Udok
Activity for Birds Unit
**Activity: Create a Nest**
**Objective**: The main instructional objective of this craft is for preschoolers to understand the concept of bird nests as part of their study of animal habitats. Through hands-on creation, children will learn about the materials birds use to build their nests, develop fine motor skills, enhance creativity, and engage in collaborative outdoor exploration.
**Description**:
The “Create a Nest” activity was an exciting hands-on project that allowed preschoolers to connect their learning about birds and their habitats to a creative craft. Prior to the craft, students were introduced to the concept of bird nests through various engaging videos, which showcased how birds gather materials like twigs, leaves, and grass to create safe, secure homes for their eggs and babies. This helped the children understand the purpose of the nests and the natural resources birds use to construct them. The lesson also included a discussion about birds' habitats and how the nest plays an important role in keeping the birds safe and warm.
To begin, the children ventured outdoors to explore the environment around the school. This outdoor exploration allowed them to connect with nature and observe firsthand the different natural materials they might find on the ground, like leaves, roots, twigs, and grass, just as birds would. With small baskets or bags, the children collected items from nature that they thought would be useful for making a nest. They were excited to see how their surroundings provided the same materials birds use in their nest-building process.
Once they returned to the classroom, each child was given a paper plate as the base for their nest. The nest project provided an opportunity for students to not only demonstrate their understanding of birds’ homes but also to practice fine motor skills. First, the children used blue paint and paintbrushes to decorate their paper plates. The blue color represented the sky and added an artistic touch to their nests. After the plates were dry, the students used crayons to color the bird images that had been printed on a separate sheet. These colorful birds were then carefully cut out and placed on the nest to represent the birds that would call it home.
Next, the children applied liquid glue to their paper plates and began layering their found materials—leaves, twigs, grass, and roots—onto the plate. The act of gluing these materials allowed the children to experiment with textures, shapes, and sizes while improving their hand-eye coordination. They carefully placed and arranged the items in a manner they felt represented a bird's nest, practicing patience and attention to detail.
Throughout the activity, teachers encouraged the children to talk about what they were doing and ask questions about birds and their nests. This helped reinforce the lesson and allowed the children to further explore concepts of nature, habitats, and animals. By the end of the activity, each child had a unique and personal bird nest to take home, along with a deeper understanding of the birds' needs and the importance of nests in the animal kingdom.
The students were thoroughly engaged in the craft, and the activity not only sparked their creativity but also gave them an appreciation for nature and the creatures that share the world with us. The “Create a Nest” project also gave them the opportunity to practice teamwork, communication, and problem-solving as they shared ideas and worked on their nests together.
