DISCUSS: How are these beaks different?
A bird’s beak is like a tool that helps the bird eat. What kinds of tools would you use if you wanted to:
Can you think of a bird beak that works like these tools?
If you’re stumped, advance to the next slide to see our ideas.
At Mystery Science, we use nutcrackers for cracking nuts. A parrot’s beak is short and strong, and it works like a nut cracker.
A spoon is good for scooping up soggy cereal. It works like a duck’s broad bill.
A straw helps you sip soda from the bottom of a tall glass, just like the hummingbird’s beak lets that bird sip the sweet juice called nectar from the bottom of a flower.
A fork can stab a slippery fish, just like the pointy beak of an egret.
Bird Beaks worksheet | 30 copies |
Black Beans (Dried)
Any dried beans will work. If you must avoid food, substitute large beads.
|
Details
2 pounds
|
Dixie Cups (3 oz)
Each student will need 2 cups. We suggest having a few extras on-hand.
|
Details
60 cups
|
Elbow Macaroni
If you must avoid food, substitute straws cut into pieces that are about ½” long.
|
Details
2 pounds
|
Masking Tape
|
96 feet |
Paper Cups (8 oz)
|
16 cups |
Plastic Straws (Not Bendable)
Each student needs 1 straw. We suggest having a few extras on-hand.
|
Details
30 straws
|
We suggest students work in groups of four. Homeschool students can work on their own.
This activity works best on a low pile carpet. If your classroom has a smooth floor (such as linoleum), you’ll need a bath towel to serve as the work area for each group of 4 students.
Each student will need a “pointy beak” and a “duck beak” to experiment with.
Here’s how to make a “pointy beak”:
Here’s how to make a “duck beak”:
Mark off a test area for each group of four students.
For each group, you’ll need to prepare two cups. One filled with model “bird food” and the other filled with model “rocks.”
At the start of the activity, each student needs a worksheet, “pointy beak,” “duck beak,” and “stomach cup.” Each group also needs a cup of “bird food.”
Each group will need a cup of “rocks” later in the activity. You may want to organize or separate supplies for easier classroom distribution.
Locked
6:10
Why is the sky blue?
Locked
4:41
Why do we call them doughnuts?
Locked
5:16
Could a turtle live outside its shell?