A Lesson on Birds

What other way could we kick off spring but with a lesson about birds!  First of all, who doesn't love Pinterest?  I have drawn so much inspiration from pinners on that site.  I came across this link while up late nursing one night: http://naturallychicmama.blogspot.com/2011/06/learning-at-home-birds.html!  What a cute craft!  Easy...check!  Age appropriate... check!  Have all the materials... double check!  Man it feels good to have everything you need stocked in your craft closet!

I prepared all the materials the night before so we could kick off the craft during Levi's first morning nap.  I started with a lesson about birds.  I used our dry erase board to draw pictures and focused on 4 facts:
1- Birds use their wings to fly. 
2- Birds sleep in nests.
3- Birds live in trees.
4- Birds lay eggs.

After the lesson we started the craft.  Addison loves crafts!  I did not have a big enough paper plate, so I improvised.

Materials:

• 1 large blue paper plate (my plate was too small so I used a large circle of blue construction paper)
• construction paper (a variety of bright colors)
• a handful of straw
• liquid or gel school glue
• 5-6 colorful feathers
• 1 wiggly eye

Set up:

1. If you don't have a large blue plate (chances are you don't), you can paint one blue.  The only plate I had around the house was too small, so I cut it in half, then glued it on the bottom half of the blue construction paper circle I cut out.  Using a plate will help create the pocket you need to place the bird in its nest later.  Keep reading...
2. Cut a half circle in equal size to the plate out of orange or brown construction paper.  This will be the nest.  Go ahead and glue the "nest" onto the bottom half of your plate.  Allow to dry.  This will create a pocket that your child was stuff with straw.
3. Trace a bird shape, beak, and a few eggs.  Cut out so prepared for your child to decorate.
4. Have ready the school glue, feathers, wiggly eye and straw.

** Depending on the age of your child, you can make this as simple as you like.  I set up a lot of the project in advance because my daughter is two.  For older kids you can have them prepare the parts.

Craft Time:

1. After discussing your lesson on birds, explain that now you are going to make a bird!  Allow your child to glue the beak, eye, and features on the bird while you explain each feature.
2. Next, remind your child that birds build nests to sleep in and lay eggs.  Ask them to build their bird a nest!  Have you child cover the nest you prepared with school glue.  Next they can sprinkle straw all around to build the nest.  They can even stuff the nest too! 
3. Place the bird in the nest and glue down.
4. Using the glue, surround the bird with eggs!
5. Once complete, cover the straw again with glue to hold it in place and set the entire project aside to dry.