Week 1
Day 1
Objective: Learn about Alaskan birds
Materials/Resources: SILKAT Kindergarten Unit Video (find on SILKAT Home Page in Supporting Materials), Alaskan bird story (see materials page for suggestions), Appropriate outdoor gear
Introduce Unit with the Kindergarten Video on homepage
Have a class discussion about Alaskan birds, and birds specific to the region
View Alaskan bird pictures
Use the websites in the materials section to show students some pictures of birds from the region
Have a class discussion about distinct features and characteristics
Weather permitting, go outside and take a walk to see what birds you can observe
After the walk, have a class discussion about characteristics and importance of birds in the region
Day 2
Objective: Create first draft of bird drawing
Materials/Resources: Printed bird photos, pencils and plain white paper, colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Show students Austin's Butterfly Video *insert link here when it downloads
Have each student choose a bird from the bird images provided in the materials section
Give students a chance to view and interact with images. Possible ways to present images are:
Project each image for the whole group and have a class discussion about the characteristics and importance of each bird
Have small groups of students rotate through printed copies of the pictures and have small group discussions about the characteristics and importance of each bird
Model drawing technique using the image as a guide to create a draft image
Have students complete first draft of their own bird drawings and turn in
Day 3
Objective: Begin seasonal bird collage
Materials/Resources: Construction paper, paint, paintbrushes, bird images
Begin class with a discussion about the different birds each season brings. Create a list together on the board with a graphic that represents and identifies the birds for each season.
Use the bird image resources from the materials section so that students have a visual of the size and shape of each bird
Each student will choose a bird to add to a class collage. They will choose their bird before painting so they can decide on colors and patterns to use.
Today students will paint paper to be used in bird collages later in the unit. Have each student paint at least two different papers with different color schemes and patterns.
One way of structuring this would be to have small group work stations, with different colors at each station. Students can go to one table for their first piece of paper, and paint their paper with warm colors, and then move onto cool colors with their second piece of paper.
Day 4
Objective: Give and receive feedback. create second draft of bird drawing
Materials/Resources: Original bird drawing, printed bird images, colors, plain white paper, colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Students will receive feedback on their first drafts of their bird drawings.
Use See, Think, Wonder Visible Thinking Routine to begin discussions on student artwork, then give directions for providing and receiving feedback with peers
Depending on your class size and ability level, this can be done whole group, in small groups, or in partnerships
Explain to students that their feedback should be kind, specific, and helpful, and focused on the shape first, and then pattern/color
Give some examples of what kind, specific, and helpful comments are
Model the feedback process you would like them to go through
Allow students to give and receive feedback, and then have them work on their second draft of their bird drawings.
Make sure that the original images they were using for inspiration are available to them
Day 5
Objective: Create birds for seasonal bird collage
Materials/Resources: Stencils made from bird images-body, wing, beak, scissors, glue
Begin lesson with a story and have a discussion about the seasons and why birds migrate during different seasons
Have students trace shapes of bird parts onto their dried, painted construction paper.
Assemble and glue birds together
Sort birds by season, have students or groups of students share their artwork and information that they have learned about their birds and the season they are present in
