Multimedia Video: All About Birds

Subject Area: Science - Animal Life Cycles Unit

Grade Level: Grade 3

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/birds/zoom.weml

Description of Multimedia Learning Object:

The video attached here is a great explanation of birds and their basic physical characteristics. The video is animated and hosted by two cartoon characters named Tim and Moby – a boy and his robot. The video starts off by defining what characterizes a bird, how they survive in nature and finally the different parts of their body that are adaptations to their environment.

Description of Integration Idea:

I would use this video after I have gone through all of physical adaptations of a bird. By this time, students should be familiar with what a bird is and what kind of animal they are. Once I have gone through all of the bird’s physical characteristics and adaptations, this video is a great way to link all of the concepts together. In addition, the video gives animated descriptions of how each part of the bird works to help it eat, fly, and survive. This is a great lead-in to that part of the unit as we explore the function of the bird’s beak, feathers and wings in depth. Many children are better visual learners. To show this video after I have gone over the concepts could serve useful for some children to further understand the concepts taught and tie them together. There is also a great quiz at the end of the video. Once I have shown the video, we would go through this quiz together as a class.

Planning and Preparation:

In order to use the video effectively, it would be tied into my lesson plan. I would ensure that my lesson plan covers the concepts covered in the video. If it does not, the concepts should have been covered in previous classes. The video goes through the information rather quickly; therefore it is critical that I have explained much of the information ahead of time rather than bombarding the students with information without the opportunity to stop for questions. This way, the video has served it’s purpose as a summary of concepts taught and a lead-in to further exploration of each concept. In addition, I would have the video set up and ready to go before the class started. This is key to good classroom management. If there is a break between the lesson and setting up the video, the students can get off task and unfocused.

Grade 3 Science Learning Outcomes:

General Learning Outcome 3-1: Students will investigate the nature of birds.
General Learning Outcome 3-10: Students will be able to describe the appearances of birds and identify their adaptations to their environment.
Specific Learning Outcome 1: Students will be able to classify birds based on their observable characteristics – feathers, beak, wings, shape, and backbone.
Specific Learning Outcome 7: Students will recognize adaptations of birds to their environment.

8: Grade 3 ICT Learning Outcomes:

C1: Students will use and communicate information from a variety of technologies. Specifically, students will process information from more than one source to retell what has been discovered.

C5: Students will use technology to aid collaboration during an inquiry. Specifically, students will share information from the video to add to the classroom-learning task.

C6: Students will use technology to investigate problems. Specifically, they are supporting the information and answering further questions about birds.