can you build a bird nest?

What is our theme? Creating a homemade bird nest!

What is the lesson (overall purpose)?  
To create a home for birds, and compare it to the home we live in.

MA Guidelines/Standards:
PreK-ESS2-1 (MA). Raise questions and engage in discussions about how different types of local environments (including water) provide homes for different kinds of living things.

Learning Outcomes:

• visit local outdoor areas, ask questions about the environment (e.g., Why is it wet? What lives there?).
• observe, explore and compare the habitats of humans, dogs, cats, squirrels, and insects. Categorize pictures or models of animals by their habitats.
• build homes and other structures out of blocks and other materials (for humans, birds, animals) and provide a reason for why each is an appropriate structure for what lives in it. 

Songs, Books & Videos (Motivational Techniques)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwi0tBRRcQ - Comparing animal homes 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7MiIiihuEo - Book 

Materials

• Lint from your dryer - birds love lint, its knows to keep the nest warm 
• Gather inside and outside materials: 
  • Lint
  • String 
  • Moss 
  • Leaves
  • Grass
  • Mud 
  • Dirt
  • Cotton balls 
  • Play-doh 

Activity (Procedure):

1. Create a ball like shape with play-doh or mud
2. Form it into a bowl (nest shape) 
3. Start sticking materials (leaves, grass, moss, etc.  in/around nest shape

Activity Wrap Up:
To show and create a home for birds that is different from our homes. 

How do I know what my child is learning? (Assessment)
Ask questions about various habitats (e.g., why does an animal live in one environment rather than somewhere else? How can an animal survive there? What does the environment provide for the animal? What would happen to the animal if it were moved to a different environment?). Pg. 108

How can you extend this activity? (Modifications)
See materials and procedure above. 




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