World of Birds Contract Unit

I understand that I must complete all work contracted for by Dec. 20 in order to receive the grade I have chosen.
I also understand that all work must be NEAT and completed to the BEST of my ability for it to be excepted as part of this contract.

To receive an A I must complete 13 projects - 6 of these must be from group A.

To receive a B I must complete 10 projects - 5 of these must be from group A.

To receive a C I must complete 7 projects - 4 of these must be from group A.

(Fine Print)
I also understand that by signing this agreement I agree to complete and do all of the following:

• complete a 1 page report on TB related to birds

• 2 art projects
  1. Zoo quilting project
  2. A bird drawing which will also be counted as 2 art grades due to its difficulty.

• Periodic quizes on given material and activities done in class (Max. of 6 quizes)

• Participate in our senior citizens activities.

• Use class time efficiently to complete projects and class activities. (I understand that wasting time or using class time to complete projects not related to this contract will result in a 0 each time it happens. These 0's will have a strong impact on my final quarter grade.)

I further understand that the grades on each project and the resulting final grade received on this contract will count as 1/2 of my 2nd quarter grade.

• All projects must be completed by January 4. NO late work will be excepted. Any projects not in by this date will result in 0's.

• all work must be neat and contain a proper heading.
  • written work must have a standard school heading, project, and group number.
  • All art and craft projects must have your name, project, and group number (can be on back, or on front bottom right-hand corner).

• All written work must be in blue or black ink and on wide rule paper. (Exception: if you choose to type it by hand or on a computer.)

• For reports 1 page equals one side of a wide rule sheet of paper (from line 4 to within 3 lines of the bottom of the page.)

• Art work msut be neat and show creativity.

• Plagerism is not allowed. NO work may be copied from a book word for word (not even if you rearrange the sentence.)

  NOTE: If you wish to quote someone because they have stated something quite well, you must put it in quotes (" ") and follow with your source and page #. Please remember, quotes are a nice addition of direct information but they may not make up the bulk of your paper

• Keep in mind the following sources of information:
  • milw. public libraries especially "Tippy" they are prepared and awaiting your arrival to work on your bird contract. (Check reference area 598.2 and the shelved books carrying similar #'s.)

  • Milw. County ZOO (Education Dept.)

  • Milw. County Museum.

  • Wher Nature Center

  • DNR

  • National Wildlife Foundation

• As a rule of thumb we will be having Mondays and Tuesdays as Quiet/independent work time. Wednesdays and Fridays will be project days and presentation days. Please remember this and bring work to class accordingly, Keeping work which is art related or crafty for later in the week, reports and written assignments for earlier in the week.

• All projects requiring you to present them to the class must be prepared and turned in for approval Dec. 1 and presented by Dec. 13. No projects will be allowed to be presented the final week.

• Your contract and contract folder must be brought to class every day.

• You will not need to bring your science book or notebook to class but you will need the following:
  • Contract
  • Contract folder (Not your science folder)
  • Loose leaf (Wide rule)
  • Plain white paper (Drawing or construction paper)
  • Writing and drawing materials (Pen, Pencils, Art Pencils, Coloring utensils)
  • Resource books and materials

Please follow this simple check list before handing in any assignments.

1. Check for name, title, and proper heading.

2. Check to see it is on proper paper.

3. Read over requirements for your specific project and check your project to be sure it meets all requirements.

4. Is your project done neatly?

5. Have you had at least 1 adult proof it for spelling and grammer errors?

6. Is your project of the proper length and/or size?

7. Have you placed it in the proper place in the file so it will not get lost? (For art related projects there will be a special place on the shelf.)

1. select a continent and then make a collage of birds native to that continent.

2. 2 page report on your "quilted" bird. The report must include the following: common name, scientific name, description (or cover picture), habitat, region of the world it can be found in (country, continent, etc.), and unique behaviors (mating rituals, care of offspring, nesting, and migration patterns) if any.

3. 2 page report on an endangered bird. Requirements are the same as project 2 above.

4. 2 page report on migration patterns of North American water fowl. You must touch on each of the following: ducks, geese, elders, and swans. Include a map showing the migration track of one breed from each species listed above.

5. 2 page report on any of the following adaptations: Bills (8 different types), Wings (3 different types).
   Requirements: Define adaptation, give a brief descrition of (Bill, Wing, Tail, or Foot) and an example of a bird which has adapted each trait. Draw a picture of the adaptation.
   Example

   ground feeding bill.

6. Choose 5 of the 21 orders (large groups) of birds found in North America and complete the following for each and compile them into book form with cover page and index. Give a brief description of the habitat, food and unusual facts pertaining to each order. Note: Excellent source: Golden Birds of North America. List the minor groups which are part of this order usually 3-7 members, choose one of these lesser groups or species, draw a picture of it and make a map showing its range.

7. 2 page report on Birds of Prey including 1 page which focuses on one species listing its name, scientific name, range, habitat, prey, and 3 other facts of your choice. Page 1 should contain a variety of the following: List of species classified as birds of prey, facts about their structure (wing type, bill, feet, tail), general information on prey, habitat, and range.

8. Bird ID book. Choose 10 birds: draw and color pictures of each (both male and female if there is a difference) one species per page include its name and scientific name and be able to give their common name on sight. Include a cover page and content page. Note: you may have only one bird you presently know.

9. Write a 3 page story from a birds point of view. Choose a bird and read up on it so you know what "you" would be eating, where "you" would be living and so on. Remember Birds DO NOT "talk" to each other. You are writing from a bird's point of view, you are thinking as a bird.

10. Make a video of a bird which regularly visits your yard or local park. Requirements: Narrate the video if possible. Play the part of a documentary on the species giving information on its range, habitat, mating, and feeding habits. Video length should be 10-15 min. in length.

11. Create a snap shot collection of a bird watching excursion to one of our larger parks. Include hints on bird watching and ID all birds pictured and locations visited. Title each picture. (20 pictures min.)

12. Write a series of 5-7 poems on birds. Combine them to make a poetry book with cover and content page.

13. Write a 2 page report on one environmental issue affecting at least one species of birds.

14. Make a scrap book of news and magazine articles wich involve birds. (minimum of 20 articles)

15. Write a 2 page report on the differences between a penguin and a flight birds, including differences in their wings, bones, feeding habits, and nesting.

16. 2 page report on flamingoes and why their feathers are pink and how their color changes from birth to maturity.

17. Student choice: Must have requirements listed and teachers ok -signature-.

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1. Build a song bird house

2. Build a scaled down version of a barn owl box.

3. Build a bird feeder.

4. Make a collage of birds filling the entire page.

5. Make a paper mache model of a bird paint it and make a 3x5 card containing its common name, scientific name, habitat range, and food.

6. Make 3 small clay models of some birds use a 3x5 card for each to ID each bird. Models should be 3D and 4 to 8 inches tall.

7. Make a paper mobile of birds choosing a theme such as birds of prey or song birds. Mobiles should have no less than 8 birds and resemble this example:

8. Make a children's guide to bird watching. 10 pages minimum.

9. Make a children's bird ID book. Include 15-20 birds, their names, picture maps of their range, habitat, and food.

10. Make a map of the US showing all 50 states. Draw in 25 of the 50 state birds and write in the names of the other 25 birds.

11. Boil a chicken and dry the bones. Next use a hot gule gun or super glue to put the skeleton back together. Label at least 10 of the bones.

12. Write a 3 page story beginning with: "I woke up this morning to find myself sitting on the curtain rod watching as my mother looked frantically around my room for me . . . . ."
    or
    "This evening I went to feed my parrot and he began to talk; I mean really carry on a conversation . . . . ."

13. Choose a video on birds. Write up a 20 question WS on it. Present the video with introduction and correct the completed WS's.

It is once again time for the science students to receive their contract unit.

This year the 7th grade has been selected to participate in the Milwaukee County Zoo's quilting project. Accordingly I have developed this unit around the Zoo's theme of "The World of Birds."

Each Student is to read over and discuss with his/her parent their individual contract: This will assue the projects the student has selected will be completed. Some projects may require parental supervision as well as special supplies. The student may need parental aid on some tasks, however the bulk of the assignment must be completed by the student. The completion of this contract unit will prove to be of great value in developing the student's self confidence and pride.

Thank you for your support and extra help that will make science education fun and interesting.

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Parent Signature