Beak Frenzy

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Objective

Students will observe bird adaptations as they conduct an investigation using tools such as beaks. They will identify birds as herbivores, carnivores, or insectivores depending on feeding habits. Students can use skulls to examine beak or mouth function.

TEKS

  • 3: 1A-G; 2B & D; 3A-C; 5A & D-G; 11B-C; 12C; 13A
  • 4: 1A-G; 2B & D; 3A-C; 5A & D-G; 11B; 12B
  • 5: 1A-G; 2B & D; 3A-C; 5A & D-G; 11; 12B-C
Discovery Trunks

Materials

Provided

  • Data sheet
  • Northern Cardinal skull*
  • Red-tailed Hawk skull*
  • Mallard Duck skull*
  • Woodpecker skull*
*Provided in Discovery Trunk
Not Provided

  • Paper plates (3 total)
  • Large bowl (1 total)
  • Stopwatch
  • Plastic cups (1 per student)
  • Toothpicks or plastic forks (4-5)
  • Plastic or slotted spoons (4-5)
  • Nutcrackers or wide pliers - not needle-nose (4-5)
  • Forceps (4-5)
  • Raisins (grubs)
  • Mini marshmallows (aquatic plants)
  • Marbles (seeds)
  • Spaghetti (mice)

Activity Preparation

  • There will be four stations in this game, each with a different food type. Set up each station as such and provide each group with a datasheet:
  • “Grub station” – spread out raisins on a large paper plate
  • “Plants station” – fill up a large bowl with water and pour a layer of mini-marshmallows on top
  • “Seeds station” – spread out marbles on a large paper plate
  • “Mice station” – spread out a handful of spaghetti on a large paper plate

  • 3: 1A-G; 2B & D; 3A-C; 5A & D-G; 11B-C; 12C; 13A
  • 4: 1A-G; 2B & D; 3A-C; 5A & D-G; 11B; 12B
  • 5: 1A-G; 2B & D; 3A-C; 5A & D-G; 11; 12B-C

Beak Frenzy
Students will observe bird adaptations as they conduct an investigation using tools such as beaks. They will identify birds as herbivores, carnivores, or insectivores depending on feeding habits. Students can use skulls to examine beak or mouth function.

  • Background
  • Discussion
  • Activity
  • Wrap-up
  • Extension

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