Caitlan Trick

Thinking Inside the Box: Feathers, Beaks, and Talons, oh My!

Grades: K-2

This kit will provide everything a child needs to learn about birds and become excited
and this education and the species. With the amazing diversity of the species and their
importance in the ecosystem, teaching children about birds and their place in the wild is
beneficial and interesting. There is so much a child can see right in their own backyard!
This kit is meant to foster an enthusiasm to learn, create an interest in the environment
and the role of naturalists, as well as urge children to play and explore in an outdoor
setting. The kit contains nonfiction and fiction books, a multimedia CD, and a movie
that use illustrations, tools in language such as alliteration and repetition, engaging
plots, interesting facts, challenging but approachable language, music, colorful
animation, and enjoyable characters to both educate and engross children. Websites
are included to act as supplemental electronic materials. Additionally, activities and a
craft are included to broaden and enrich the learning and overall experience. The flyers
for the kit will be displayed on the youth service’s desk. As the kits change, the flyers
will as well.
Annotated Bibliography
 Fiction

Eastman, P.D. (1998). Are you my mother? New York, NY: Random House Books
for Young Readers. 64 pgs.

A baby bird has become separated from its mother and is on a quest to find her.
Repetition and a predictable plot is used as this little bird meets a variety of animals
and objects before its endurance is rewarded.

Ehlert, L. (1996). Feathers for lunch. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 36
pgs.

An escaped cat is desperately trying to catch a wild bird for lunch, but can only
manage a few feathers. Different birds are introduced and colorful illustrations
guide the plot of this cat and his unsuccessful bird hunt.

Lionni, L. (1995). Inch by Inch. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishing. 32 pgs.

An inchworm is proud of his ability to measure different objects and must use his
skill when a hungry robin takes him from bird to bird to measure anything from
tails, to beaks, to feet. Children are introduced to the concept of measuring as the
inchworm makes his clever escape.

Murguia, B. (2016). Cockatoo, too. New York, NY: Little Bee. 40 pgs.

One cockatoo meets another cockatoo, becoming two, who then meet two more
cockatoos in tututoes, followed by toucans performing can cans. Word play and
homophones are explored as children follow the zangy birds, ending in a jungle
dance party.

Ward, J. Illustrator Jenkins, S. (2014). Mama built a little nest. San Diego, CA:
Beach Lane Books. 40 pgs.

Each different mama bird builds a different nest for their little ones to stay safe and
cozy. Lyrical prose and unique facts are used as children explore the different types
of nests built by each bird family.

Willems, M. (2004). Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus! Vauxhall Walk, LDN. Walker
Books LTD.
A bus driver takes a break from his usual route and a pigeon desperately wants to
step in and take his place driving the bus. Children are able to interact directly with
the story, deciding the pigeon’s fate as the pigeon whines and cries to try and get
his way.

Nonfiction

Burgess, T. (2003). The Burgess bird book for children. Mineola, NY: Dover
Publications. 272 pgs.

Different common birds are interviewed in a story fashion in order for children to
learn about their appearance, eating habits, habitat, and more.

Stewart, M. Illustrator Brannen, S. (2014). Feathers: Not just for flying. Watertown,
MA: Charlesbridge. 32 pgs.

Feathers are compared to everyday objects as children learn the unusual way that
different birds use feathers. Watercolor illustrations are laid out in an engaging
scrapbook pattern as sixteen different birds and the unique way they use their
feathers are explored.

Multimedia nonfiction CD

Tekiela, S. (2004). Birds of Ohio audio CDs: Compatible with birds of Ohio field
guide. Staples, MN. Adventures Publications.

Listen to the unique song from 109 Ohio songbirds. With this listening experience,
children can begin to learn to identify the different birds and their songs in their
own backyard.

Video

Miller, G. (2008). Happy feet. Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers Studio. 109 mins.

Singing is the most important talent in the emperor penguin community, but little
Mumble can only seem to dance. While the other penguins ridicule him at first,
Mumble stays true to himself and shows his community that dancing is fantastic.
 Webliography

In addition to the provided materials explained above, check out these

great websites to learn even more about birds!

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (Copyright 2017). All about birds. Retrieved from
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Caregivers can explore this website with children to learn about bird watching and
read the latest articles on how to best see different birds. What to feed birds is also
explained, as well as how to make different bird houses.

Ducksters: Education Site. (Copyright 2017). Birds. Retrieved from

http://www.ducksters.com/animals/birds.php

With a clean and simple interface, children can play games and read facts related to
birds. Links are provided for more information about each bird.

National Geographic: Kids. (Copyright 2017). Birds. Retrieved from

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/hubs/birds/

Explore games, videos, and articles all about different birds. Badges can be earned
as activities are completed and children will enjoy the bright colors and engaging
games.

(Copyright 2017). Switch zoo: Animal games. Retrieved from http://switchzoo.com/

Play games, listen to, and read about different birds on this database. Children will
have fun creating a new species of bird, learning about its habitat, or going on a
scavenger hunt.

Knowledge Kids. (Copyright 2017). Luna’s memory match. Retrieved from

http://www.knowledgekids.ca/game/lunas-memory-match

Play a memory matching game with Luna the bird. Pictures related to birds are
used and children will be introduced to concepts of memory and concentration.
 Activities!

Do you know how to play Duck, Duck, Goose?

All the players, except the first person who is It, sit in a circle.
It walks around the circle, tapping each player on the head, saying "duck"
each time until he decides to tap someone and when he is ready he says
"goose." That person becomes the goose and runs after It, trying to tag him
before It can take his seat. If It successfully reaches the goose's seat
without being tagged, the goose is the new It. If the goose tags It, then the
goose keeps his spot in the circle and It must either continue to be It for
another turn, or sit in the middle of the circle until another It is tagged.

Let’s play!
Want to go bird watching? Take out your binoculars. How
many birds can you find?

Bird Watching Tally

Description Tallies Total

Sitting

Walking
 Flying

Bird Treat Craft Instructions

Make a homemade treat for the birds in your backyard. They will
love this pinecone snack and you can watch them enjoy it
through your binoculars!

Step 1) Take your craft baggie out of the library kit.

Step 2) Take out the pinecone, vegetable shortening package, and birdseed.

Step 3) On a surface that is easily cleaned, or on newspaper or towels, take

the pinecone and with your hands spread the vegetable shortening all over it
until it is fully covered.

Step 4) Sprinkle birdseed over the pinecone. The birdseed will stick. Cover
the pinecone completely.

Step 5) Take the string out of your craft baggie and tie the string to the
pinecone.

Step 6) Hang your pinecone treat on a tree and wait for the birds to discover
it!
 Supplies and Budget Sheet

Item Vendor Cost

54 Quart Stack & Pull Box, Amazon $12.71
Clear

Are you my Mother? by Amazon $4.56

P.D. Eastman

Feathers for Lunch by Lois Amazon $7.00

Ehlert

Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni Amazon $6.97

Cockatoo, Too by Bethanie Amazon $17.97

Murguia

Mama Built a Little Nest by Amazon $15.13

Jennifer Ward

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive Amazon $9.99

the Bus by Mo Willems

The Burgess Bird Book for Amazon $8.54

Children by Thornton W.
Burgess
 Feathers: Not Just for Amazon $7.57
Flying by Melissa Stewart

Birds of Ohio Audio CD: Amazon $9.49

Compatible with Birds of
Ohio Field Guide by Stan
Tekiela

Happy Feet directed by Amazon $9.24

George Miller

Activity Sheets Library Resource $1.00

Compass Binoculars Amazon $7.58

Natural Pitch Pinecones Amazon $.48

Vegetable Shortening Walmart $.26

Birdseed Amazon $2.00

Twine String Amazon $.14

Plastic Baggie for Holding Amazon $.39

Vegetable Shortening

Craft Bag Amazon $.61

Total - $121.63
 Take Home/Return Checklist

1) 54 Quart Stack & Pull Box, Clear

2) Are you my Mother? by P.D. Eastman
3) Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert
4) Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
5) Cockatoo, Too by Bethanie Murguia
6) Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward
7) Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
8) The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess
9) Feathers: Not Just for Flying by Melissa Stewart
10) Birds of Ohio Audio CD: Compatible with Birds of Ohio Field Guide by Stan Tekiela
11) Happy Feet directed by George Miller
12) (2) Activity/craft sheets
13) Annotated bibliography sheet
14) Reference sheet for web resources
15) Craft bag
16) Binoculars

Consumables (No Need to Return These Items!)

1) Pinecone
2) Vegetable shortening and its baggie
3) Birdseed and its baggie
4) String
5) Bird watching tally sheet