Bird feeder

Summary

Each student makes a bird feeder, that can be hung outside a classroom window, or on the school grounds

Science content

Biology: Features, Adaptations of Living Things (K, 1, 3, 7)

Biology: Classification of Living Things, Biodiversity (1, 3)

Biology: Food Webs, Ecosystems, Biomes (3, 4)

Lessons activity is in

Winter preparations by plants and animals

Plants interacting with animals

Resource

Bird identification and calls

Materials

For each child:

Paper plate
Pine cone
Lard
Posicle stick
Birdseed
Pipecleaner

Procedure

Loop the pipcleaner under the scales at the bottom end of the pinecone, going around several turns, but leaving a stretch of pipecleaner, so it can be hung up. Spread lard on the pipcone under the scales with the popsicle stick. Sprinkle the seeds over the lard. Hang the feeders outside, near a window, so the feeding birds can be observed.
I have used plastic coated wire (thick electrical wire) strung from a window hook to a nearby tree (hung in a loop, so that it can be rotated to hang on each feeder), and between trees (with a long free end that can be used to lower and raise the line, and tie it off around a tree trunk).
Or students can take it home to hang.

Possible items to add near the feeders:
Bird identification guide. Add a tally to mark off how many of each kind of bird students spot. See the resource website for excellent bird images and bird calls.

Birds eat the seeds, which are part of a plant.

Grades taught

Gr K

Gr 1

Gr 2

Gr 3

Activity