Birds Week at Nature School
Ahh birds! Children and adults alike develop an affinity to these creatures as so many have the desire to fly as free as they do. Birds are a great way to begin discussing diversity as there are so many birds in the world and even in our own local area. This unit we will do activities to help us learn how to bird watch, work on our focus skills, learn about some birds in our own backyards, and see if we can create something to bring them to our windows.
Sensory
Bird Seed Sensory Bins are a great activity for this week’s focus and one the kids seem to really enjoy. We usually get this big back and let the kids play in it all week. The best part about this one is we don’t worry about it spilling as it is safe for animals to eat. We love adding letters like these, wooden scoops, and even craft birds like this one. The kids have fun imagining what it would be like to be a bird themselves.
Art & Fine Motor Skills
Bird Watching Nature Binoculars - I love to make these for the kids and I love watching their creative juices flow while considering what they want to add to their binoculars. For this one we usually set up an invitation to play and includes collaging materials like:
Supplies:
Glue (of course)
Feathers
Moss
Twine
Toilet paper rolls or craft rolls like the ones found here
Masking tape
Process:
First make the binoculars. Help your child by rolling the masking tape around the two paper towel rolls to help them stay together. Then, put all of the collage materials on a tray or on newspaper so that your table is protected. Allow your child a chance to choose what they would like to glue onto their binoculars and have fun creating one next to them. Once they feel like they are finished, tape the twine to the sides of the binoculars and go outside and explore!
Nature Connections:
Bird Search - During this week's nature walk, keep an eye out for the birds around you. During our programs, we like to make sure we have a field guide or our Bird Search Printable in our bird study unit to get kids excited to see if they can find any on the list. It really makes them focus a bit more on their surroundings and get them talking about the birds in their environment.
Social Skills:
Apple Bird Feeders - We make these at least twice a year in our programs. We love how it helps to build social skills like empathy as it allows the kids to put themselves in a bird's shoes - I mean wings. Here is our process usually.
Supplies:
Birdseed
Apples
Peanut butter or suet
Twine
A long nail or screw
Process
Cut the fruit in half and scoop out the contents. Add the peanut butter to the bird seeds and spoon the mixture into the fruit. Put it into the fridge overnight if you can wait that long. Then add poje the screw through the top of the birdfeeder and tie the twine through it so that you can make a circle. The really fun part of this for kids is to find a tree to hang it on. They love watching the birds that stop by for a snack and I love to remind them of how they caused the birds to be able to eat. It is a great confidence booster and makes children realize they can have a positive impact on their environment.
Activity Guide Companions
Each unit includes Montessori inspired printables and even more hands on activities and detailed lesson plans to make prepping activities easy! Our printables are included to save you from purchasing additional hands on materials that you may not have available, but are also completely optional!
Bird Printables included in this file:
Parts of a bird labeling activity for pre-writers
Parts of a bird labeling activity for writers
Bird Poem Printable for reading aloud, copywork, and dictation
Bird Cards for use in a sensory bin, tray, or for your nature walk
Bird Coloring Page
Our favorite books for this week
Backyard Birds (Field Guides for Young Naturalists) by Karen Stray Nolting (Author), Jonathan Latimer (Author), Roger Tory Peterson (Illustrator)
Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook by Martin Jenkins (Author), Richard Jones (Illustrator)
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Birds (National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books) by Catherine D. Hughes
Every Little Thing: Based on the song 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley (Preschool Music Books, Children Song Books, Reggae for Kids) by Bob Marley, Cedella Marley
Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward and Steve Jenkins
Bird Hugs by Ged Adamson
Mrs. Peanuckle's Bird Alphabet (Mrs. Peanuckle's Alphabet) by Mrs. Peanuckle and Jessie Ford
I Love Birds!: 52 Ways to Wonder, Wander, and Explore Birds with Kids by Jennifer Ward and Alexander Vidal
Thanks for Reading!
Well, I hoped you enjoyed learning about birds as much as we did! Don't forget to tag us on Instagram @kind_academy or post pictures in our community as you do them. We look forward to seeing you soon!