Homeschool Bird Unit Study | Homeschool .com

Obviously, spring is an excellent time to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather and all it brings! And when we think of spring we think of birds! Though some can be seen and heard year-round, we do typically associate birds and their sweet songs with springtime. In fact, did you know that there are more than 900 recorded species of birds in North America…and approximately 10,000 in the world?! That’s amazing! So, if you have an elementary-age child, this bird unit study would be a great addition to your homeschool this season! Applicable for grades PreK-5.

Download your Free Bird Unit Study eBook at the bottom of this article!

Bird Unit Books

One of the best and simplest ways to gather information is through books! Print this list and take it with you on a field trip to your local library, or add some to your personal library by purchasing from Amazon through the links.

Nonfiction:

The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess
National Geographic Kids: First Big Book of Birds by Catherine D. Hughes
National Geographic Kids: Everything Birds of Prey by Blake Hoena
A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Birds by Eliza Berkowitz
My Backyard Bird Book by Cheryl Johnson
Words of the World – Birds by Motomitsu Maehara
Feathers: A Beautiful Look at a Bird’s Most Unique Feature by Stan Tekiela
The Little Book of Backyard Bird Songs by Andrea Pinnington and Caz Buckingham
Beaks! by Sneed B. Collard III
Birds, Nests, and Eggs by Mel Boring
The Fantastic World of Birds of Prey by Paul Sweet
Bird Detectives: Science Sleuths and Their Feathered Friends by Kristine Rivers
How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids by Chris Earley

Fiction:

Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook by Martin Jenkins
Do Not Wish For A Pet Ostrich! by Sarina Siebenaler
Curly Crow Goes to the Beach by Nicholas Aragon
Don’t Touch That Flower! by Alice Hemming
The Little Bird Who Wanted to Fly by Breanna Churchill
Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James
The Bird Feeder by Andrew Larsen
Why Should I Walk? I Can Fly! by Ann Ingalls
Winnie Goes to School by Joy K. Ball
Broadway Bird by Alex Timbers
Lundi the Lost Puffin by Eric Newman
The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems

Activity Books:

Exploring Birds Activity Book for Kids: 50 Creative Projects to Inspire Curiosity & Discovery (Exploring for Kids Activity Books and Journals) by Kristine Rivers
Birds Coloring Book by Wintoloono
Bird Coloring Book For Kids: 40 Unique and Fun Images of Birds from North America and Around The World by Creative Nature Publishing

Bird Unit Activities

There are so many opportunities for hands-on learning that will help your children retain all the information they’re taking in throughout this bird unit study! Here are a few suggestions.

Make a Bird Feeder: There are so many ways to make a bird feeder. A simple way is to spread peanut butter or honey on a pinecone, paper cup, empty toilet paper roll, or bagel, roll it in birdseed, and hang it from a tree limb. However, you could also try something a little more complex. First, mix unflavored gelatin and birdseed, stuff into a cookie cutter, stick a straw into the top to make a hole, and place in the freezer for 20 minutes. Then, set it on the counter for 10 minutes, add a string to the hole, and hang it outside.
Make a Bird’s Nest: This is a fun STEM activity! First, gather anything your kids think a bird could use to make its nest: twigs, leaves, feathers, straw, dried grass, etc. Of course, you could also include some yarn or twine with the organic elements. Then use a small round piece of a tree trunk or whatever you have as the center/base for added stability. Finally, take your gathered ingredients and start winding them together to make a nest.
Make a Circle Bird Craft: Surprisingly, your child can create his own bird using several different-sized circles! First, cut out a large circle from cardboard and have your child color it. This will be the bird’s body. Then cut out smaller circles from different colors of construction paper for the bird’s wings and tail feathers. Paste the cardboard circle body onto a piece of paper, fold the smaller circles in half, and paste them on for the wings and tail feathers, draw on a beak, legs, and feet, and finish by pasting on a googly eye.
BONUS: Visit the Audubon for Kids website for loads of more activities and information!

Bird Study Snacks

Keep the learning flowing by moving into the kitchen with these fun bird-themed snacks. Your kids should enjoy making them as much as they will enjoy eating them!

Owl Rice Cake Snacks: First, spread peanut butter on one side of a rice cake. Then, add a small apple slice to each side for the wings, a small carrot triangle for the beak, banana slices with a blueberry in the middle for the eyes, and Cheerios in the shape of an inverted triangle for the chest feathers. So fun!
No Bake Bird’s Nest Cookies: First, add 2 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut and 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to a bowl. Melt 1/2 cup of coconut oil in the microwave. Next, add the melted coconut oil and 1/4 cup of maple syrup or honey to the bowl and mix it all together. Then, add 3 tbsp of the bird’s nest mixture to each cup of a silicone-lined muffin tin. Using a butter knife, create a little well in the center of each cup. Next, add the tin to the freezer for 30 minutes until the nests are frozen and hard. Finally, remove each nest from the liners and add a few yogurt-covered raisins or almonds for eggs. Serve immediately or keep stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Cheese and Cracker Chicks: First, lay some spinach leaves on a plate for tree leaves. Then, top the leaves with round crackers and round slices of cheese. Next, cut small round carrot slices for the bird’s feet, add a small triangle for the bird’s beak, and 3 tiny rectangles for the bird’s head feathers. Finally, enjoy your cute chicks!