Exploring Australian Birds

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Overview

Year Level: Foundation (Prep)

Subject: Science

Duration: 30 minutes

Australian Curriculum Link:
Science Understanding – Biological Sciences (ACSSU002): "Living things have basic needs, including food and water."

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Learning Intentions

• Students will identify basic needs of Australian birds: where they live, what they eat and drink, and how they make nests.
• Students will recognise that different Australian birds meet their needs in different ways.
• Students will engage in observation and play-based inquiry related to birds and their habitats.

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Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Name at least one Australian bird species.
• Describe where birds live and what materials they use for nests.
• Explain what birds eat and how they get water.
• Share an idea about how people can help birds in their local environment.

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Resources Needed

• Large images or printed flashcards of Australian birds (e.g., magpie, lorikeet, cockatoo, fairy wren)
• Real materials for "nest making": leaves, twigs, string, cotton wool, feathers
• Interactive whiteboard or big book displaying bird habitats
• Three large hula hoops (for 'habitat sorting' game)
• Toy birds or plush birds
• Bluetooth speaker (for bird call sounds)
• Laminated needs cards (food, water, shelter)

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Key Vocabulary

• Habitat
• Nest
• Shelter
• Food
• Water
• Materials
• Protection

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Lesson Sequence

1. Acknowledgement and Starter (3 minutes)

Teacher says:
"Before we begin our learning today, let's acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land we are on who have cared for Australia's birds and wildlife for thousands of years. We pay our respects to Elders past and present."

2. Learning Hook – Bird Sounds and Movement (5 minutes)

• Play real sounds of Australian birds (e.g., kookaburra laughing).
• Encourage students to guess which bird is making the sound.
• Students "fly" like different birds around the room for 1 minute (e.g., soared like an eagle, fluttered like a fairy wren).

Teacher Prompt:
"What do all these birds need to live? Where do you think they sleep at night?"

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3. Mini-lesson – Birds' Basic Needs (7 minutes)

On the board, show big pictures or drawings:

🌳 Where Birds Live: Trees, bushes, wetlands, beaches

🛏 How They Make Their Nests: Using sticks, feathers, leaves, mud

🍴 What They Eat: Seeds, nectar, insects, small animals, fruit

💧 What They Drink: Puddles, rivers, bird baths

Teacher question prompts:

• "Why do you think birds choose trees to live in?"
• "What would happen if they couldn't find water?"
• "Who has seen a bird building a nest?"

Hands-on: Show materials birds use for nests. Touch and pass around for sensory connection.

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4. Group Activity – Habitat Sorting Game (8 minutes)

Set up three hula hoops on the floor labelled:

• Trees
• Wetlands
• Beaches

Students work in teams to pick up a toy bird or a bird card and place it into the correct habitat.

🔖 Example birds:

• Rainbow Lorikeet → trees
• Purple Swamphen → wetlands
• Pied Oystercatcher → beaches

Afterwards, discuss: "Why do you think the wetland bird lives near water?"

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5. Creative Task – Build a Bird Nest (5 minutes)

Students are given a small handful of materials (sticks, cotton wool, leaves).

Challenge: In their table groups, students work together to quickly build a mini "bird’s nest" using the materials.

Aim: Encourage problem-solving and teamwork as students think like birds.

Optional: Have a soft toy 'bird' to "test" in the nest!

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6. Reflection and Share (2 minutes)

Circle time style:

• Each student says one thing they learned about birds today.
• Teacher records a few responses on butcher's paper as a class mind map titled "What Birds Need To Live".

Final prompt: "What can we do to help birds in our gardens?" (e.g., plant trees, put out water)

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Differentiation

• Visual aids provided for EAL/D learners and lower-literacy students.
• Extra adult support (such as a teacher aide) at the hula hoop game station if necessary.
• Extension: Keen learners challenged to name two needs together (e.g., "Birds make nests in trees because trees keep them safe and dry.")

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Assessment (Informal)

• Observation during discussion and activities: Are students able to explain basic bird needs?
• Participation in habitat sorting game and nest building.
• Student comments during reflection.

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Teacher Notes

• Encourage curiosity and wonder using vivid real-life connections: "Imagine you are a tiny baby bird! What would you need to survive?"
• Connect learning to a later outside walk or future lesson: "Next week, we will go outside and see if we can find nests!"

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Possible Follow-Up Activities

• Nature walk: Look for birds' nests and food sources near the school.
• Craft: Create bird masks or "bird fact" posters.
• Invite a local wildlife expert or ranger to speak to the class about caring for native birds.

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End of Lesson Prompt

"Let's all spread our wings and say thank you to the amazing birds of Australia!" 🐦✨

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