Bird Bumpbusters: Save Our Feathered Friends!

Kindergarten Grade

Project
4 weeks

Bird Bumpbusters: Save Our Feathered Friends!

wanhong ye

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.2

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1

Purpose

Explore creative solutions to protect local birds from window collisions by designing bird-friendly spaces. Engage with community partners to understand the impact of architectural choices on bird safety. Develop communication skills through reading and writing informative texts, while collaborating with peers and experts to create effective bird collision prevention strategies.

Learning goals

Develop your understanding of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling through writing a bird-friendly building proposal. Enhance your ability to read closely and make logical inferences by analyzing news articles about bird collisions with windows. Strengthen your skills in collecting and analyzing data to support hypotheses about preventing bird collisions. Engage in critical thinking and creativity by designing anti-collision stickers and proposing innovative solutions for bird-friendly spaces. Reflect on your learning process and the impact of your designs on the community and local bird populations.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.2 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

Products

Create a bird-friendly building initiative letter to propose changes that help prevent bird collisions with windows. Design and craft bird collision prevention stickers that can be placed on windows to deter birds from flying into them. These products will be shared with classmates, teachers, and community members during the exhibition, showcasing your understanding and creativity in designing bird-friendly spaces.

Launch

Begin the project by reading a news article about birds colliding with glass windows. Discuss the article with your classmates, focusing on the reasons why birds might be crashing into glass. Use this discussion to brainstorm initial ideas on how to prevent these collisions. Consider inviting a local bird protection expert to share insights and answer questions, helping you understand the real-world implications of the problem.

Exhibition

Invite classmates, teachers, and community members to a special exhibition where you showcase your bird-friendly building proposals and anti-collision stickers. Create interactive displays that explain the causes of bird collisions and your creative solutions. Facilitate a gallery walk where attendees can view your work and provide feedback, fostering a dialogue about protecting local bird species.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch - Read a news article about birds colliding with glass windows to understand the problem and discuss initial thoughts with the class. (45 min)	Brainstorm Session - Collaborate with classmates to list reasons why birds might crash into windows and potential solutions. (20 min) Invite Expert - Listen to a local bird protection expert discuss bird safety and ask questions to clarify understanding. (25 min)	Close Reading - Analyze a short informative text on bird collisions to identify key facts and inferences. (30 min) Textual Evidence - Practice using specific textual evidence to support conclusions drawn from the reading. (15 min)	Creative Thinking - Begin designing ideas for anti-collision stickers by sketching initial concepts. (20 min) Peer Feedback - Share sticker designs with peers and receive constructive feedback. (25 min)	Reflection - Reflect on the week's learning and discuss how the project relates to protecting local birds. (15 min) Data Collection - Start gathering data on local bird species and window types to inform sticker design. (30 min)
Deliverables	1. A set of initial sketches of bird collision prevention stickers created by each student.
Preparation	1. Select and simplify a news article about bird collisions for kindergarten reading level. 2. Curate a selection of videos and images showing local birds and their habitats. 3. Arrange for a local bird protection expert to visit the classroom, including scheduling and preparing students with questions. 4. Gather art supplies such as paper, crayons, and markers for sketching sticker designs. 5. Create visual aids to support discussions, such as images of birds and diagrams of buildings.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Bird Observation - Go outside to observe local birds and note their behaviors, focusing on how they interact with windows. (20 min) Discussion and Q&A - Share observations with classmates and discuss reasons for bird collisions, asking questions to deepen understanding. (25 min)	Data Analysis - Review collected bird and window data to identify patterns and make inferences about collision causes. (20 min) Hypothesis Formulation - Develop hypotheses on how to prevent bird collisions based on analyzed data. (25 min)	Sketch Revision - Refine sticker design sketches based on peer feedback and collision data insights. (20 min) Sticker Creation - Begin crafting bird collision prevention stickers using art materials. (25 min)	Expert Critique - Present sticker designs to a bird protection expert for feedback on effectiveness and improvements. (20 min) Peer Evaluation - Collaborate with classmates to provide and receive constructive feedback on sticker designs. (25 min)	Proposal Drafting - Start writing a draft proposal for bird-friendly building initiatives using standard English conventions. (25 min) Reflection and Sharing - Reflect on the week's progress and share insights with peers on how designs can impact bird safety. (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Group-created drawings showing bird behavior and potential collision causes based on observations and readings. 2. Deliverable 2: Initial drafts of anti-collision stickers designed by student groups, showing creative approaches to prevent bird-window collisions.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Gather binoculars and bird identification charts for outdoor observation activities. 2. Prep Task 2: Print child-friendly articles about bird collisions with windows and create simple graphic organizers for analysis. 3. Prep Task 3: Provide art supplies like colored paper, crayons, and markers for sticker design activities. 4. Prep Task 4: Set up a designated space for group discussions and brainstorming sessions, ensuring a comfortable and collaborative environment.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Exploration Walk - Go on a nature walk to observe local birds and discuss their behaviors with classmates. (20 min) Sketching Session - Draw birds observed during the walk and label their features to deepen understanding. (25 min)	Data Analysis - Review collected data on bird species and window types from Week 1, and identify patterns or trends. (25 min) Hypothesis Formation - Develop hypotheses on how different window designs may affect bird collision rates. (20 min)	Sticker Design Revision - Revise initial anti-collision sticker designs based on peer feedback and new insights from data analysis. (30 min) Expert Check-In - Share revised designs with the bird protection expert for additional feedback and suggestions. (15 min)	Writing Workshop - Craft bird-friendly building initiative letters, focusing on capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. (25 min) Peer Review - Exchange letters with classmates and provide constructive feedback on writing conventions and clarity. (20 min)	Reflection Circle - Reflect on the learning journey and discuss how the project has influenced views on bird conservation. (20 min) Exhibition Preparation - Begin preparing materials for the upcoming exhibition, organizing displays and practicing presentations. (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Observation Journal: Students will complete a journal entry documenting local bird species observed during the nature walk, including drawings and descriptions. 2. Sticker Prototype: Each student will create a prototype of their anti-collision sticker design, incorporating feedback from peers and using bird-friendly materials. 3. Reflection Sheet: Students will complete a reflection sheet detailing their learning process, insights gained, and ideas for improving their designs.
Preparation	1. Gather field trip permissions and plan a safe route for the nature walk. 2. Collect materials for sticker design workshop, including paper, markers, and sample bird-friendly materials. 3. Set up feedback stations with prompts for constructive critique during the peer feedback session. 4. Prepare reflection sheets with guided questions to assist students in articulating their learning experiences.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Sticker Production - Produce final versions of bird collision prevention stickers using refined designs. (25 min) Exhibition Setup - Organize and arrange displays showcasing sticker designs and initiative letters for exhibition. (20 min)	Dress Rehearsal - Practice presenting bird-friendly building proposals and sticker designs to classmates. (30 min) Feedback Session - Exchange constructive feedback on presentations to improve clarity and engagement. (15 min)	Exhibition Day - Present bird-friendly building proposals and anti-collision stickers to classmates, teachers, and community members. (30 min) Gallery Walk - Facilitate a tour of displays, explaining the causes of bird collisions and proposed solutions. (15 min)	Reflection Journal - Write reflections on the project process and personal learning experiences. (20 min) Community Impact Discussion - Discuss the potential impact of designs on local bird populations and community awareness. (25 min)	Celebration and Sharing - Share final thoughts and celebrate project achievements with classmates and community partners. (25 min) Future Actions Brainstorming - Brainstorm future actions to continue bird conservation efforts beyond the project. (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Finalized bird-friendly building proposal 2. Completed anti-collision sticker designs 3. Presentation and exhibition setup 4. Reflection and self-assessment document
Preparation	1. Gather materials for exhibition displays (e.g., poster boards, markers, stickers) 2. Coordinate with community partners for attendance at the exhibition 3. Arrange space for the exhibition and gallery walk 4. Prepare feedback forms for exhibition attendees 5. Set up technology for presentations (e.g., tablets, projectors if necessary)