Gifted and Talented GATE G/T Animal Research Project: Bird Adaptations & Climate

This animal research project was designed for gifted and talented (GATE, G/T, high ability) students. They gather evidence then use critical thinking to analyze bird adaptations in different climate zones. Two effective note-taking options encourage fourth or fifth grade students to gather more information and stay organized. A slideshow and print resources help them improve writing.

Open the preview to take a closer look. In addition to conducting animal research, students compare adaptations of related birds living in different climates.

First, each three-person team is assigned to a specific family (e.g., owls). Each member of the group selects a different bird – one must live in an arctic habitat, another in a temperate climate, and the third in the tropics.

Second, each student writes a research paper.

• Mind maps or note sheets guide them in taking notes.
• They organize information using boxes and bullets, an age-appropriate alternative to outlining.
• Then they write multi-paragraph essays.

Third, a slideshow with six key strategies encourages students to improve each paragraph of their essays.

• Use precise verbs.
• Omit it is, it’s, and it has.
• Use precise nouns.
• Vary word choice.
• Sequence sentences logically.
• Add transitions.

Fourth, students publish their writing.

As a grand finale to the project, 4th or 5th grade students meet with their groups to share information about related birds living in three different climates. They record it on a table. Using a Venn diagram, they identify similarities and differences. This critical thinking exercise challenges all students – even gifted and talented, or GATE.

Optional: Students agree on a format for sharing their findings and create a product (poster, slide show, multiple-paragraph essay, speech, song, skit, etc.)

You can differentiate the animal research project in three ways:

• Breadth of research – All 4th or 5th grade students explore general animal appearance and habitat, beak, and feet. Students who acquire facts, add observations, and make inferences more rapidly/thoroughly may also investigate wings, eggs and babies, nest, migration, communication, and other adaptations.
• Sophistication of informative essay – All students will write multiple-paragraph informative essays. Student demonstrating talent in writing may work on two new skills: adding transition sentences and using analogies to deepen audience understanding.
• Product for compare/contrast activity – Choice of product for sharing similarities and differences provides a different kind of differentiation. Here, students collaborate to select a format that works with their learning styles.

Files include everything you need for the project:

• Lesson plans
• Group assignment sheets
• 10 mind maps
• 7 note card sheets
• Boxes and bullets (modified outlines)
• Works cited
• Slideshow and pages to improve writing
• Rubric
• Comparison table
• Venn diagram

Resources can be used in a variety of ways.

• Differentiated whole-class research
• G/T project
• Early finishers
• Homeschool
• Summer school

Two options are included: printable and digital.

• PDF
• Easel Activities

Your 4th and 5th grade students will love it – and you will too!

• This classroom-tested resource includes everything you need for a successful research project. It was originally created for a general education class with a high ability cluster.
• Differentiation lets you customize research, providing a comfortable fit for students at different levels: high ability, average, and emerging.
• Kids get to select an animal, as well as work in groups and independently.
• Activities address the intent of your standards. For example, if you teach CCSS W.4.8 or W.5.8, your students will gather information from print and digital sources, take notes, categorize information, and provide a list of sources.

Looking for more? The bird adaptations bundle also includes a beak lab and jigsaw reading project.

Enjoy teaching!

Brenda Kovich