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Comparing Birds with a Venn Diagram.

Birds· Math in Nature· Uncategorized

1 Mar

Do you know the differences between Australian black birds?

Can you tell the differences between an Australian Raven and a Black Butcher Bird?

What about a Chough and a Currawong?

Learning to distinguish similarities and differences is a fundamental math skill called comparison. Practicing this skill, while doing your nature studies will help it not feel like a math lesson at all!

For our nature study lesson this week we compared three Australian black birds, the Black Butcher Bird, the Black Currawong and the White-winged Chough.

The children looked at pictures of each. Found the birds in a field guide and read about the characteristics of each. Then made a Venn Diagram display, showing the similarities and differences of each bird.

So what is a Venn Diagram and how exactly do you make one?

Basically, a Venn Diagram is a way to represent data, using circles to enclose like/similar data. It is a way to sort your information into an easy, readable form.

To make a Venn Diagram first decide what things you are going to compare. You need to decided on things that are alike but different, if your things are TOO different the amount of information is overwhelming. It is easier to find similarities and differences between a magpie and a magpie lark, then to try and compare a magpie to an elephant.

You might decide to compare two or three things. Don’t choose too many or once again the information becomes overwhelming.

I’m going to show you the steps to comparing a Black Butcherbird, Black Currawong and a White-winged Chough.

Step 1- We chose which birds we wanted to compare. There were three, so we drew three overlapping circles. (If you are only comparing two, you only draw two overlapping circles).

Step 2 – We researched the characteristics of each bird. Writing down the things that we noticed were similar or different for each.

Step 3 – We organised our data, writing into the space that it belonged in.

Our go to book for identifying birds is the Simpson and Day Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. It has a great image comparing the sizes of all the black birds of Australia.

You can also find lots of information online. Here are some links to the three birds we compared.

Black Butcher Bird

Black Currawong

White-winged Chough

You can download a copy of our free Venn Template below if you would like to do this activity with your children.

Venn-BirdsDownload

There is a free math game HERE for children to learn about Venn Diagrams. (Please note this web page uses adds, you can access their add free version by subscribing).

To keep learning about Australian birds why not look at lesson 29 in the Handbook to Amy Mack’s A Bush Calendar, all about Butcherbirds?

And don’t forget to use your data collection to work towards earning the Nature Club Badges.

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We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
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Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

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Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

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We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

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2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
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I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/
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