Activity Sheet - Bird Builds a Nest

 

Bird Builds a Nest Activity Sheet

Age Range: 4-8 years

Book: Bird Builds a Nest by Martin Jenkins

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Introduction

Welcome to the Bird Builds a Nest activity sheet! Inspired by the charming story "Bird Builds a Nest" by Martin Jenkins, this set of activities is designed to help children aged 4-8 explore the wonderful world of birds, their nests, and the concept of building and creating. This beautifully illustrated book takes readers through the journey of a bird as it gathers materials and constructs a cozy nest, highlighting themes of perseverance and the beauty of nature.

Through reading comprehension questions, vocabulary building exercises, art and craft projects, science experiments, and writing activities, children will deepen their understanding of birds and their nesting habits while developing important skills. These activities will also encourage children to observe nature more closely and appreciate the hard work that goes into building a home.

Let's join the bird on its nest-building adventure and discover the amazing process of creating a safe and comfortable home!

Bird Builds a Nest - by Martin Jenkins

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Activity 1: Reading Comprehension

Introduction: In this activity, you'll answer questions about Bird Builds a Nest to test your understanding of the story. By recalling details and thinking about the events, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the bird's hard work and dedication.

1. What materials does the bird use to build its nest?

   • Answer: The bird uses twigs, grass, leaves, and feathers to build its nest.

2. Why does the bird need to build a nest?

   • Answer: The bird builds a nest to have a safe and comfortable place to lay its eggs and raise its chicks.

3. How does the bird gather the materials for the nest?

   • Answer: The bird carefully collects materials from its surroundings, using its beak to pick them up and carry them to the nest site.

4. What challenges does the bird face while building the nest?

   • Answer: The bird faces challenges like finding the right materials and dealing with weather conditions.

5. What is the main message or theme of the story?

   • Answer: The main message is about the importance of hard work, perseverance, and creating a safe home.

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Activity 2: Vocabulary Building

Introduction: This activity will help you learn and understand new words from Bird Builds a Nest. By matching words with their meanings, you'll expand your vocabulary and gain a better grasp of important concepts related to birds and nesting.

Match the words with their meanings:

1. Nest
2. Twig
3. Feather
4. Perseverance
5. Hatch

A. A small, thin branch of a tree or shrub
B. The act of an egg breaking open to allow a young bird to come out
C. A structure built by birds to lay eggs and raise their young
D. One of the light, soft structures covering a bird's body
E. Continued effort to do something despite difficulties

Answers:

1. C
2. A
3. D
4. E
5. B

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Activity 3: Nature Walk and Observation

Introduction: Take a walk in your garden or a nearby park to observe birds and their nests. In this activity, you'll look for birds, nests, and other signs of wildlife, and record your observations to learn more about the natural world around you.

Instructions:

1. Take a walk in your garden or a nearby park.
2. Look for birds and observe their behaviour. Do you see any birds gathering materials or building nests?
3. If you find a nest, observe it from a distance without disturbing it. What materials do you think the nest is made of?
4. Draw pictures of the birds and nests you see.
5. Describe what you observed in a few sentences.

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Activity 4: Art and Craft

Introduction: Get creative with this fun project where you'll make your own bird nest using materials you find around your home or garden. This activity helps you understand how birds build their nests and the importance of each material.

Make Your Own Bird Nest:

Materials:

• Twigs
• Grass
• Leaves
• Feathers
• Glue
• Small basket or bowl (optional)

Steps:

1. Gather materials like twigs, grass, leaves, and feathers from your garden or nearby park.
2. If you have a small basket or bowl, use it as a base for your nest. If not, you can shape the nest with your hands.
3. Arrange the twigs, grass, leaves, and feathers to create a nest shape.
4. Use glue to secure the materials together if needed.
5. Let the nest dry and then display it as a reminder of the bird's hard work.

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Activity 5: Science Experiment

Introduction: In this activity, you'll explore the strength of different materials by building small nests and testing how much weight they can hold. This hands-on experiment will help you understand why birds choose certain materials for their nests.

Test the Strength of Nest Materials:

Materials:

• Twigs
• Grass
• Leaves
• Feathers
• Small weights (like coins or small stones)
• Glue
• Paper plates

Steps:

1. Build small nests using different materials (twigs, grass, leaves, feathers) on paper plates.
2. Use glue to secure the materials together.
3. Once the nests are dry, place small weights on each nest to test how much weight they can hold before breaking.
4. Record your observations. Which material makes the strongest nest? Which materials are less strong?

Questions to Consider:

• Why do you think some materials are stronger than others?
• How do you think birds know which materials to use for their nests?

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Activity 6: Writing Exercise

Introduction: Use your imagination to write a story from the perspective of a bird building its nest. This activity helps you empathize with the bird and understand the effort that goes into creating a home.

Write a Bird's Nest-Building Story:

Imagine you are the bird from the book. Write a short story about your experience building a nest, including the following details:

1. Gathering Materials: Describe how you find and collect the materials for your nest.
2. Building the Nest: Explain the steps you take to build the nest and any challenges you face.
3. Finishing the Nest: Describe what the finished nest looks like and how you feel about your hard work.

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Activity 7: Discussion and Reflection

Introduction: Reflect on the themes of Bird Builds a Nest by discussing these questions. This activity encourages you to think about the importance of building and creating, and how we can apply these lessons in our own lives.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Why is it important for birds to build strong nests?
2. What can we learn from the bird's hard work and perseverance?
3. How can we apply the bird's determination and creativity to our own projects?

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Conclusion

Great job on completing the Bird Builds a Nest activity sheet! We hope you enjoyed learning about birds, there nests, and the amazing process of building a home. By exploring these activities, you've gained a deeper appreciation for nature and the hard work that goes into creating a safe and comfortable space.

Remember, the lessons you've learned can be applied in your everyday life. Whether it's working on a project, helping around the house, or simply observing and appreciating nature, every small action counts. Keep exploring, stay curious, and continue to find ways to support and protect the wonderful creatures that share our world.

Thank you for joining the bird on its nest-building adventure. Keep discovering and remember that you can make a difference!