Beak Basics Teacher GuideBeak Basics Instructional Guide • Grades 2-3 Duration 40 MIN Objective Students will observe bird beaks and hypothesize what food they eat based on shape, understanding that physical traits are adaptations for survival. Materials Beak Buffet Slides Beak Gallery Reference Beak Match Worksheet Pencils & Colored Pencils Lesson Sequence 5 The Hook: Meat-Eaters? Show the clip at 0:20 of the Kookaburra eating a mouse. Ask: "Did you know birds eat meat? Look at that bird's beak—how does it hold onto a mouse?" 10 Observation & Discussion Watch the full video. Pause and discuss the following beak shapes: Eagle Hooked and sharp for tearing meat. Hummingbird Long and thin for sipping nectar. Puffin Strong and deep for crushing shells/fish. 20 Activity: Beak Match Students use the Beak Gallery Reference Sheet to help them complete the Beak Match Worksheet. Circulate and ask: "Why would a bird with a straw-like beak have trouble eating a large nut?" or "How does the hook help the eagle?" 5 Reflection Wrap-Up "If you were a bird, what kind of beak would you want and what would you eat?" Have students share with a partner before closing the lesson. Key Vocabulary Adaptation A body part or behavior that helps an animal survive. Species A specific group of animals that share traits. Hypothesis An educated guess based on what you observe. Endothermic Warm-blooded; able to control body temperature.
Beak Buffet SlidesBeak Buffet How bird shapes help them eat! Mystery Meal Watch & Wonder Embedded media Did you know birds eat meat? Observe the Kookaburra. How does it hold its food without hands? "Look at that bird's beak—how does it hold onto a mouse?" What Makes a Bird a Bird? Feathers 2 Wings 2 Feet Beak Every bird has these, but they all look different! Case Study 1 The Shredder The Eagle has a sharp, hooked beak. "It acts like a knife and fork for tearing meat!" [Eagle Photo Placeholder] Case Study 2 The Straw The Hummingbird has a long, needle-like beak. "It reaches deep into flowers to sip sweet nectar." [Hummingbird Photo Placeholder] Case Study 3 The Nutcracker The Puffin has a thick, deep beak. "It is strong enough to crush shells and hold slippery fish!" [Puffin Photo Placeholder] Your Turn: Beak Match Draw lines to match Explain WHY Look at the shape. Think about the food. If you were a bird... "What kind of beak would you want and what would you eat?" Turn and Talk
Beak Gallery ReferenceBeak Gallery Reference Guide Photo: Bald Eagle Bald Eagle Beak: Strong, sharp hook Used for: Tearing meat Photo: Hummingbird Hummingbird Beak: Long, thin straw Used for: Sipping nectar Photo: Atlantic Puffin Atlantic Puffin Beak: Thick, colorful, deep Used for: Catching fish Photo: Woodpecker Woodpecker Beak: Straight, strong chisel Used for: Drilling for insects Photo: Mallard Duck Mallard Duck Beak: Flat, wide strainer Used for: Filtering pond food Photo: Brown Pelican Brown Pelican Beak: Giant scoop and pouch Used for: Scooping fish & water Look closely at the shape and size. What tool does the beak remind you of? (A straw? A pair of scissors? A shovel?)
Beak Match WorksheetBeak Match! Name: Date: Instructions: Draw a line from the bird's beak to the food you think it eats. Use your "Beak Gallery" to help! The Beaks Hooked Beak (Eagle) Straw Beak (Hummingbird) Chisel Beak (Woodpecker) Flat Beak (Duck) The Food Flower Nectar Pond Food Small Animals Bark Insects Explain Your Thinking Pick one bird from above. How does its beak help it eat its food? The Bird: Bird Brain Reflection If you were a bird, what kind of beak would you want and what would you eat? Draw your beak here I would want a ... Because I would eat ...
