Yaaaay! It's Spring. I have noticed a lot of birds building nests, have you?

Click here for a step by step guide on how to complete this nest art project.

Materials:

Background paper and various coloured paper for the bird features (if you do not have coloured paper at home, use at old magazine you can cut up)

2 cut out triangles (for the beak and tail)

3 ovals (for the eggs)

2 semi circles (one large for the body, one small for the wing)

Pens, felts, pastels, crayons etc

Leaf shapes or real leaves

Scissors

What kind of bird did you make, an introduced bird or a native bird?

Can you name the birds outside your window?

Hide some treasure and then draw a treasure map. Include places around your home eg: kitchen, garden, bedroom etc...

When you are done you might like to scrunch up the paper, use black coffee to dye it and burn the edges to make it look like an old pirate treasure map.

Challenge...

Create your own treasure hunt. Have a go at writing your own treasure hunt clues. You could then see if someone at home can find your treasure.

Keep your clues simple

Eg: Look under a log

Check in the place where we keep food

Look in the place where I spend most of the night

Click here to find the classes...

http://www.robbiddulph.com/draw-with-rob

Don't foget to write a story to go with your picture!

Challenge...

See if you can include at least one WOW word and conjunction in your story.

We are going to turn adorable animals into Ferocious Creatures!

To make this, you need paper and colouring pencils.

You need to fold the paper in half and then fold the top half in half again. Draw a cute animal then open up the paper and join the jaw line and add sharp teeth!

Click Here to see an exmaple. This is a step by step video.

You can use a notebook, post it notes or a refill pad to make a flip book.

Click on the picture link to see an example.

In the bottom corner of the page, draw something simple, like a stickman, or a shape.

Each page after that draw the image from the previous page with a slight change. The more images you draw, the longer your flip book will be.

When you have finished, hold your flip book in a way that allows you to quickly flip the pages. You should see the pictures come to life!

Go for a walk around your garden or neighborhood. Collect lots of different nature objects such as leaves, rocks, sticks, flowers. Design and make land art with your nature collection.

Can you write a story about your nature hunt? (Don't forget to use a conjuncion and WOW word!)

or

Write a story about your picture.

Don't forget to include...what it is, what you used for different parts and maybe a wondering (I wonder what else I can make out of nature)

Since we have only just started the school year I would love to get to know more about you. Give one of these activities a go (you may need the help of a big person).

1. Take two light sticks—one should be longer than the other.

2. Tie the sticks together in the middle so they form a cross, with the across-ways stick higher than halfway up the vertical stick.

3. Lay the sticks on some fabric—an old broken piece of tent could work well—or any light fabric. Cut a diamond shape around the sticks.

4. Hot-glue or tie the fabric onto the sticks.

5. Add on a tail—it's important to get some weight in the tail to help the kite hang correctly, so tie a couple of fabric bows onto the tail.

6. Tie string or wool to each side of the centre point where the sticks meet. Bring these together and tie them in a knot.

7. To this knot, add on 6-10 metres of string or wool and wind it from the loose end around a small stick.

8. Find a windy spot and hold your kite up into the air. When the wind catches it, you can let go and let out some line.

You will need:

• Painted paper or coloured paper

• Black markers

• Scissors

• Glue sticks

• Oil pastels

• Sheet of A3 black paper

Click on the picture link to get the instructions of how to do the weaving.

Paint/ Draw/ Sketch various trees you can see from your backyard or on a walk around your home.

What ones are...similar, different, same shape, different height, more leaf coverage, less branches etc.

Can you find and draw 5-15 different types of trees?

Challenge: Can you find out the names of these trees? - Are they native or exotic? What do these terms mean?

Extra fun: Climb each tree safely (branches should be bigger than the size of children's thigh).

Have you noticed the birds since being at home? Would you like to encourage more birds in your backyard? Here are some simple ways to use recyclable materials to make a bird feeders.

Choose a picture you would like to draw and use the video to draw it.

You will need a pencil and piece of paper.

We all have lots of bits and pieces in our recycling that can be turned into creative treasures.

Collect bits and pieces from around the house

(boxes, bottle tops, toilet paper rolls, egg cartons)

Plan your robot by drawing what you would like it to look like. You could also write step by step instructions of how you will make your robot.

Make your robot. You can decorate it by painting, colouring or using collage. Take a photo and put it in your learning journal.

• Find a nice, cosy, quiet place to sit.

• You will need coloured pencils or felt tips

• Put some peaceful music on and choose fro the following ideas...

• Choose a colouring book you have at home, or any picture you draw yourself, and settle down for some peaceful drawing or colouring time.

• You could click on the picture link (to the left) and print off the pictures. Mum or Dad will need to help with this.

• Or if you are using an ipad, you could download it onto your I-pad and use the colouring tools to have a go

Make a telescope and discover exciting treasures in your neighbourhood!

What you need:

• cardboard tube

• scissors

• stickers, magazines, coloured paper

• glue/sellotape

• craft supplies that will make your telescope AMAZING ....

Use your imagination to decorate your telescope.

Go and explore your neighbourhood with your whānau .....

What did you see?

https://quickdraw.withgoogle.com/

This activity could be done with any recycled paper or cardboard. You could also decorate waxed kitchen paper with felts, or use tissue/wrapping paper. Use your imagination to achieve a unique look.

Remember this activity at Christmas time and decorate your windows with Christmas themed stars.