find this?

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  27. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  28. Is this available. I see so many people have asked and I am still unclear if it is available for purchase?

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  29. As you may have guessed this lab is in high demand. If it isn't in your tpt shop can you please share it with me? maria.moller@cvesd.org

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  30. Was this ever shared anywhere?
    If so i'll leave my email too.
    jocelyn.ann.thompson@gmail.com

    Awesome work!

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  31. As someone said above, it is perfect for the 1st grade NGSS. I would be so grateful if you shared. kristine.burgess@liberty.k12.az.us

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  32. WOW - this is incredible and so engaging! My 4th graders would LOVE to try this in our animal unit. I checked TPT and did not see it for purchase. Would you be willing to share? My e-mail is ehoy@germantown.k12.wi.us. Thank you!!

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  33. These along with all of your ideas are awesome adn I am loving using them or adapting them for my class. I too was wondering if you'd be willing to share the challenge cards. My address is sara.black@education.wa.edu.au Thank you

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  34. This looks like such a great lab. Are you willing to share you challenge cards? My address is luedtkej@mdusd.org
    Thank you

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  35. Love it can I buy it somewhere?
    Kelly.howell@pccsk12.com

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  36. This looks like a great lab for the unit we are working on with my class right now... Can you tell me where I can buy it? I did not see it on your tpt store.... Thank you!

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    1. PS my email address is findthiskat@gmail.com Thanks again!

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  37. Has anyone been able to get their hands on this activity? I would love to have it and will pay for it. Please contact me at kcourtwright@ladueschools.net.

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  38. I absolutely loved this activity! I looked for it on your shop, but could not find the lesson. I would love to purchase this lesson, if possible. Please contact me at laurenemorrissey@gmail.com

    Thank you!

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  39. Hi Hope! I would love to purchase these challenge cards if they are for sale. My email is twilson@davidson.k12.nc.us.
    Thank you,
    Tamera

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  40. Wow this activity is awesome! I really would like to do this. Do you sell it? my email is ckennedy88@aol.com if you could send me the link. I just looked through your TPT account and couldn't find it. Thanks in advance
    Corina

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  41. Same as above ^^^^ was this activity ever posted anywhere. I'm sure my 2nd graders would love this activity. As a first year 2nd grade teacher I'm trying to find as many resources as possible. Please send me a link if this unit as available anywere. I tried looking on TpT but didn't see anything! thanks in advance.

    Janice.garces@gmail.com

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  42. As with most of the above comments, I would LOVE to purchase this lesson. Can you please send me a link? Thanks!!
    Jamie
    jamie.mcmillen@nv.k12.wa.us

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  44. I am in LOVE with this lesson & activity. I am teaching my second graders about adaptations, migration, and hibernation this week. I would LOVE to purchase it. Pretty please and thank you?
    megansengels@katyisd.org

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  45. SOOOO, is there somewhere to purchase this??? nyovino@nlmusd.org

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  46. This is just what I'm looking for...any chance you'd be willing to share? I'd be happy to purchase it too if you have it listed. Jhorvathhome@gmail.com. Thanks so much!!!

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  47. Is this for sale yet??? I love it!!!!

    Could you email me? acomeault@srsd.ca

    Thank you!!

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