Paper Birds

A good introduction to birds and bird life. Kids love playing with their birds after they make them.

Objectives

Children ages 4-5 can glue by joining or bonding FM I
ages 3-4 can fringe paper with scissors FM II
ages 2 can imitate folding paper wings in half FM IV
and they can name common pictures Lang. IB

 

Materials

Pre-cut bird shapes (2 per child); pre-cut feathers (lots, in a variety of colors); string; scissors; glue; books or flash cards with pictures of birds; felt pens; (real feathers are good to look at and touch).
Illustration on separate sheet.

Procedures

1. Begin by giving each child a book or several flash cards with pictures of birds. Identify and name some more commonly known birds. Ask questions about what birds have in common with each other (e.g., they have wings, feathers, they fly, lay eggs, etc.).

2. Collect the books and cards and hand each child two bird shapes. Have them glue everything together but the wings. Next have them fold down the wings and color in eyes with a felt pen. Many children put both eyes on the same side and may even add a nose and mouth. When this happens, turn the bird over, explain that birds have an eye on each side and ask child to draw another eye. Don't worry if they don't really grasp the idea. The concept of faces in profile comes later.

3. Pass out scissors and let children fringe the feathers. Let children glue feathers onto the birds. Discuss the functions and characteristics of feathers. The wings and body of the birds provide four potential surfaces for feathers. Keep reminding kids to turn the birds over, fold wings up, fold down, to see all the places feathers might be needed.

See Illustration.