Pacific Northwest Birds: Living or Non-Living?
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we explore the fascinating lives of Pacific Northwest birds to understand what makes them living things and how they thrive in their habitats?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the characteristics of living things?
- How do we know birds are living things?
- What do birds need to survive?
- How are different types of birds alike and different?
- Where do birds live?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Identify the characteristics of living things.
- Determine that birds are living things.
- Describe the needs of birds to survive.
- Compare and contrast different types of birds.
- Identify where birds live.
- Explore the fascinating lives of Pacific Northwest birds to understand what makes them living things and how they thrive in their habitats
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsBaby Bird Hatching
The teacher shows a video clip of baby birds hatching. Students discuss what they observe in the video, including the needs of the baby birds and how the parent birds care for them.Bird Song Mystery
An audio recording of various Pacific Northwest bird songs is played, but the birds are not identified. Students listen closely, then create drawings or act out movements inspired by the sounds, sparking curiosity about the creatures behind the calls.Living or Not
Students are presented with a collection of items, some natural (feathers, twigs, leaves) and some artificial (plastic, paper scraps). They sort the items based on whether they came from a living thing, introducing the concept of living vs. non-living in the context of bird habitats.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Living Things Discovery Chart
Students create a 'Living Things' chart, listing items found in the video and categorizing them as living or non-living.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA chart with labeled pictures or drawings of living and non-living things.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Identify the characteristics of living things.Birds are Alive!
Students create a presentation explaining why birds are living things, based on their observations and what they have learned about the characteristics of living things.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short presentation (drawing, or simple explanation) on why birds are living.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Determine that birds are living things.Bird Needs Mobile
Students construct a 'Bird Needs' mobile, illustrating and labeling the essential elements birds need to survive.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA mobile with pictures representing the needs of birds (food, water, shelter, air).Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Describe the needs of birds to survive.Bird Comparison Venn Diagram
Students make a Venn diagram comparing two types of birds from the Pacific Northwest.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA Venn diagram that shows the similarities and differences of two kinds of birds.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Compare and contrast different types of birds.A Bird's Home Diorama
Students build a diorama of a Pacific Northwest bird habitat.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA diorama showcasing a bird and its habitat (e.g., forest, wetland).Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Identify where birds live.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioPacific Northwest Birds Portfolio Rubric
Classification and Explanation
Focuses on identifying and categorizing items as living or non-living and explaining the reasoning behind each classification.Understanding of Living vs. Non-Living
Demonstrates understanding of the characteristics that define living things and non-living things.
Exemplary
4 PointsAccurately identifies and categorizes multiple items as living or non-living with detailed explanations, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of living things.
Proficient
3 PointsCorrectly identifies and categorizes most items as living or non-living with clear explanations, showing a solid understanding of the characteristics of living things.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies and categorizes some items as living or non-living with basic explanations, indicating an emerging understanding of the characteristics of living things.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify and categorize items as living or non-living, with limited or unclear explanations, showing a beginning understanding of the characteristics of living things.
Explanation of Reasoning
Effectively communicates the reasoning behind categorizing items as living or non-living.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides insightful and well-reasoned explanations for each categorization, demonstrating a deep understanding of the underlying concepts.
Proficient
3 PointsGives clear and logical explanations for most categorizations, showing a good grasp of the concepts involved.
Developing
2 PointsOffers basic explanations for some categorizations, but reasoning may be incomplete or partially unclear.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides minimal or unclear explanations for categorizations, indicating difficulty in articulating the reasoning.
Explanation and Presentation
Focuses on explaining why birds are considered living things and effectively presenting that information.Understanding of Bird Characteristics
Demonstrates a clear understanding of how birds meet the characteristics of living things (e.g., eating, growing, moving, reproducing).
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful explanation, demonstrating a deep understanding of how birds fulfill all the characteristics of living things with specific examples.
Proficient
3 PointsClearly explains how birds meet most of the characteristics of living things, providing relevant examples to support their explanation.
Developing
2 PointsExplains how birds meet some of the characteristics of living things, but the explanation may be incomplete or lack specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain how birds meet the characteristics of living things, with a limited or unclear understanding of the concepts.
Presentation Effectiveness
Effectively presents the information, showcasing the connection between living things and bird life.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents information in a highly creative, engaging, and clear manner, effectively highlighting the connection between living things and bird life through detailed illustrations or explanations.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents information clearly and effectively, showing a good connection between living things and bird life through adequate illustrations or explanations.
Developing
2 PointsPresents information with some clarity, but the connection between living things and bird life may be partially unclear or the presentation could be more organized.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents information in a disorganized or unclear manner, struggling to connect living things and bird life effectively.
Needs Identification and Mobile Construction
Focuses on identifying, representing, and constructing a mobile to display the essential needs of birds for survival.Identification and Representation of Needs
Identifies and represents the essential needs of birds for survival (food, water, shelter, air).
Exemplary
4 PointsAccurately identifies and creatively represents all essential needs of birds with detailed and thoughtful illustrations or representations.
Proficient
3 PointsCorrectly identifies and represents most of the essential needs of birds with clear and appropriate illustrations or representations.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies and represents some of the essential needs of birds, but the illustrations or representations may be basic or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify and represent the essential needs of birds, with limited or unclear illustrations or representations.
Mobile Construction and Communication
Constructs a well-organized and visually appealing mobile that effectively communicates the needs of birds.
Exemplary
4 PointsConstructs a highly creative, well-organized, and visually stunning mobile that effectively communicates the needs of birds in an engaging way.
Proficient
3 PointsConstructs a well-organized and visually appealing mobile that clearly communicates the needs of birds.
Developing
2 PointsConstructs a mobile that shows some organization and visual appeal, but could be improved to better communicate the needs of birds.
Beginning
1 PointsConstructs a mobile that lacks organization and visual appeal, struggling to effectively communicate the needs of birds.
Bird Comparison and Venn Diagram
Focuses on comparing two types of birds and effectively using a Venn diagram to represent the similarities and differences.Comparison Accuracy
Identifies and describes both similarities and differences between two types of Pacific Northwest birds.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful comparison, identifying and describing multiple similarities and differences with detailed explanations and examples.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and describes several similarities and differences with clear explanations and relevant examples.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies and describes a few similarities and differences, but the explanations may be basic or lack detail.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify and describe similarities and differences, with limited or unclear explanations.
Venn Diagram Effectiveness
Effectively uses a Venn diagram to visually represent the similarities and differences.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a visually appealing and highly organized Venn diagram that clearly and effectively represents all identified similarities and differences.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a well-organized Venn diagram that clearly represents the identified similarities and differences.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a Venn diagram that shows some organization, but the representation of similarities and differences could be clearer.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates a disorganized or unclear Venn diagram, struggling to effectively represent the similarities and differences.
Habitat Diorama Construction
Focuses on the accuracy of the habitat representation and the craftsmanship and creativity applied in constructing the diorama.Habitat Accuracy
Accurately represents a Pacific Northwest bird in its natural habitat.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a highly detailed and accurate diorama that showcases a deep understanding of the bird's habitat and its role within the ecosystem.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates an accurate diorama that effectively represents the bird in its natural habitat with appropriate elements.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a diorama that shows some representation of the bird and its habitat, but may lack detail or accuracy.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates a diorama that struggles to accurately represent the bird and its habitat, with limited or unclear elements.
Craftsmanship and Creativity
Demonstrates craftsmanship and creativity in the construction of the diorama.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional craftsmanship and creativity in the diorama's construction, utilizing materials effectively to create a visually stunning and engaging representation.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates good craftsmanship and creativity in the diorama's construction, using materials effectively.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates basic craftsmanship in the diorama's construction, but could benefit from more creativity or attention to detail.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited craftsmanship in the diorama's construction, struggling to effectively use materials or create a visually appealing representation.