RIC-6277 I can dance the Barramundi

MAGPIE
Preparation
• Collect pictures of magpies.
Presentation
• Share and discuss the magpie pictures with
the class.
• Say the rhyme with the actions for the class.
• Share the following information with the
class:
Magpies live in tall trees in the bush and in
parks and suburbs. They have striking black
and white feathers and they love to sing
together, especially in the early morning.
This dawn carolling also confirms their
territory.
Magpies build their nests in forked branches
of tall trees, more than 15 metres above
the ground. Their nests are large and bowl-
Additional activities/information
• Read the recounts below to the class.
MARIE’S MAGPIE NEWS – Year 1
We went to a special bush place for a picnic and
magpies swooped on us. Dad said they were looking
after their babies in the nest so we packed up and
had a picnic at Nanna’s.
• What can we do to help people understand
about magpies’ behaviour? Discuss.
MAGPIE STORY by Angela, Year 2
I am in Year 2 and every day our teacher puts our
lunch orders and money in a bag that goes into a
big plastic basket and we take turns taking the
shaped and lined with grass, bark, hair, fur
and wool. The nests can be built with wire–
even barbed wire is used in the construction.
Nesting begins in July. Instead of defending
their nests in pairs, magpies form groups
of three to 20 individuals to patrol their
territory. They live permanently in their
particular area and are very aggressive and
swoop at anyone intruding too close to their
nests.
• Say the rhyme with the actions again for the
class.
• The class claps the beat while saying the
rhyme.
• The class says the rhyme with the actions.
basket to the canteen. I went with Thomas and
magpies dived on us. We tried to run but they kept
diving and clicking their beaks. We put the basket
over our heads. It was hard to hold up because
we had the bag too. We could see the magpies
through the holes in the basket. Then we got to the
canteen and we were safe.
©R.I.C. Publications
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• If there are magpies nesting in trees
near YOUR school, what can the school
community do to help stop people being
swooped by magpies? Discuss.
I can dance the barramundi
32 R.I.C. Publications ® www.ricgroup.com.au
ISBN 978-1-74126-424-1