Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Students set up a conservation project that will assist local biodiversity by providing local wildlife with a safe place to drink water.

Learning goal:

  • Students understand that many animals need a safe place to drink water.
  • Students recognise that people can help our native animals.

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions:

Year 1 Mathematics

  • Measure and compare the lengths and capacities of pairs of objects using uniform informal units (ACMMG019)
  • Give and follow directions to familiar locations (ACMMG023)

 Year 1 Science

  • Participate in different types of guided investigations to explore and answer questions, such as manipulating materials, testing ideas, and accessing information sources (ACSIS025)

Year 2 Mathematics

  • Compare and order several shapes and objects based on length, area, volume and capacity using appropriate uniform informal units (ACMMG037)
  • Interpret simple maps of familiar locations and identify the relative positions of key features (ACMMG044)

Year 2 Science

  • Participate in different types of guided investigations to explore and answer questions, such as manipulating materials, testing ideas, and accessing information sources (ACSIS038)

Syllabus Outcomes: MA1‑1WM, MA1‑2WM, MA1‑3WM, MA1-9MG, MA1-10MG, MA1-11MG, MA1-15MG, MA1-16MG.

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Numeracy.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.

Topic: Biodiversity.

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – Lead students in a discussion and write lists.

Resources required: Smartboard or blackboard, Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet.

Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for extension.

Keywords: Bird, bath, feeding, biodiversity.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

Overarching learning goal: By participating in this activity students understand that many animals need a safe place to drink water. Students will also recognise that people can help our native animals.

Teacher content information: A bird bath needs to be shallow so birds can stand in it. It needs clean water and to be kept full. Birds must be safe from other birds and dangers such as cats. A bird bath next to dense prickly bushes allows small birds to quickly escape. Birds like to have perches close by where they can ruffle their feathers after their bath.

A bird bath must also be safe for children. While it is preferable for the birds to have the bath on a stand, it may not be the safest for students. Any shallow bowl will do. It may be preferable to place the bowl on a stump. A staff member or parent could make a frame against a classroom window in which the bowl sits and can’t fall out and hurt a child. If there is no alternative, place the bowl on the ground

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Student Worksheet

Thought starter: Where do birds sleep and eat?

When making a bird bath you must ensure:

1. Bird bath must be shallow.

2. Bird bath needs to be kept full of clean water.

3. Birds need to be able to escape and hide if there is danger.

4. Birds want to sit on branches close to the bath so they can look for danger and after the bath shake off the water.

5. The bird bath must be safe for children and if they bump into it, it can’t fall over.

Location:

Look at a range of locations where the bird bath could go. Where is the best location in your school?
 

As a class research the answers to the following questions:

1. How much water does the bird bath hold?

2. Where is the closest tap that students can use?

3. How far will students need to walk?

4. What container will the students use to carry the water? 

5. How much weight can a student safely carry?

6. How many containers of water are needed to fill the bird bath?

7. How long will it take to fill the bird bath?

8. 

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Leave your Feedback

We appreciate your feedback. Let us know what you like or don't like about this activity:

Sorry. You must be logged in to view this form.