Parent and Child Chickens

In this phenomenon, we are observing how baby chickens do not look the same as their parents. All chickens have similar physical characteristics, but they do not look the same. We can then apply what we notice about chickens to other plants, animals, and even ourselves. 

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

• What do you notice about the chickens?
• What do all the chickens have in common?
• How do the parents and baby chickens look similar and different?

Classroom Suggestions

• Give students a chance to explain what they already know about chickens.
• Read a book about chickens to give students some background on the animals.
• Have students watch and take notes on what chickens look like and how they act. 
• Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the parents and offspring of chickens.
• Compare and contrast different species of chickens.
• Bring in real chickens for students to touch or take a field trip to a farm. 
• Have a Iowa farmer bring in their chickens and talk about the chickens they raise here in Iowa.

Related Resources

Animal Parents and Their Young | Hero Elementary: In these Hero Elementary activities, children learn that animals have offspring that are very much—but not exactly—like their parents. This includes humans too! Children observe and describe how animal parents and babies are alike and not alike. And they look for patterns.
Book: Chickens by Emily Green: This book gives students some background information on chickens.
Ultra-Awesome Animals 1: Observable Traits | STEM From the START: Characters explain what traits are and then ask students how good they are at picking out traits.