It's for the Birds... and Kids!

"D", her dad and I [her sister joined us some of the time] had a great Story Hour together . After signing her in and giving her a sparkly cardinal sticker and getting her folder set up we started with a picture of a robin. We talked about it being our state bird, common in our yards as the warmer seasons begin, how it hops along the ground looking/listening for worms, and looked at its color markings.

Then we read Birds by Kevin Henkes. It was a great book to allow us to talk about birds of different colors and some of the habits of birds.

At the craft table we made a paper robin, again looking at the picture and noting the proper coloring and adding some white crayon between his orange belly and tail and a white ring around his eye. Dad traced "D's" hand to make her robin's tail and wing and then cut the fingers apart a bit so they looked like feathers.

Back by the story rug we looked at the book Cardinals and Other Songbirds by Meish Goldish, a World Book Series book. We talked through the selections I had marked about birds that are commonly seen in our backyards. We discussed their coloring, where we might see them, what they eat and for some of them, the calls they make. "D" had a lot to add to our discussion.

When we returned to the craft table I had a box with a real bird nest in it for us to talk about. We looked at all the different things the bird had put into the nest: paper, pieces of plastic bags, grass, feathers, small twigs, string, etc. We also noticed how soft the inside felt. I then brought out my box of items I had collected so "D" could 'be a bird' and build her nest on a blue paper plate. I had placed strips of very sticky tape on the plate for her to attach items, and as she struggled with some items we talked about how birds have only a beak and feet with which to build their nests.

As you can see she selected some very appropriate items and built a rather nice nest.  She then used her sheet of common birds to select one to cut out and put on the nest.

When that was done I gave "D" some sheets related to our bird study to put in her take home folder. Then her mom and sister joined us and I gave them all a Rice Krispie bird nest with 3 malted eggs inside. Everyone seemed to enjoy the treats and then it was time to go home.

Next week's lesson will be about cats. Hope to see you then.

Children's Librarian,
Mitzi