# data[].attributes.headline
Exploring our native animals through dance

# data[].attributes.subject
Exploring our native animals through dance

# data[].attributes.body
Provides students the opportunity to use dance to explore and communicate their knowledge, ideas and feelings about threatened or extinct native birds and animals in Aotearoa New Zealand.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Exploring our native animals through dance

# data[].attributes.body
This resource is a partial replication of Building Science Concepts Book 3 Birds: Structure, Function, and Adaptation. The background information on this page, combined with the information in the interactive, covers the science notes provided in the original BSC book. The overarching science concepts (big ideas) and how they may be scaffolded in sequence are illustrated in the interactive below.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Explore the science concepts that underpin knowledge and understanding about birds and their structure, function and adaptations. The New Zealand Ministry of Education’s Building Science Concepts (BSC…

# data[].attributes.body
Includes - scavenger hunt sheets for birds - nice pictures!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Kids Greening Taupō | Learning Through Nature

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Manu/Birds of Aotearoa — Kids Greening Taupō | Learning Through Nature

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Native and Introduced Bird Scavenger Hunts Bird Call Identification Five Minute Bird Count What would NZ be like without Birds? Shadow Puppets- How the Kiwi Lost its Wings

# data[].attributes.headline
Bring back the bird song - Connected 2017 Level 2 - Taking Action

# data[].attributes.subject
Bring back the bird song - Connected 2017 Level 2 - Taking Action

# data[].attributes.body
For years, introduced predators have been killing birds along the Kepler Track in Fiordland. Students in the Kids Restore the Kepler project are working with the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland Conservation Trust to reduce the number of predators living in the area. Their mission: to bring birdsong back to the Kepler.

# data[].attributes.headline
New Zealand Birds - a ready to read book and sound track.

# data[].attributes.subject
New Zealand Birds - a ready to read book and sound track.

# data[].attributes.body
It has names and the related calls. Downloadable teaching notes and actual book.

Ready to Read Colour Wheel

Non-fiction, Shared texts

Pīwakawaka Kererū Kārearea Kea Tūī Ruru Kiwi Takahē

# data[].attributes.headline
Bird of the Year - Junior Journal 59 Level 2 2019  Level 3 NF

# data[].attributes.subject
Bird of the Year - Junior Journal 59 Level 2 2019  Level 3 NF

# data[].attributes.body
In this interview, Megan Hubscher of Forest & Bird talks to Iona McNaughton about the Bird of the Year competition – why it started and how it helps keep New Zealand native birds safe. Students can read about some of the past winners of the competition in an accompanying article, “And the Winner Is ...”

# data[].attributes.headline
Relief modelling birds in dough - unit for teachers

# data[].attributes.subject
Relief modelling birds in dough - unit for teachers

# data[].attributes.body
Talks about sketching leading to a mural - so might have some useful stuff.

# data[].attributes.body
Use this - make a copy and develop your own. Get bird pictures from pg. 8 in Experiencing Birds in your Green Space - DOC resource.

# data[].attributes.headline
Garden Bird Survey   - Activities - videos - resources.

# data[].attributes.subject
Garden Bird Survey   - Activities - videos - resources.

# data[].attributes.body
Use these templates and resources at any time of the year. Opportunity for citizen science during June / July.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Preparation

Before the survey, encourage children to learn to identify the different birds they see. Children could also make their own identification guides.

How long will it take?

The survey lasts one hour. If one hour is too long for your class period, it can be split into two half-hour spells, or three 20-minute spells, or four quarter-hour spells.

Children can work together in small groups. Different roles within the group can include a bird spotter, bird counter, bird identifier and results recorder.

Where to do the survey

Birds can be counted from inside or outside the classroom. Inside is like being in a bird hide; the birds can't see you and continue to behave naturally. The children can stand or sit at a desk near a window, perhaps with drink bottles and something to eat, and watch birds through the window.

If outside, they need to be careful not to frighten birds away from where they are watching. They could sit on a bench or chairs. If the school has a bird feeder or water bath, children may like to watch the area of school ground that includes that feature because it is likely to have more birds than elsewhere in the school. The children don't have to be able to see the whole school ground, just part of it.

The survey can be done at home, either individually, or with family or friends.

What to record

The highest number of each species seen at one time during a one hour observation period is recorded. For example, they might see blackbirds four times during the hour; first they might see 3 birds, then 2, then 3 again, and finally just 1. In this case, they report 3 blackbirds because that was the greatest number seen at any one time. They shouldn't add the numbers up.

Where to send results

The online results form is accessed online. Data entry opens at the start of the survey.

Please note: If children participate as a group (e.g. as part of a school class) they enter only one set of data for the whole group (i.e. one set of data for each one‑hour survey). We don't want separate entries from 30 children all seeing the same blackbird! However, children may do surveys at more than one location (e.g. at school and at home), in which case they enter results separately for each location.

Thank you for helping make our birds count!

We would be grateful for teacher feedback and any experiences you'd like to share, including photos. Join the conversation on social media and see what others are up to, check out our community page, or contact us directly

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Resources for children & teachers | NZ Garden Bird Survey

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Everything you need to get your students engaged in science and nature, and become citizen scientists for the day.

# data[].attributes.headline
Birds - Activities and info from Kids Greening Taupo

# data[].attributes.subject
Birds - Activities and info from Kids Greening Taupo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Kids Greening Taupō | Learning Through Nature

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Native Birds — Kids Greening Taupō | Learning Through Nature

# data[].attributes.headline
Kakariki Games - I have class set and can teach it.

# data[].attributes.subject
Kakariki Games - I have class set and can teach it.

# data[].attributes.body
Cloak of Protection -a fun strategic game about New Zealand Birds and the predators who are creating problems for them. Y3-Adult. Full notes about all of the predators and the birds.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Playing our way

Kia Ora. Here we are, on islands like no others. Tips of the (mostly) submerged continent of Zealandia, in the landscape of Aotearoa / New Zealand.

From here, come my environmental games. Where we're sometimes co-operating, sometimes competing, yet always in good heart.

I hope you'll enjoy being gameful in our rich natural world too. Being kakariki / green, and playing our way!

Ngā mihi. JiL Hemming. Game Designer

AVAILABLE at all LEVELS. FOR AS LONG AS THE COURIER WILL DELIVER

To save our birds, you need to trade, draw & play to create a feather cloak of 15 cards, in one bird realm: forest, settlement, sea, or extinct.

But BEWARE! Each card sports some predators - will they threaten your realm?

ALL MADE IN AOTEAROA/NZ (game, illustration, design, print)
FREE POST in NZ

Best Sellers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kia Ora. Here we are, on islands like no others. Tips of the (mostly) submerged continent of Zealandia, in the landscape of Aotearoa / New Zealand. From here, come my environmental games. Where we're sometimes co-operating, sometimes competing, yet always in good heart. I hope you'll enjoy being gameful in our rich natural world too.

# data[].attributes.headline
E koekoe te tui, e ketekete te kaka, e kutu te kereru.

# data[].attributes.subject
E koekoe te tui, e ketekete te kaka, e kutu te kereru.

# data[].attributes.body
The tui sing, the kaka chatters, the wood pigeon coos.
(A proverb about diversity.)

# data[].attributes.headline
Ngā Manu - Birds - Rangitaane O Wairarapa resource

# data[].attributes.subject
Ngā Manu - Birds - Rangitaane O Wairarapa resource

# data[].attributes.body
Rangitaane booklet - matching Māori names to beautiful photos of our native birds.

# data[].attributes.headline
Atuatanga - Rangitaane Education Resources

# data[].attributes.subject
Atuatanga - Rangitaane Education Resources

# data[].attributes.body
Stories of places - people - animals. Beautiful booklets about the natural world and concepts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It is said that the further we move away from Papatūānuku the worse off we become. The lives of many people who have been disconnected from the land proves this to be correct.

This resource is designed to provide us with opportunities to become more grounded, to get closer to Papatuanuku.
As babies we start off with an amazing awareness of what is around us but over time our lifestyles, society and those that influence our thinking take our bodies, spirit and minds away from nature.

Atuatanga gives us a way of recapturing what is hardwired in each one of us as a species but has been tucked away sleeping.
Becoming grounded does not mean that we have to abandon anything else it just creates balance and a realisation that we humans are not the centre of the world and in reality we need the earth but she does not need us.

Māori culture emerged from interactions with the atua so this resource could be used as a foundation from which to branch off into learning te reo, history or many other subjects that are important to the culture.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It is said that the further we move away from Papatūānuku the worse off we become. The lives of many people who have been disconnected from the land proves this to be correct. This resource is designed to provide us with opportunities to become more grounded, to get closer to Papatuanuku.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rangitāne o Wairarapa Education Curriculum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The main purpose of Iti Kahurangi is to provide learners with information and experiences drawn from the culture of Rangitāne o Wairarapa. The curriculum is intended to help add to ...

# data[].attributes.headline
Info on NZ Birds - Search for the birds you want to study.

# data[].attributes.subject
Info on NZ Birds - Search for the birds you want to study.

# data[].attributes.body
From DOC website

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
New Zealand is known as the seabird capital of the world and is also home to a number of forest birds that live nowhere else on Earth.

# data[].attributes.body
Kākāpō are a taonga species to Ngāi Tahu, the principal Māori iwi of southern New Zealand. These nocturnal, flightless parrots are critically endangered and among the world’s most unique birds.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The kākāpō is a nocturnal, flightless parrot. And its strangeness doesn't end there. It's critically endangered and one of New Zealand's unique treasures.

# data[].attributes.body
Curriculum document for Wairarapa teachers to support students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

# data[].attributes.headline
Meet the Locals - Search the birds you want to study.

# data[].attributes.subject
Meet the Locals - Search the birds you want to study.

# data[].attributes.body
DOC - 5 min videos on a huge range of topics.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Conserving New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage for all to enjoy now and in the future.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Steve Hathaway, Liz Busch, Jani Alexander, Reuben Pollock, Axel Busch

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Young Ocean Explorers has been on a mission since 2012 to inspire kids to love our ocean - through entertaining education. We want to capture children's imaginations through great storytelling, bringing the beauty, awe and fascination of the ocean and its inhabitants alive.

# data[].attributes.headline
Te Ara - NZ Encyclopedia -Search for the birds you want to study.

# data[].attributes.subject
Te Ara - NZ Encyclopedia -Search for the birds you want to study.

# data[].attributes.body
Natural - historical - cultural information and images.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A land of birds | Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many of New Zealand’s diverse species have ancient origins, and birdwatchers are fascinated by their unusual features – some species are ground dwellers, or can scarcely fly. Birds fill many of the niches occupied by mammals in other countries.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Inquiry unit | Outdoor activities | Levels: 1-4: Use this resource to experience birds in your school grounds or another local green space.

# data[].attributes.headline
Garden Bird Survey  - Science Learning Hub

# data[].attributes.subject
Garden Bird Survey  - Science Learning Hub

# data[].attributes.body
Opportunity for citizen science - lots of resources for schools.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This New Zealand-based citizen science project aims to collect data about the types and numbers of common garden birds in our own backyard. This is done once annually during a particular window of time (29 June to 7 July 2019) and the results contribute to New Zealand's knowledge and monitoring of garden bird species and the health of the environment we live in.

Participation in the project requires you to be able to identify types of birds, with plenty of resources to support this. Opportunities for discussions around critiquing evidence (How many birds have we seen?, How do we know that we didn't count one bird twice?) are huge, as is the potential for practising interpreting data from previous years' surveys.
URL: www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/birds/garden-bird-surveys
Reach: Regional, national

Nature of science focus: Online citizen science (OCS) projects can be used to develop any of the Nature of Science (NoS) substrands. What is important is to identify aspects of NoS that your students need to be better at or understand more fully. Then frame your unit to be very clear about these things when you do them.

Science capability focus: Gather and interpret data, Critique evidence, Interpret representations
Some suggested science concepts:
Science focus: Ecology - bird identification and species distribution

Birds can be identified by their external features.

Birds have adaptive features - structural (beaks, feet) or behavioural (calls, migration) - that enable them to survive.

Each bird species can be classified as being native, endemic, introduced, and/or endangered.

Bird species are adapted to live in their particular habitats.

Different birds live in different habitats. For example, introduced birds are more common in our towns than native species - their adaptations better enable them to live in close contact with people and mammalian predators.

Changes in habitat can affect the survival of living organisms in an area, and the relationships between them.

Populations are living organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time.

Some examples of learning outcomes:
Many concepts could be learned - focusing on a few can often be more powerful. Develop your learning outcomes and success criteria from these concepts as well as the Nature of Science strand and the science capabilities.

Students can:

collect bird observations independently

discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the data collection method

identify local birds by their external features

compare adaptive features and explain their role in a bird's survival.

About Garden Bird Survey

The NZ Garden Bird Survey is a national project helping our scientists monitor bird populations in gardens, parks and schools over time. Students can learn about birds in their area and participate in a bird count during the national week of data collection. Resources are provided online to assist with this.

Ko te manu i kai ana i te miro nōna te ngahere,
ko te manu i kai ana i te mātauranga nōna te ao.

The bird that consumes the miro berry owns the forest,
the bird that consumes knowledge owns the world.
Māori proverb

The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey has been running since 2007, providing extensive data to look back through and consider. While you can't access your own data or compare data between schools (locally or nationally), this is a direction Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research would like to take the website in the future. In the meantime, there are fabulously displayed results available for rich class discussions and developing the science capability 'Interpret representations'.

Several resources are provided to support teachers throughout the survey, such as a series of short videos including a 2-minute clip likening gardens to layer cakes and showing that different birds can be found in different layers depending on what they like to eat. Discussions around scale and the comparative size and weight of birds is supported by another short video introducing the Chocolate Fish Index. A LEARNZ Virtual Field Trip and DOC's 'experiencing birds in green spaces' resource about the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey are also available. There are also online quizzes for testing your bird identification skills and knowledge including Māori bird names.

Through the website, it is possible to connect with a real scientist, and there are opportunities to share your work, findings and questions through social media.

Nature of science

Related content

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This New Zealand-based citizen science project aims to collect data about the types and numbers of common garden birds in our own backyard. This is done once annually during a particular window of time (29 June to 7 July 2019) and the results contribute to New Zealand's knowledge and monitoring of garden bird species and the health of the environment we live in.

# data[].attributes.headline
Fun things to make - colouring / masks / 3D models of birds etc

# data[].attributes.subject
Fun things to make - colouring / masks / 3D models of birds etc

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Do some colouring in, make 3D birds, create your own face masks or make a kaleidocycle.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Download the resource

Junior primary resource (Years 1-4) (PDF, 3,864K)

Senior primary resource (Years 5-8) (PDF, 5,858K)

Drawing and coding with whio (PDF, 1,816K)

Create a whio algorithm (PDF, 2,365K)

Animation and stop motion with whio (PDF, 2,078K)

Supporting material

Powerpoint presentations:

Whio/blue duck (PPTX, 4,816K)

Whio and people (PPTX, 9,272K)

Whio habitats (PPTX, 4,195K)

Whio special features (PPTX, 4,457K)

Whio Mountain book by Mike Tapp (Ranger Mike) (PDF, 4,296K)

Posters:

Fun activities

Free teacher PD webinars

Recorded webinars are available to view for free and at any time on the Science Learning Hub website. These four webinars use the Whio Forever resource to model a process of student inquiry into conservation:

Special thanks to the Science Learning Hub for partnering with us to deliver these fantastic webinars!

Learning objectives of this resource

By the end of their learning inquiry, students will have a multi-faceted, deep understanding of whio, beyond just facts. They will learn about:

whio ecology - where they live, what they eat, their adaptations, and how they stay alive

how people are involved with whio

whio challenges - whio threats and how people contribute to these

visiting whio - where to see whio and what we can learn by observing them

how they can act to solve an issue for whio in their community

other information depending on where their inquiry leads.

Feedback

Teachers can share their ideas, experiences and resources about whio with this discussion group on The Pond.

Learning levels

Topics

Curriculum learning areas

Science

Social science

Education for sustainability

English

Maths and statistics

The Arts

Geography

Health and PE

Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Take your students on an amazing learning journey, discovering why the whio/blue duck is so important to New Zealand.

# data[].attributes.headline
Observing a Royal Albatross - DOC education resource.

# data[].attributes.subject
Observing a Royal Albatross - DOC education resource.

# data[].attributes.body
Levels 1-4

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Classroom activity | Levels: 1-4: Use these to support student viewing the albatross 'Royal cam'.

# data[].attributes.headline
Keep your cat inside - Connected 2013 level 4 - Are You Sure?

# data[].attributes.subject
Keep your cat inside - Connected 2013 level 4 - Are You Sure?

# data[].attributes.body
We had a cat once that killed rats, mice, a stoat, skinks, wētā, and some birds. I know, because I saw them dying, and I saw them dead. Perhaps pet cats should be kept inside.