Suet Cages and Bird Feeders

Suet Cage for Nesting Materials

Last week, our friendly neighbour, Ms. Johnston, gave us two Suet Cages.  Instead of filling it with bird food, we decided to put nesting materials to help birds make their spring nests.    

First, we did some research about how birds make their nests.  We looked in some books and searched the internet for information about what materials birds use to make their nests.  We also saw a few videos on YouTube.  Below is one of the videos our class watched.  

We learned that birds make their nests using string, twigs, grass, cotton, feathers, pine needles, flower petals and even hair!  We already had some of those materials in our class, so we decided to use them.  

Once our cages were filled, we found a spot to hang them on a tree in front of our classroom window.  Everyday the students eagerly look out the window to see if the birds are using their offerings to build nests.  

Containers for Bird Feeders

We collected some coffee containers from Tim Hortons.  A few students were interested in turning them into bird feeders and hanging them on the tree next to the suet cages.  The students worked to decorate the outside of the feeder with pasta and Lima beans, and the inside with sunflower seeds.

Once the bird feeders were completed, the students presented them to the rest of the class.  

Ms. M – How did you make your bird feeders?

K. V. – We use different materials.

Ms. M – What materials did you use?

M. C. – Macaroni!

J. B. – Beans!

A. S. – Grass Seeds!

Ms. M – What did you put inside the bird house?

J. B. – Bird food like seeds.

Ms. I – Why do you think the birds will like using that bird feeder?

K. V. – Because they have food in it.

M. C. – Cause they can get in it, because there’s a hole.

Ms. I – How does the hole protect the birds?

K. V. – Because there gonna get cold.

M. C. – Being hot from the sun.

J. B. – Warm and rain. 

Ms. I – What do you think the birds will do with the macaroni around it?

All – Eat it!

Finally,  we took the bird feeders to the front of the school and hung them on a branch close to the cages filled with materials.  We were happy to see that the birds were making use of the materials we left for their nests.    

As soon as we hung our bird feeders a little bird flew to the tree and began chirping away!  We were happy to be helping our feathered friends in nature.  Hopefully a bird will choose to build a nest of the tree in front of our classroom window.  

Our Class Trip to Britannia Farm Sugar Bush

On Monday, March 31, the Kindergarten students visited Ranger Ridley and Ranger Dan at the Britannia Farm Sugar Bush.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.  The sun was shinning and the air was crisp.  The snow on the ground quickly melted as mud began to cover our boots.  

Ranger Dan taught us how the pioneers used to make maple syrup a long time ago.  We learned how to use special tools that made holes in wood, and we used a giant paddle spoon to stir the hot sap.  

Ranger Ridley showed us how maple syrup is made today.  He showed us a special measuring tool that calculates the number of buckets a tree can hold for collecting sap.  We also saw fresh sap ooze out of a maple tree.  The sap looked just like water, but tasted a little sweet!  Ranger Ridley then showed us a powerful machine that he called "Sappy."   He explained that Sappy heats and boils the sap that turns into maple syrup.  The best part of our visit was tasting the maple syrup... yum, yum!  

Ms. Marrella and I were snapping lots of pictures while at the Sugar Bush.  We decided to hand over the iPad to our students and give them an opportunity to document what they felt was important to them.  We were amazed at how beautiful their pictures turned out.  Below are some of the images our students took at the Sugar Bush. 

Once their images were developed, Ms. Marrella and I had invited our students to reflect back on their trip by writing about each image they took with the iPad.  

Though all the images from the Sugar Bush were beautiful, the students, Ms. Marrella and I felt that one image in particular stood out from the rest.  Below is an image of that picture. 

We decided to re-create this image using as many natural materials as we could.  

Finally, Ms. Marrella and I recorded a conversation we had with our students about their trip to the Sugar Bush.  When we reflected on the conversation felt that all the activities we had done during and after the trip helped our students to not only remember their visit to the Sugar Bush, but have a deeper connection to their experience there.  

Below is an excerpt from one of the recorded conversations we had with our students about their visit to the Sugar Bush. 

Ms. I  – Take a look at these two pictures.  How do they help you to remember your trip to the Sugar Bush?

G.V.  – I remembered about how we went to look at Sappy.  And I remember I taste maple syrup.  I remembered I pick up a leaf.  And I saw some mud of the ground.  The mud was squishy. 

Ms. I  – Why was it squishy?

G.V. – Um, because of the ground.  Because of the water from the clouds. 

Ms. I – Why would it be raining and not snowing?

G.V. – Because it’s going to be summer.

M. C. – Um, I remember that I was playing with the hammer. Um, I was banging the little logs. 

Ms. I – Why did Ranger Dan show us that?

M.C. – Maybe so we could try to play with that.

Ms. I – What did those materials help people do?

M.C. – To do the sugar bush.

Ms. I – What else do you remember?

M.C. – I remember there was snow.  There was so many trees. I can’t count them.  Um, they look like a forest.  No leaves on the trees, on the ground.

Ms. I – Why weren’t the leaves on the trees?

M.C. – Cause I think it’s almost summer.

Ms. I – Is there anyone else who would like to share their experience of the Sugar Bush?

A. M. – Because the wind was blowing the leaves, it was windy and the leaves were going on the ground.

Ms. I – Do you think that all those leaves on the ground were from the fall?  Why?

A.M. – Yes, because it was windy and then the ground turned muddy.   I rememeber when I was cutting wood.  It was fun because I liked it.  Because it was, when I was cutting the log, my hands were sticky.

Ms. I – Why?

A.M. – Maple Syrup. 

A.V. – There were a lot of trees.  There were small trees too.  It was a little bit cold cause it’s almost spring.  The snow was melting, so the ground was muddy.  

Signs of Spring

This past week, the kindergarten students explored the neighbourhood around our school searching for the signs of Spring.  

Using Twitter, we connected with @RangerRidley under the hashtag #KindergartenBioBlitz. Ranger Ridley is currently the coordinator for the Peel District School Board's Outdoor Education Sites for Environmental and Character Education Programs.  #KindergartenBioBlitz are week long events encouraging students and teachers to explore the outdoors.  The focus of #KindergartenBioBlitz during the week of February 17 to 21 was for students to look for examples of the season changing. 

Twitter page of @RangerRidley

It had just finished snowing quite a bit when we set out for our first walk in search of the season changing.  We weren't really sure if we would find any evidence of Spring.  Sure enough, our students did find some signs of Spring, and they also had some questions for Ranger Ridley.  

Question #1: @RangerRidley #KindergartenBioBlitz
Why is it cold and snowing if the sun is out today?

Response: @ElissaIagallo Hi! Good Q! The sun is out -
but not as long as we aren't getting the power of
the sun either... but it's getting warmer!

Question #2: @RangerRidley #KindergartenBioBlitz
We saw lots of nests, but no birds today. Where are all the birds?

Response: @ElissaIagallo Keep those eyes open - they are there!
I'm setting up the sugar bush & have seen lots - maybe more in the forest today?

Question #3: @RangerRidley #KindergartenBioBlitz
Why do pinecone trees have "leaves" and the other trees don't?

Response: @ElissaIagallo Evergreen trees lose their needles too -
just not all at once... great place for wildlife in winter to stay warm & hide.

The students were excited that Ranger Ridley replied to their outdoor wonders.  Many of the students in our class are not familiar with Twitter.  Being able to send and receive messages that students were interested in, helped students better understand and connect with this social media tool.  

What was so great about Ranger Ridley's responses was that he answered questions with questions!  This gave us the opportunity to have class discussions and further investigate the outdoors.  

For example, some students were curious about which animals stayed warm and hide in the evergreen trees during the winter months.  They made a list of guesses, and then we formed a question to ask Ranger Ridley. "@Ranger Ridley #KindergartenBioBlitz Who stays warm in the evergreen trees during the winter? We guessed birds, chipmunks, bunnies & wolves."  Ranger Ridley responded to us by saying "@ElissaIagallo All correct! Deer "yard" there as snow is not as deep. Chickaddes hide there for warmth as do squirrels #KindergartenBioBlitz"

Our Response to Question #2: "#KindergartenBioBlitz Hey @Ranger Ridley
we kept our eyes open & found lots of birds this afternoon, and a squirrel!"

Ranger Ridley Responded: "@ElissaIagallo Grey squirrels -
down south all are grey, up north all black - in our area few of each.
Black fur keeps them warm where colder?"

Our Response to Question #1: "@RangerRidley #KindergartenBioBlitz
Lots of puddles today! Does this mean the power of the sun is getting stronger?"

Ranger Ridley Responded: "@ElissaIagallo Good point! Where are puddles
forming the most? ie dark road or the lighter sidewalk?
Any ideas why? #KindergartenBioBlitz"

This coming week the kindergarten students will be busy investigating Ranger Ridley's responses and questions.  

Ms. Marrella and I both agreed that this has been a great experience for our students. #KindergartenBioBlitz encourages outdoor environmental education with a 21st Century twist to it.  Being able to actually connect and dialogue with someone like Ranger Ridley through twitter provides students with motivation to further explore, while creating a bond and relationship with a naturalist.      

Our kindergarten students reflected on their first
week communicating with Ranger Ridley through #KindergartenBioBlitz