The Biggest and Smallest Birds in the World

Social Studies: geography

Science: animals, habitats

compare and contrast, text features, vocabulary, drawing conclusions, point of view, summarizing, cause and effect, main idea, figurative language, author’s craft, expressing an opinion, explanatory writing

Preview Text Features/ Set a Purpose for Reading (15 minutes)

• Look at page 19 with the class. Point out the labels “Paired Texts” and “One topic, two stories.” Have a volunteer read aloud the title and subtitle on page 19 and the titles on pages 20 and 21. Then ask students to identify the topic of both stories. (The topics are: the stories of the biggest and smallest birds in the world, the ostrich and the bee hummingbird)

• Read the first section title on page 20 with students. Have volunteers read the remaining section titles on the page. What is the same about all the section titles? (They are all questions.) Explain that students will find out the answer to each question by reading the story.

• Have students look at the photo of the ostrich and predict what its secret power might be.

• Direct students to the globe on page 20 and read aloud the label “savannas.” Explain that this is the area where ostriches roam in Africa. Students can see a photograph of this flat, grassy land on this website.

• Direct students to the photo of the bee hummingbird on page 21. Read the caption. Explain that these tiny birds are about as long as a thumb. Ask students to compare the length of their thumbs with the bird in the photo.

• Have volunteers read aloud the section titles on page 21. Ask them to identify the titles that are the same in both stories. Which section title is different? 

• Direct students to the globe on page 21 and read aloud the label “Cuba.” Explain that this is the country where bee hummingbirds are born. Have them identify the United States and South America on the globe.

• Call on volunteers to read aloud the Think and Read box and the Think and Write box. As students read both articles, remind them to look for details that explain how the ostrich and the bee hummingbird are alike and different.

Preview Vocabulary (15 minutes)

• We have highlighted in bold five words that may be challenging and defined them on the page. Preview these terms by projecting or distributing our Vocabulary Skill Builder (available in your Resources tab) and completing it as a class. You may also play our Vocabulary Slideshow, where images help students with comprehension.

• Highlighted terms: savannas, predators, adapted, hatched, flit

Reading and Unpacking the Text

• First read: Students should read each article one time for general comprehension. 

• Second Read: Project, distribute, or assign the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions (available in your Resources tab) to the class. Preview them together. Ask students to read the articles again and answer the questions as a class or in pairs. (Alternatively, assign all or part of the Learning Journey Slideshow, which contains the questions—along with other activities from this lesson plan and a link to the stories.)

Close-Reading Questions (30 minutes)

1. Read the first section of “Ostrich.” Look at the photos and captions. Why do you think ostrich eggs are so large and heavy? (text features/drawing conclusions) The eggs are large and heavy because the ostrich is a big bird that grows to be 9 feet tall and can weigh as much as 350 pounds.
2. Who is the speaker in this section? What is the speaker responding to? (point of view) An ostrich is speaking in this section. It is answering the question “Where were you born?”
3. Read “Is It True That You Can’t Fly?” Why is the speed of the ostrich so useful to the bird? (summarizing) Because the ostrich can run 40 miles an hour, it doesn’t need to fly to get away from danger. Its great speed helps the ostrich escape from its enemies.
4. Read “What Do You Eat?” How have ostriches adapted to living in dry areas? (cause and effect) Ostriches don’t need a lot to drink because they get their water from plants.
5. Read “Do You Have a Secret Power?” Why is the ostrich’s secret power so important? (main idea) The bird’s long, flexible neck helps it spot danger that is far away. Its powerful, deadly kick protects it from enemies, like lions.
6. Read the first section of “Bee Hummingbird.” How does the size of the bee hummingbird compare with the size of the ostrich? (compare and contrast) The bee hummingbird is born in a tiny nest and hatches from an egg the size of a pea. It grows to be about as long as a person’s thumb. An ostrich hatches in a large nest from an egg that is bigger than a grapefruit. It can grow to be 9 feet tall.
7. Read “How Fast Can You Fly?” Why does the author describe the bee hummingbird as a “tiny flying machine”? (figurative language) Although the bird is very small, it flies through the air at 30 miles an hour. Its wings beat 80 times per second. These details show that the bee hummingbird is a very impressive flyer!
8. Read “Do You Have a Secret Power?” How does a bee hummingbird’s secret power help plants grow? (summarizing) Bee hummingbirds carry pollen that sticks to their beaks when they fly from plant to plant. This pollen lets plants make seeds to grow new plants.

Critical-Thinking Question (10 minutes)

1. What did Henry Heinz and the French brothers do to the recipes of ketchup and mustard to help the condiments become popular in America? (synthesizing) Heinz and the French brothers changed the recipes for ketchup and mustard. Both condiments became very popular in America after the taste of each was improved. Henry Heinz used fewer chemicals and added vinegar, sugar, and spices to give ketchup a sweet, rich taste. The French brothers created a new recipe that made mustard a little sweeter and less mild.
2. If you had been at the fair where the French brothers offered their new type of mustard, do you think you would have tried it? Why or why not? (text to self) Answers will vary.

Featured Skill: Compare and Contrast

• Distribute our Compare and Contrast Skill Builder (available in your Resources tab) and have students complete it in class or for homework.  

• Discuss the writing assignment in the Think and Write box. Remind students to include details from both articles when writing their paragraphs.

• Our new Learning Journey Slideshow (available in your Resources tab) is designed to make your life easier. Have students move through at their own pace or assign smaller chunks for different days. You can also customize the slideshow to your liking.
  

• Hold a whole-class or small-group discussion of the close-reading and critical-thinking questions. As in your physical classroom, establish rules for discussion and appropriate ways to respond to one another. You might have students use a “raise hand” emoji in your virtual classroom or ask students to respond to questions in the chat feature.