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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-EXPERIMENT STATION 
LESSON PLANS IN AGRICULTURAL 
NATURE STUDY 
By MISS KHALULA L. BEID 
Graduate Student in Agricultural Education, University of California 
[Some of the plans are given here in the hope that they will prove 
helpful to teachers in the organization and presentation of material.] 
I. First Grade 
The Brewer Blackbird. 
Lesson given during plowing season. 
Aims. (1) To awaken interest in birds. 
(2) To learn to see. 
(3) To learn to listen. 
(4) To learn the bird law and the reason for the same. 
Method of Procedure. 
Did you ever go out into the field and watch your father 
plow ? If so, did you ever notice any birds following the plow ? 
What was the color of the most common bird there? Do you 
know its name? These are blackbirds. We are going to watch 
these birds and see what we can find out about them. In a 
few days I am going to ask you some questions about them. 
What is the color of the blackbird’s eyes. (White.) 
Does he walk or hop ? (Walks.) 
Where did you see these birds besides in the field where 
your father was plowing? 
Does the blackbird sing? If not, what note does it make? 
See if the children can imitate the note. 
Can you tell what these birds eat? Do they always eat the 
same things? (Usually worms, grasshoppers, black beetles, 
white grubs, wire worms, weed seeds, and some grain.) 
Do they eat Or destroy more grain than destructive insects 
and weeds? (No.) 
Do you think we should be allowed to destroy these birds? 
If not, why ? 
We have a state law that protects these birds and all other 
birds that aid the farmers. Tell or read the law to the class. 
