Birds-PK4/Summer

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Jessica's Week-
Due to our extra cold Pennsylvania winter, I had to postpone bird week until nearly summer. The birds  took that long to migrate back to us, not that I blame them….I’d have stayed in the nice warm southern states a little longer too if I could! Couldn’t skip the theme altogether though, as this is still one of Taegan’s personal favorites. It gets us outside enjoying nature in such an interactive way that not too many other themes allow. We can easily find and categorize bird types, calls, activities (such as in a nest, on a branch, flying, finding food), etc. There are endless options for feeding birds: mix up a hummingbird nectar, make a birdseed feeder, take peas to the ducks. With a little searching we’ve found a variety of bird calls and enjoy getting up early to “sing them songs” and count the replies we receive. Taegan has a new found love for tree climbing so we set out seeking nests (not to touch mind you) but didn’t have much luck climbing high enough. To avoid discouragement I let her gather sticks, soft grasses, etc and set her homemade “nest” creations on the limbs she could reach with some easy climbing.
We tried out several new experiments involving birds. The oscillating woodpecker really pecked away at our paper towel tube (so neat), and we had fun learning how ducks stay dry but my favorite was one involving birds and beaks. I gave T several foods which replicate things different bird species would eat and tools to demonstrate the way in which they have to break open shells or tear up food or suck nectar to eat. She LOVED this one and I appreciated the fine motor practice it required.
​I know I said this last year too but seriously, bird week makes for a great pre-k theme….I think my four year old rivaled the enthusiasm of elderly park bird watchers this week!