A-L Blaze of colour Make a 3D peacock.
Planned learning intention
To explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in two and three dimensions Adult:child ratio 1:3 Resources
Children's Encyclopaedia of Birds by Jinny Johnson (Gollancz, 10.99) or similar rigid cardboard glue paint sequins two sheets A3 card shiny blue, green and orange paper green and blue crepe paper bubble-wrap stapler staple gun scissors two card cylinders sticky tape yellow paint Preparation
* Cut a life-size peacock's tail from rigid cardboard.
* Cut two identical and simple body shapes out of the card.
* Sandwich layers of bubble-wrap between the two cards. Leave flaps of card to attach the body to the tail, staple around the edges.
* Cut card claws and staple them on to the card cylinders to make the legs.
* Cut green crepe paper feathers for the tail, shiny blue paper for the body.
Step by step
* Look at pictures of the peacock and discuss its appearance.
* Set up separate areas with resources to make the tail, body and legs, so that all the children have an opportunity to participate in making the bird.
* Paint the card cylinders and claws yellow. Dry.
* Glue paper feathers on to the body.
* Add sequin eyes and head feathers.
* Tape the legs on to the body.
* Glue feathers on to the tail, overlapping the paper.
* For the 'eyespot' markings, overlap and glue circles and ovals of paper (see poster) and stick them on to the tail.
* Use a staple gun to fix the tail to the wall, so that the peacock can stand on the floor, at child level.
* Staple the body to the tail. Glue on more feathers to hide the staples.
Stepping stones
* Children with little experience need help to cut, glue and place the feathers.
* Children with more experience stick them on, leaving spaces.
* Experienced children can overlap the paper.
Extension idea
* Compare pictures of peacocks and peahens.
C-I Big and bright
Provide colourful crepe and shiny paper, felt pens, scissors, glue and A4 card and encourage the children to create their own 2D peacocks and peahens.
Possible learning outcomes
Investigating objects and materials by using all of their senses Exploring colour, texture, shape and form Using their imagination
Activity 2
A-L Tall and short
Take a look at exotic birds.
Planned learning intention
To develop an understanding of the wide diversity of bird life Adult:child ratio 1:Whole group Resources
Nursery World poster Children's Encyclopaedia of Birds by Jinny Johnson (Gollancz, 10.99) or similar tape recorder.
Preparation
* Colour and laminate pictures of unusual birds with long and short legs, such as penguins and ostriches.
* Prepare one for each child.
* Cover two hoops with brown crepe paper to represent nests.
Step by step
* Discuss the Nursery World poster and laminated pictures of birds. Ask the children to describe the birds.
* Let the children help you write the names of the birds and the words 'long' and 'short' on separate cards, using red for the initial sounds and blue or black for the other letters.
* Laminate the cards for durability.
* Match the bird pictures with the name cards, and practise the initial sounds.
* Show the children the hoops and explain that they are birds' nests. Put the 'long' card in one hoop and the 'short' card in the other and the bird pictures in a plastic wallet.
* Sit in a circle and play the tape recorder while the children pass the wallet around the circle.
* When the music stops let the child take a bird out of the wallet, identify the bird, say if it has long or short legs and put it in the appropriate 'nest'.
Stepping stones
* Quieter children often watch the group participating in an activity and then examine the resources on their own, eventually joining in.
Extension idea
* Share the rhyme 'Five Wood Pigeons' on the back of the Nursery World poster.
C-I On the bench
Using a bench and the laminated bird cards encourage the children to re-enact 'Five Wood Pigeons'.
Possible learning outcomes
Developing an understanding of the elements of a rhyme Working as part of a group, taking turns and sharing fairly CD Using their imagination Activity 3
A-L On the ground Investigate flightless birds.
Planned learning intention
To move with confidence, imagination and safety Adult:child ratio 1:whole group Resources
Laminated pictures from Activity 2 bean-bags Step by step
* Re-cap on the different lengths of the birds' legs.
* Ask the children to say how the birds walk, making suggestions, such as 'with long strides', or 'short steps'.
* Explain that you will hold up a picture of the bird and they are going to imitate how it walks.
Stepping stones
* Children with little experience often only observe their peers participating.
* Experienced children will show awareness of movement and speed.
Extension ideas
* Mimic bird movements. Try balancing a bean-bag on the top of two feet as the penguin shuffles along carrying its baby.
C-I Big foot
Provide soft and hard toy birds, such as bath-time duck, soft toy birds, and encourage the children to try carrying toys on their feet.
Possible learning outcomes
Growing in confidence, trying out new activities in a familiar group.
Learning about the natural world
Moving with greater co-ordination
Activity 4
A-L Pecking order Dress up as birds.
Planned learning intention
To express their thoughts and feelings through imaginative role play Adult:child ratio 1:2 Resources
T-shirts strips of fabric yellow/ brown socks and card needle and thread mask template from the back of the Nursery World poster elastic pieces of apple and dried food Preparation
* Stitch strips of fabric on to the T-shirts to resemble wings and tail.
* Stitch card claws or webbed feet on to the socks.
* Make card photocopies of the masks.
Step by step
* Colour and laminate a mask outline and attach a piece of elastic to keep the mask in place.
* Encourage the children to mimic birds and 'peck' the food.
Stepping stones
* Less experienced children watch, examining costumes in their own time.
* More experienced children dress up, in a solitary fashion.
* Confident children play in a group.
C-I Flee the nest Provide bird costumes and masks, boxes for nests and dried fruit. Encourage the children to mimic bird movements and dramatise rhymes such as 'The north wind doth blow'.
Possible learning outcomes Gaining in confidence in initiating ideas and speaking in a familiar group Expressing ideas via movement Moving with confidence and imagination
