Grade Level(s):  K-3

   Subject(s): Science, Language Arts, Careers

   Learner Outcomes:

The student will explore equipment needed for incubation.
The student will become familiar with the 21 day incubation process.
The student will record observations on their record sheet and student journal.

   Duration of Lesson:  21 days

   Materials:

•      fertile eggs
•      individual folders/journal- students keep all work in folder for unit
•      self turning incubator (see manufactures instructions with your incubator)
•      thermometer
•      wet bulb
•      water
•      record sheets
•      activity sheets
•      chart paper
•      daily growth of a chicken handout
•      student chicken journal (or make a booklet or a notebook for daily writing)

embryology-the science of studying the unborn
embryo-the unborn chick
incubation-the practice of growing embryos from eggs in warmth
thermometer-an instrument for measuring temperature
thermostat-device which regulates temperature

   Technology Tools/CoursewareTeacher Notes:
        Computer with internet access
        Incubator with thermometer

   Teacher Notes:

•      Start the incubator a day before to ensure temperature and humidity are regulated.
•      If you want to incubate duck eggs, start process 7 days prior to chicken eggs.
•      Contact a local extension agent for additional materials and information.
•      Make sure eggs are due to hatch at the beginning of the week.

•     Hold up the incubator and ask, "What do you think this is?"
•     Let the students guess  what it is.  Write down responses.
•     Explain to the students that the box is an incubator.
•     Describe how it is used and identify the parts of the incubator.
•     Define embryology.  Explain to the students that they will be caring for and learning about the development of
•     chick embryos as they grow inside the incubator.
•     Place the incubator in a safe area away from a window and close to an outlet.
•     Plug it in.
•     Add a pan of water to the incubator, below the screen.
•     Regulate the temperature of the incubator at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours before adding the eggs.
•     Put in eggs and start your 21 day countdown on your record sheet.
•     On days 7 and 14, candle eggs.
•     Students will observe and record their observations in their chicken journals.

   Enrichment Activities:  Collect and hatch duck eggs.

   Evaluation/Assessment:

Observation and oral discussion
Completion of daily countdown worksheet
Completion of student chicken journals

   West Virginia IGOs:  see link

   State and National Standards:  see link
 

   Job/Career Clusters:  Discuss the role of an extension agent.
 

   References:
        Local extension agent
        Instruction manual with incubator

   Authors:  Susan Cain, Darla Kuhn, Shari Ricco

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Literature Resource Guide

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