Early Math Project

What does it take to build a bird’s nest?        

 

Math Connections: 

Measurement              Comparing

Counting          

 

Activities to Do Together: 

• Talk with children about comparing sizes of birds and their nests using words like bigger, smaller, heavier, and lighter.

• Discuss the different shapes, sizes, and colors of different birds. Ask your child what they think is the same with all birds and how they are different from each other.

• Go to a local park or your backyard and look for birds’ nests.

• Gather natural materials and build a nest. How much weight will the nest hold? Help your child to be persistent and encourage them to work on the nest until it will hold an object.

 

Extension Questions: 

1. What materials do you think could be used to build a nest.

2. Bald eagle nests can weigh as much as two tons. How much could three bald eagle nests weigh altogether?

3. As you are reading the book ask the child if the nest you are reading about is a small or large nest. Ask: Why do you think so?

4. Classify birds by the nests they build: cup-shaped nests, birds that do not build nests, birds that make their nests in a hole, and birds that make their nests with mud.

 

Vocabulary for Building Math Concepts: 

balance, circle, eight-foot, every, feet, fifty, flat, four, gigantic, more than, nine, one, one hundred, pair, pattern, shallow, single, six thousand, small, tall, ten, thirteen, tons, top, twenty-four, two, vertical, wide

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Please check out the Book Guide for Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest for more!

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Online External Resources for Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest:

• For more animal facts and comparisons go to National Geographic Kids There are a variety of family resources on this site that may be helpful for parents and interesting for children.

• Teacher’s Guide at Mackin.com