The Bird Of Antarctica
Learning Sequence
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Introduction With Gavin
Watch the video with John and Gavin on the wandering albatross. In this lesson, we explore the rich biodiversity of birds in the Great Southern Ocean, highlighting their unique adaptations for survival. We focus on the wandering albatross, known for its incredible flying abilities, and draw connections between their physiological features and sustainable living. By studying these remarkable creatures, we can gain valuable insights into innovative ways to adapt and thrive in challenging environments.
Once your class have discovered the connections between nature and science we want them to find connections of their own and start to understand how we can learn from the animals in Antarctica when it comes to a better way of living together.
The Great Southern Ocean is home to an incredible abundance of birds! From tiny penguins to giant albatrosses, this area is teeming with feathered friends. These birds have adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the ocean, and each species has unique behaviours and physical traits that help them thrive. Whether they’re diving into the water to catch fish, flying up to 7,000,000km in a lifetime, or building nests on remote islands, these birds are truly amazing to observe and learn about.
The wandering albatross is known for their incredible flying abilities. With wingspans reaching up to 11 feet, they can fly for days without landing, covering thousands of miles in search of food. Their ability to survive and thrive in one of the harshest environments on the planet is a testament to their remarkable adaptability and remarkable physiological features, such as their strong wings and efficient air sacs in their bones that reduce their weight and improve their endurance. The wandering albatross truly is one of nature’s most amazing and awe-inspiring creatures.
In this course we are going to find connections between science and nature to see how the animals in Antarctica can teach us about how to live in a more sustainable way!
Course Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will help you during this course. You may already know some of these words however practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
Key Quote - Paul Nicklen
As an introduction to this course, we will start by reading a quote, talking about what it means to further understand how we can use these words as lessons to learn from.
Read the following quote and discuss it with your class.
Read this quote and think about what it means and what we can learn from it to make the world a better place!
You may want to note it down in your notebook and draw a nice picture next to it!
Comprehension Activity - The Birds of Antarctica
This activity can be done independently or tackled as a guided reading activity with your students.
Once the children have read the relevant information, they can then work through the comprehension questions until they become too hard. The four levels of questions allow for your students to push themselves until they become too difficult. They may wish to use classroom resources to solve the questions they find too hard or they can be used as extension activities to be completed in free time or at home.
Read the information opposite on the geology of Antarctica and use the information gained from the video above and attempt to answer as many of the comprehension questions as possible.
You may talk to the people in the classroom and use any resources available in the classroom to get the answers. You may even wish to continue your research at home on the questions that you could not solve.
Remember to answer the questions in full sentences and make notes of any diagrams that may help you remember the facts at a later date!
Bringing Mathematics to Life - Human Body Big Numbers
In this lesson, we delve into the wonders of living creatures, specifically focusing on the human body, while nurturing our students’ understanding of place value and the magnitude of numbers. We highlight the astounding fact that within every organism, there exist millions or even trillions of interconnected items.
By researching the human body, we aim to unveil the vast variety of different parts that contribute to our survival and well-being. Through completing a table, our students will explore the significance of place value and how it relates to these extraordinarily large numbers. Armed with this knowledge, they will be empowered to share the marvels of complex organisms with others.
Did you know that inside every living creature, including us the amazing albatross, there are millions and even trillions of tiny things working together?
These tiny things are called parts, and they help our bodies function properly. In this activity, we will learn about the human body and discover how many different parts we have to keep us alive and healthy.
Take a look at the task card opposite and fill in a table to understand these big numbers and then share our newfound knowledge with others. It’s fascinating to see how many incredible things make up our bodies and how they all work together to keep us going strong!
Big numbers are not only all around us but also inside us!!
Real World Learning - Science in Nature
This lesson will focus on how nature inspires everyday inventions. We will explore different objects and discover how they were inspired by nature to make our lives better.
Your students will conduct research on the listed objects, exploring how they were influenced by nature and how they benefit us. Encourage collaboration by allowing students to work in teams, but emphasise the importance of using diverse sources for their research. By studying nature, we can unlock amazing inventions. Let your students enjoy the process of exploring and uncovering the wonders of nature in our everyday objects!
In this activity, we are going to learn about how nature has inspired some of the inventions we use every day. Nature is full of amazing things, and scientists and inventors often look to nature for ideas on how to make our lives better. We will explore different objects and find out how they were inspired by nature to help us in our daily lives.
Now, it’s your turn. Look at the objects listed in the task card opposite and conduct research around how it was inspired by nature and how it helps us in our lives.
You may wish to work in teams but remember to use a variety of sources for your research. Nature is a great teacher, and by studying it, we can come up with amazing inventions that make our lives better. Have fun exploring and discovering the wonders of nature in our everyday objects!
Aeroplanes vs Albatross
In this activity, we delve into the intricate connection between nature and modern engineering. The students will be captivated by the exploration of how nature’s influence shapes the design and functionality of our technological advancements. Specifically, they will examine the fascinating parallels between the majestic albatross and contemporary airplanes.
To unravel the secrets behind this connection, the children are encouraged to conduct thorough research from a diverse range of sources. By delving into various references, they will gain a comprehensive understanding of why this design works both for the bird in flight and the plane soaring through the sky. Through collaboration and sharing findings, the class aims to discover common conclusions and broaden their knowledge in this captivating field.
In this activity, we are learning all about the impact and influence that nature has on the world in which we live. Take a look at the task card opposite and find the similarities between the amazing albatross and a modern-day airplane.
You must gather your research from a variety of sources and learn about why this design works both for the bird in flight and the plane in the sky. Once your research is complete, fill in the blank spaces and share your findings with those in your class to see if you have arrived at the same conclusions.
Let's Sketch With Jordan - Bird Sketching
Let’s explore a fascinating animal from the Antarctic, and have your class draw it using simple sketching techniques and just a pencil and paper.
We’re incredibly fortunate to have Jordan Brun from Young Art USA as our guide throughout this process.
Let your students take a look at the task card with Jordan’s example, and then they can use the video below as a guide to attempt to draw the same thing using Jordan’s techniques.
Once your students have mastered the technique, you might want to let them make a final version on special art paper, which could be used as a portfolio piece or framed and given as a present.
In this activity, we will be exploring an amazing picture taken in Antarctica. We want you to try and recreate it using simple sketching techniques and shading. Our friend Jordan will be helping you along the way, so don’t worry!
To help you get better at drawing, we have a task card that you can use. Once you become an expert at sketching, you can transfer your drawings onto nice paper and give them away as presents.
Remember, you don’t have to make your drawings look exactly like Jordan’s. Make them special and be proud of what you create!
Sketch With Jordan - Video
Let your students watch the video as a visual aid to help them create fantastic sketches. It’s also a good idea for you to watch the video and learn from Jordan alongside the students.
For this sketch, talk to your students about beginning with basic shapes that they recognize to create the simple overall form of the goose. Have them create the larger areas before focusing on the smaller ones to get proportion down.
Details and differences between dark and light portions should be the last things they focus on.
If the students see that you’re invested in the project too, they’ll be even more excited to complete these tasks as a team.
Jordan has created a brief video to aid you in your drawing and shading. Watch the video to improve your drawing abilities, and remember that you can continue practicing your sketching outside of class to become a skilled artist like Jordan.
Best of luck!
Create With Jordan - Colour Contrast Diptych (Short Video)
Colour Contrast Diptych
Core Curriculum Connection: Science/Language Arts
Elemental Foci: Color, Space, Shape
Principle Foci: Emphasis, Contrast, Balance
Goal: Students will be able to create juxtapositioned compositions that compare values.
Criteria:
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Create two different images of the same area – one using mainly warm colours – reds, oranges, and yellows; and the other using cool colours – mainly blues, greens and violets.
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Place a human figure in each composition, changing their body positions based on the weather.
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Use different ranges of colours to help showcase the comparison in their pose and how you think the colours can affect their mood.
Relevance:
Through this project, students will be able to create a simple visual story (narrative) by showcasing changes to a single character based off of their surroundings and situation. They will also be able to create a feeling of different kinds of mood through colour.
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Here’s an art activity related to what we’ve been learning about in class. It’s an opportunity for you to enhance your artistic abilities and learn more about the amazing things that exist in the Antarctic region.
Take a look at the video on the other side and then do your best to follow Jordan’s guidance to make the world a better place with your creative skills.
To fully understand what we will be creating in this short course, you may wish to watch the full video below before starting.
Let’s get creative!
Let's Create With Jordan - Full Video
Watch the video with your class and support them as they use the skills demonstrated in the video in their own work tasks.
Watch Jordan’s full video here before starting your creative art project and remember that your work does not need to match Jordan’s exactly. Use it as a guide and try to make your work unique and be as creative as you