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Amateur Ornithologist

eng / 5 June, World Environment Day

English activities to commemorate World Environment Day will deal with birds. Then we will upload them to the online Nature Learning Centre.

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Activity 1. Describing birds

The first thing to do is checking if you can identify some common birds that live around us. Write these names under the photographs: 

BUZZARD - CROW - WAGTAIL - CORMORANT - MAGPIE - SPARROW - STARLING - ROBIN

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Alien

The second step is having a look at the image on the left to learn the different parts of a bird and at the image on the right to learn some basic vocabulary to describe birds.

Parts of a bird

gregroose, Bird, (CC0)

VOCABULARY

-It is very small/ small/ pigeon sized/ large/ really large.

-It has got a pointed/ hooked/ flat/ narrow/ wide/ cone shaped/ long beak.

-Its feathers are dark /light /bright /pale/ + colour.

-It has got (colour) spots/ bars.

-Its tail/ wings is/ are round/ pointy/ short/ long/straight.

-Its legs are long/ short/ strong/ thin.

- It has got sharp/ large/ small claws. It has got webbing between its toes/ flexible toes/ long toes.

- It eats seeds/ grass/ insects/ fish/ small animals.

-It can't fly/ It can fish/ It can live in urban areas/ It hunts at night etc.
Now read this description of a pigeon to have an idea of how to organize the information. After stating the bird's general appearance, start describing its head and finish with its claws. The last thing is to add some distinctive characteristics, abilities, etc.

A pigeon is a small bird.

It has got a small head and a short beak. Its feathers may usually be gray, white or black. It may have a different colour in its throat. It has got a tail with different colour patterns. Its legs are short and its claws are small.

It can easily live in urban areas. It can find their way back home from a good distance.

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             SandeepHanda, Homing-pigeon, (CC0)

Now it is time for your task. Find out which other birds live in your area, choose one and write a description using the vocabulary and the example. If it is possible, take a photograph of the bird. If you can't, search for an image in pixabay. If you can't identify it, try here, world-birds. When your description is finished, check spelling with a dictionary and practise saying it before reading it to the classroom. After that, it is ready to be uploaded to the online Nature Learning Centre.

If you need some extra help with your description, go to extra activities below.

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EXTRA ACTIVITIES

Perhaps you may need some help to organise the information to write a description. Have a look at the image on the right and write the answers for the questions. Then read the vocabulary above to see the words you may need. Then read the pigeon description above to check the paragraphs and don't forget to get the image of the bird. There you are, the description is finished.

Remeber to use a dictionary or the information here to make sure spelling is correct and check the rubric to see what you are expected to learn.

 Bird Log

Activity 2. Building a Birdhouse

We are going to build a birdhouse so that birds can be safe. We are going to record all steps and make a video to upload to the online Nature Learning Centre.

We will need help from technology teachers and their permission and advise to use tools.

Birdhouse

            TanteLoe, Bird, (CC0)

VOCABULARY

- Measure...

- Cut/ Saw/ Mark...

- Attach using glue.

- Use a screwdriver/ a hammer.

- Drill a hole.

- Trim a piece ...

- Assemble ends.

- Don't use...

RECORDING THE VIDEO 

- Plan the scenes and the text you are going to show so that it is clear how to build the birdhouse. When it is correctly written, hand it to the teacher to be checked.

- Practise the sentences that go together with the images.

- Take care of the light, avoid shadows. If necessary, use a lamp.

- Pay attention to background noise, avoid break time or bell ringing.

- If you are going to use a mobile phone, always ask for permission.

- You can use a program such as Openshot Video Editor if you want to edit the video. 

Activity 3. Your own ideas.

Idea....

Can you propose more activities for Amateur Ornithologists area? Explain them to other students and teachers to see if they are suitable for the online Nature Learning Centre.