FREE Bird Unit Study
This Bird Study Unit was new for me. In years past, I have studied and taught the basics of bird characteristics and general information pertaining to birds, but never have I delved into the identification of backyard birds. The Bird Unit Study features all things birds including: basic characteristics, common backyard birds, shape of beaks, feathers, and so much more! There is something for every age student. Bird books, emergent readers, graphic organizers, videos, and more will help you to create your own family Bird Unit Study!
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Read A Loud Choice... Trumpet of the Swan
Before starting your bird unit study, begin with a read a-loud book that ties to your bird unit theme. If you have never read, The Trumpet of the Swan, I highly recommend it. It was a joy to read. All three of our oldest boys (1st, 3rd, and 5th) loved this book. Louis, a trumpeter swan is determined to trumpet like his siblings, but since he is mute, he learns to play a real trumpet! In this delightful book by E.B. White, Louis exemplifies perseverance and hard work. Besides the unlikely storyline, the book also reveals some bird nesting facts about swans.
Bird Unit Study Videos
All About Birds Video
The All About Birds slideshow is a great place to start in your Bird Unit Study. In this science reader, your student will learn what a bird is.
God created birds on the fifth day of creation. Birds have several characteristics that are similar to other animal groups including being a vertebrate and warm blooded. However, like all of God’s creation, birds have their own special qualities. This slideshow will help you teach your child what a bird is. It features those characteristics that are unique to birds.
Birds for Kids YouTube Video
There are many bird related videos on YouTube. This one was just long enough to convey all of the high points about birds without becoming so long that my kids’ attention drifted. This is a perfect addition to your Bird Unit Study.
common characteristics of birds
Discovering the common characteristics of birds is made easy with our free educational slideshow and graphic organizers! To make use of these free resources, check out the Common Characteristics of Birds.
Bird Writing Sheets
Draw & Write sheets can be handy for those looking to incorporate writing into their day. Use these Free Bird Draw & Write sheets to encourage your student to write about the things they have learned thus far. This is a great way to add writing to your Bird Unit Study. Be sure to check out all of our other Draw & Write Sheet Sets, including our Science Draw & Write Sheets.
If you want to create a full Bird Journal, download our full set of Bird Writing Sheets, cover sheet, and bird watching observation sheet here!
Life Cycle of A Robin Printables
Our Life Cycle of a Robin Printables are an ideal addition to your Bird Unit Study. They will help your student grasp the different stages of a bird’s life. Starting from an egg to an adult Robin, our graphic organizer and sequencing cards make it easy to teach your students. We also offer a book recommendation and video links to make teaching this topic easy! Read more…
All About Chickens Reader
This elementary science reader is All About Chickens. Come and learn some differences between roosters and hens. Discover new vocabulary words such as roosting and wattle. This is a great addition to your bird unit study. Have fun learning about chickens! Happy learning!
Chicken Embryo Cards
The Chicken Chick Website features a set of photos showing the development of a chicken embryo inside its egg. It is amazing to think that a baby chick can develop and hatch within 21 days! By using the photos provided on The Chicken Chick‘s site, I was able to make some very simple “Chicken Embryo Cards.” In our card set, we only used the odd number of days including days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.
For our science co-op, we plan to use the cards as part of an investigation bin on bird study day. In a home setting, encourage your student to put the cards in order from beginning to end so that they can see the progression. It is truly amazing to see God’s creation forming right in front of your eyes… and in such a short period of time! This is an awesome opportunity to talk to your kids about this verse: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” Jeremiah 1:5.
Anatomy of a Bird Worksheets
The Anatomy of a Bird Activity Sheets offers 6 different options to accommodate multiple levels and abilities. This set of activity sheets is a great addition to any bird unit study. Be sure to download your own set here!
birds beaks matching cards
You will find 8 different types of bird beak descriptions featured. There are many different shaped beaks, but these are the most common and well-known. To make cards, print on card stock for durability. Next, cut the cards out and laminate. These cards are perfect to be used as a predicting game. Try giving your child all of the cards and asking them to predict what it is they think each bird would eat based on their beak shape. Once they have made their predictions, go over their choices. If your student’s predictions are incorrect, give them the Beak Table to compare to or guide them to the correct answers through questioning.
Types of Bird Beaks Table
The Types of Bird Beaks table is an awesome resource to use when teaching students about the different shapes of bird beaks. Each beak shape affects how they eat and what they eat. A Bird’s beak gives you insight on their diet and lifestyle. There is a Types of Birds Beak reference sheet as well as 2 other tables providing students with fill in the blank sections. Have your student describe the beak on their own and research for themselves what each bird eats and how. This resource is only as effective as you make it!
Birds Feet & Function Cards
The Birds Feet & Function Cards is an easy tool to use. They help show your student how the structure of bird’ feet helps to determine their diet and habitat. Use these cards to talk about possible habitats for each of bird’s feet’s function. This is a great time to encourage critical thinking skills and open discussion. Make sure to ask inquiry questions, “Where do you think this bird lives?” or “Why do you think this bird doesn’t live in the water?”
35 Birds Kids Should Know Slideshow
Bird Crafts For Kids
Binocular Craft
These cute and easy-to-assemble binoculars are perfect for little hands. It isn’t hard to encourage your child to go outside and look for birds when they are adorned with their binocular craft. We made two different versions of the binocular craft. Read more…
Make a Crafty Bird Nest
Use this easy Bird Nest Craft to create a learning experience. Kids will learn all about why birds build nests and why they are important. Create your own EASY Bird Nest Craft today!
Bird Feeder Craft
Try our Easy Bird Feeder Craft! It uses simple materials to create a practical bird feeder that works! It is just the thing for kids who want to attract birds to their backyard. Read more about this craft…
Top 20 Backyard Birds of Georgia
The Top 20 Backyard Birds in Georgia reference sheet will spark interest with students looking to identify their bird feeder friends. We have this reference sheet helpful in learning the names of birds that visit our backyard. Hopefully it can help you identify some your flying friends!
Thank you to Greg Gillson from the blog, “What Birds are in my backyard?” It was his thoroughness and wealth of information that made this list possible. Thank you also to the photographers at Pixabay for their amazing free photos.
Counting Birds Reader
For those of you with budding readers, try adding an emergent reader to your bird unit study. This emergent reader, Counting Birds, features the sight words: there, are, and the number words 1-10. Take a journey counting birds one to ten. Black and white clipart help to keep the printing down to a minimum for those of you looking to make a handheld booklet. To create a booklet for little hands, print 2 pages to a sheet. Once printed, cut the sheets in half and staple to create a booklet. It isn’t hard to do. Easy!
CoLOR Birds Reader
Do You See the Bird? features the sight words: do, you, see, the, and the color words. This reader helps to review sight words while allowing your child to color each of the birds on each page. You can work on reading skills, sight words, color recognition, and fine motor skills while using this resource.
Food for thought...
Looking for a more permanent science curriculum? Even though we pursue various science units that encompass labs and such, we also use a science textbook each year. Some might say that our science units supplement our textbook, while others would say the opposite to be true. The labs, experiments, graphic organizers, videos, and other activities bring the textbook information to life.
We use Abeka Science textbooks. I love that they incorporate God and His sovereignty into their curriculum. When I taught in the public school system, I noticed that many of my students were lacking in vocabulary. This made it difficult for them to understand the why behind many of our investigations. Unfortunately, they were deficient in their background knowledge. Our science time would be lacking too if it weren’t for the rich vocabulary and science language that we find in our science textbook and readers. If you are interested in shopping for a full-time science curriculum or even just a textbook to guide you, click on the following link! Happy homeschooling!
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