Birds on the Nest

In preparation for our walking trip, we introduced toy birds to the classroom. The children were intrigued, rushing to put on their coats so they would have time to hold a bird before we went out to the park. Some of the birds make their appropriate birdsongs recorded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We have an Eastern Goldfinch (the state bird of New Jersey) and many others.

The children delighted in this addition to our classroom, flying the birds around the nest...

Into our blocks structure...

Over to the sorting table...

A hawk landed at the watercolor table where a child challenged herself to paint it. Watercolor is a new media for the children, introduced this week.

First the child drew the outline using permanent pen.

Then she mixed paint colors to make the right shade for the wings.

Finally, she added the details.

I wonder what birds we will see on our walking trip? Perhaps we will hear, or see, some baby birds getting ready to leave their nests.

Here is a link to the National Audubon Society's guide to North American birds. You can find photos, information, and even birdsong recordings for every bird. This weekend is World Migratory Bird day!