1. Spark curiosity with a video 

This activity connects classroom learning with family life, as it involves an after-school task. Begin by showing the children the "Roosts!" video (Downloadable Material). You may use the presentation on the interactive whiteboard to spark a discussion or set up a group comprehension task on their tablets. 

2. Explore sparrow maps 

Show the children "Sparrow Roost Map 1" (Downloadable Material, page 1). Since this map uses symbols without place names, challenge them to locate their school or home. Then, share "Sparrow Roost Map 2" (Downloadable Material, page 2), which includes place names, to help them identify the sparrow roost closest to their school or home. 

3. Sparrow count with the family 

Distribute copies of "My Sparrow Roost Count Sheet" (Downloadable Material) and assign the children a sparrow count, accompanied by an adult family member, at a roost site of their choice. Ask them to take a photo of the roost site. Meanwhile, use "Roosting Birds" (Downloadable Material) to review how to distinguish sparrows from other birds flying to their roosts. 

4. The best time to observe 

Allow plenty of time for this task to be completed. The best period is from December to February, when most birds fly into roost around sunset (approximately 4:45–5:45 pm). 

5. Sharing discoveries in class 

Back in class, let the children share their findings. Use their data to create a display or presentation for a school assembly or another event. This step ensures that even children who couldn’t visit a roost site still have a role in the project. 

Creating a presentation for the community (extra) 

As a class, decide what kind of presentation to prepare: perhaps a spoken presentation about roosts with pictures from the Dinja Waħda resources and their own photos? Or maybe a static display in the school foyer during an Open Day? The larger the audience, the more people will discover the fascinating feathered lodgers in their neighbourhood!