Lesson Plan: Exploring Nest Building in Technology

Overview

This detailed lesson plan is designed for Year 1 and Year 2 students in a New Zealand classroom setting. The lesson focuses on understanding the technology and engineering behind bird nest building, incorporating hands-on activities aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum's Technology area, specifically at curriculum level 1.

Objectives

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

1. Understand the basic principles of building structures, focused on stability and materials.
2. Identify different materials used in building nests and their properties.
3. Construct a simple model of a bird’s nest using natural and provided materials.

New Zealand Curriculum Links

• Technology: Technological Practice, Level 1 NZ Curriculum Technology
  • Students learn to be innovative developers of products and systems and discerning consumers who will make a difference in the world.

Resources

• Natural materials (twigs, grasses, leaves, feathers)
• Art supplies (glue, paper, scissors)
• Display images of different types of bird nests
• Books and videos about birds and their nesting habits
• Digital device for research and viewing digital content

Lesson Duration

120 minutes

Class Size

22 students

Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (15 minutes)

Objective: Set the stage for the lesson and introduce the concept of nests.

1. Discuss: What is a nest and why do birds build them? Focus on the purpose of shelter and protection.
2. Show images and videos of different bird nests, highlighting variety in size, shape, and materials.

Exploration (30 minutes)

Objective: Explore materials and their properties.

1. Group Activity: In small groups, students explore and handle different materials provided in the classroom. Discuss which materials seem strong, which are flexible, and which might be cosy for a bird.
2. Interactive Discussion: What materials would you use for building a nest? Why?

Practical Activity - Nest Building (45 minutes)

Objective: Apply knowledge of materials and construction to build a model nest.

1. Demonstration: Show a simple example of how to start constructing a nest using the materials.
2. Group Work: In groups, students start building their own nests. Encourage creativity and experimentation with different techniques and materials.
3. Ongoing Support: Circulate and provide assistance, prompting students to think about the structure and stability of their nests.

Presentation (15 minutes)

Objective: Showcase student work and reflect on learning.

1. Share: Each group presents their nest to the class, explaining their choice of materials and methods.
2. Class Discussion: Talk about what worked, what didn’t, and what they might do differently next time.

Conclusion (15 minutes)

Objective: Consolidate learning and connect knowledge to real-world applications.

1. Reflect: What have we learned about how birds build nests?
2. Connect: How do human building techniques compare to those of birds?
3. Wrap-up: Recap the day’s activities and discuss any questions the students have.

Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Observations during activities and discussions provide insights into the students’ understanding and skills.
• Summative Assessment: Assess the completed nests on criteria such as use of materials, stability, and creativity. Provide feedback to each group.

Follow-Up

• Display: Arrange to have the nests displayed in the school library or classroom to share with others.
• Extend Learning: Encourage students to watch for nests in their neighbourhoods or at home and report back their observations.

This lesson plan engages students in a hands-on activity that connects to their direct environment, fostering understanding of technology and design within the context of New Zealand’s natural world.