THE BIRDHOUSE PROJECT
(linked to Clubhouse Project)
by Gwen Coe and Barb Smith
This project was undertaken in the Fall of 1995 by children
aged 4-5 years at First Step Preschool in Camdenton, Missouri, a private preschool
setting.
Initial Planning
This step occurred four months prior to Phase 1-- during
first planning session for the secret clubhouse. Discussions and drawings which included
the future birdhouses were evident in childrens' every day conversations and drawings of
the clubhouse.
Phase 1
The teacher gathered brochures and catalogues from the
conservation department showing different types of birdhouses. Children reviewed the
brochures and catalogues and selected the designs they would build. During this process
they learned the differences in feeding boxes and nesting boxes.
Phase 2
Visiting Expert
A Naturalist came to school to help children select the
best places in the woods for their birdhouses to hang. She also helped with birdhouse
plans---suggesting longer ledges. She provided information on many different kinds of
birds. Since she was also a taxidermist she brought stuffed birds teaching the children
the difference between seed-eater and meat-eater birds as evidenced by the length,
thickness, and shape of their beaks.
Construction of Birdhouses
The children chose strong siding material that would
withstand the weather. Exact dimensions were found in the catalogues and were used by the
children. Children worked in groups of three to construct one birdhouse for each group.
With teacher assistance, they read dimensions and measured distances on their own wood to
replicate the drawings in the catalogues. Then they drew the pieces on wood. Savannah's
father took the wood pieces home that the children had drawn on and cut them out for the
children. The teacher helped to key the pieces by marking 'b' for back, 's' for sides, and
'f' for front. Children then took the cut-out pieces and using the drawings (reading
blueprints) in the catalogue held their pieces together while the teacher hot-glued the
seams. Children painted their birdhouses and the teacher used spray lacquer on them before
hanging them outdoors. Each group had a different plan for painting.
Phase 3
Culminating Event---Hanging the Birdhouses
Discussion of 's' hooks and chains for hanging the
birdhouses transpired between teacher and children. The teacher showed the 's' hook as a
way of hanging the birdhouses----Kyle included a picture of his birdhouse with the 's'
hook and chain in his final representational drawing of the clubhouse. Sonni was very
conscientious about being certain that the birdhouses were filled with food for the birds.
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Last revised: November 8, 1996 |
