We’ve had so much fun with our vertebrate series that we’re continuing this month with a bird unit! So far, we’ve had amphibian, reptile, and fish units. (You can probably guess what our unit next month will be!)
Here, you’ll find links to free bird printables used to prepare hands-on activities and a new Montessori-inspired bird pack for our newsletter subscribers’ resource library!
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links (at no cost to you).
M0ntessori Shelves with Bird-Themed Activities
Montessori Shelves with Bird-Themed Activities
You’ll find Montessori-inspired bird-themed numbers, letters, and and more (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber) Note: The Montessori-inspired bird pack isn’t designed as a complete bird unit but as supplemental materials. I design the packs using realistic images that I’ve often looked for when preparing a unit study (such as font cards and phonogram cards featuring the letter and phonogram related to the theme and math cards with realistic images that fit the theme and can be adapted for math activities at a variety of levels.)
You could mix your bird-themed activities among your shelves according to curriculum area. Or you could have a special bird-themed area something like the one pictured. My shelves at the beginning of our unit have a mixture of skill levels. Many of the activities can be adapted for a variety of levels. Many of these are designed for early elementary as well as preschoolers. If you’re a homeschooler, just choose the activities that work for your child’s interests and ability levels. If you don’t have room for all the activities you’d like to do, simply rotate them.
Montessori Shelves with Bird-Themed Activities and Paul Klee Art Print
Notice the framed art print Landscape with Yellow Birds (1923) by Paul Klee. It’s a free download from Wikiart. For our monthly featured art print, I purchased a Li’l DAVINCI art frame that opens in the front for easily changing a free art masterpiece printable or vintage illustration to fit with the month’s theme. The frame can be switched from horizontal to vertical without changing the hanger, which is perfect!
If you’re wondering about the rugs and rug box I use, both the rugs and wooden rug holder are from Montessori Services. I love the Montessori Services rugs and rug holder! I used to use an umbrella stand something like these. I loved that for 1-3 rugs, but I needed something different when I had more grandchildren and some projects that needed more than one rug.
Favorite Shelves, Trays, Baskets, and More for Montessori Homeschoolers
I often get asked about the trays, baskets, etc., that I use, so I published a post with many of the items. You can find lots of helpful resources here. They’re not all essential, so don’t feel you need to have everything. Just choose what’s best for your budget and your unique family’s needs. You’ll find more ideas in the Living Montessori Now Amazon shop
Bird-Themed Books for Kids
Even though I have books on shelves, I’m now keeping many of my themed books in a forward-facing display after placing a plant where the themed book basket was before. Most of my seasonal books are now in that book basket.
For toddlers and preschoolers, about ¾ of the books I use are typically Montessori friendly (focusing on reality without smiling or talking animals or smiling or talking vehicles). (Note: Our forward-facing bookcase has all Montessori-friendly, nonfiction books at the moment. I have some fun fiction bird books on another shelf.)
Books for a Bird Unit
Top Shelf of Main Themed Shelf:
- Birds Everywhere is part of a great series illustrated by Britta Teckentrup.
- The Big Book of Birds is part of a great series (I have the whole series)!
- Bird Pages from DK’s First Animal Encyclopedia
- The Egg (First Discovery Books) is a fun nonfiction book because of its 8 transparent overlay pages. I have the original version from when my now-adult kids were little, but it’s now available in paperback
Top Shelf of Forward -Facing Display:
- Nature Anatomy
- Animal Classification: Birds
- National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Birds is from one of my favorite kids’ book series. I absolutely love the photographs in National Geographic kids’ books, and the information is inviting and easy to understand.
2nd Shelf:
- About Birds
- Beautiful Birds (This series (I have and recommend the whole set) is great for young readers and preschoolers who are learning about animal classifications!)
- Birds, Nests and Eggs has lots of information about 15 common birds along with a few bird-themed activities. The illustrations are clear and inviting, and the information is easy to understand.
3rd Shelf:
- The Little Book of Backyard Bird Songs is one of the very few items with a battery that I
like for young children. It’s an inviting way for children to learn to identify a variety of bird songs. Not only is there a clear image and description of each bird but the book includes each bird’s scientific name, where found, what it feeds on, its nest, its eggs, adult characteristics, and length. Of course, the best part is the set of buttons with a bird-head button that plays each bird’s unique song. Recommended for ages 5-9, although I love it for toddlers on up! - My grandkids all loved The Little Book of Backyard Bird Songs so much that I ordered The Little Book of Woodland Bird Songs. This has been so popular with them, especially the silly sound of the common loon.
- The Little Book of the Dawn Chorus is another awesome book from the series. (Note: Over the years, I’ve purchased every book in the series because my grandkids love them so much, and they’ve learned so much from them!)
like for young children. It’s an inviting way for children to learn to identify a variety of bird songs. Not only is there a clear image and description of each bird but the book includes each bird’s scientific name, where found, what it feeds on, its nest, its eggs, adult characteristics, and length. Of course, the best part is the set of buttons with a bird-head button that plays each bird’s unique song. Recommended for ages 5-9, although I love it for toddlers on up!4th Shelf:
- The Little Book of Wetland Bird Sounds is another awesome book from the series but unavailable right now. (Note: Over the years, I’ve purchased every book in the series because my grandkids love them so much, and they’ve learned so much from them!)
- National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America has beautiful photographs of over 150 species of birds. (Recommended for ages 8-12, but younger children will enjoy the photos and learning some details about a variety of birds.)
- Backyard Birds (Peterson’s Field Guides for Young Naturalists) is a detailed field guide for kids that’s recommended for ages 8-12. Younger children could enjoy the drawings and photographs and learn a variety of details, too.
- Songbirds (Peterson’s Field Guides for Young Naturalists) is another detailed field guide for kids
Bottom Shelf
- The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubonis wonderful. This Montessori-friendly book is recommended for ages 4-7.
- The Ultimate Hummingbird Book has lots of great information about our featured bird.
- About Hummingbirds
Some other animal and bird books we’re using:
- Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth
- DK Smithsonian Animal Book
- National Geographic Kids Little Kids First Big Book of Animals
- The Animal Book: A Visual Encyclopedia of Life on Earth is great for plant and animal classification as well as animal themes.
- DK Smithsonian Animal Book
- Animalium: Welcome to the Museum
- Bird pages from My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things
- Books from my Best Bird Books for Kids post.
You can see lots of the bird books as they’re published here.
Birds Everywhere Book with Montessori Parts of a Bird Puzzle and Booklet Making
Birds Everywhere Book with Montessori Parts of a Bird Puzzle and Booklet Making
The book is Birds Everywhere. This is part of a great series illustrated by Britta Teckentrup.
Free Printables: Parts of a Bird Printables from All Day Primary (There are a variety of parts of a bird printables. I used the bird 3-part cards, writing sheets (for booklet making), and definition cards. There are options for a number of ages and levels. The labels for the puzzle are cut out from the Parts of the Bird Definitions Stage 2.
The Montessori bird puzzle can be used in a variety of ways. For older kids, I like to have them build the puzzle outside the frame and/or add labels to the parts of the bird.
The Big Book of Birds with Parts of a Flamingo and Flamingo Alphabet Cards in Print and Cursive
The Big Book of Birds with Parts of a Flamingo and Flamingo Alphabet Cards in Print and Cursive
Free Printable: Parts of a Flamingo 3-Part Cards with Parts in Red or Pink at Montessori Print Shop or Parts of a Flamingo 3-Part Cards with Parts in Pink by Montessori Print Shop at TPT. These can be used as traditional 3-part cards. There are also blank flamingo cards for children to make their own booklets.
The Big Book of Birds is part of a great series (I have the whole series)! The book even has two pages about flamingos!
Free Printable: Flamingo alphabet cards in manuscript and cursive (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber)
There are so many ways to use the flamingo alphabet cards! Just choose a way that works for your child’s age and ability level. (See my previous units for ideas.)
Bird Pages from First Animal Encyclopedia with Bird Life Cycle, Eggs, and Birds of the Continents Materials in the Background
Bird Pages from First Animal Encyclopedia with Bird Life Cycle, Eggs, and Birds of the Continents Materials in the Background
I’ve often used pages from DK’s First Animal Encyclopedia (the book on our book easel). The book has lots of great 2-page spreads. See below for information about the bird life cycle, eggs, and birds of the continents materials in the background.
Birds Birdseed Writing Tray with Movable Alphabet Spelling
Birds Birdseed Writing Tray with Movable Alphabet Spelling
Free Printables: /b/ for birds and /ir/ in birds phonogram for salt or sand writing tray (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber). They come in print, D’Nealian, and cursive. The /ir/ in bird (singular) phonogram card is from our backyard birds pack and unit (still available).
You’ll see a variety of simple letter writing trays in my previous unit study posts. I often used the wooden tray from the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Shapes. You can use whatever tray or container work best for you, though.
The sandpaper letters I use are available in print or cursive.
I typically now use this lovely spelling/alphabet tray from FamilyTreeWW on Etsy. I like it for writing more than one letter or spelling words. (Note: If that sand tray is currently unavailable, you’ll find lots of other options for Montessori sand trays on Etsy.)
I added birdseed and a cardinal, yellow tanager, and pileated woodpecker from the Safari Ltd. Backyard Birds TOOB.
If you would like help with introducing phonetic sounds, introducing objects with sounds, or beginning phonics in general, check out my DIY Beginning Montessori Phonics with Preschoolers.
Ing in Hummingbird with King of Ing Book
Ing in Hummingbird with King of Ing Book
Free Printable: /ing/ in hummingbird (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber)
Free Printable: The King of Ing Phonics Reader by Caitlyn Hynst at TPT
The King of Ing is a fun way to reinforce /ing/ in words for kids who are working on the green language series. It even fits with a bird theme, since the king has a flamingo, likes bird watching, and likes to look at the wings.
Hummingbird and Flower Addition with More Than Two Addends
Hummingbird and Flower Addition with More Than Two Addends
Free Printable: Hummingbird numbers and number spinner 1-10 (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber)
I also used wood flower buttons and chose 10 red flowers, 10 orange flowers, and 10 yellow flowers for hands-on addition work.
For an early activity using 3 addends, I like to make a simple story problem, such as “The hummingbird visits ___ red flowers, ___ orange flowers, and ___yellow flowers. How many flowers does he visit altogether? The child spins the spinner to find the number of each. At the end, we’ll read the equation (8+9+6=23 in this example).
You can also use the spinner for a child simply counting numbers 1-10. There’s even one for the numbers 1-5 only. For example, you could ask, “How many red flowers did the hummingbird sip nectar from?” Actually, hummingbirds sip nectar from 1,000-2,000 flowers each day, so this would have to be a much shorter time period!
There are so many different activities you can prepare using the math cards! You’ll find many ideas in our previous units.
Matching Parts of a Bird to the Whole Bird
Matching Parts of a Bird to the Whole Bird
Free Printable: Match Birds Game by Mom’s Treasure at TPT
I often read a book or two about our topic before we do a themed lesson. Animal Classification: Birds and About Birds are two of the books we’re using for our unit that have lots of easy-to-understand information about birds.
There are 14 different birds in the printable. I just chose 12 for ease of layout. You can keep the bird and parts of the bird attached for younger children and have them identify the parts on the whole bird. For older children, I would cut the pieces apart, lay them out something like the photo, and have the child match the parts-of-the-bird strips to the whole bird.
Bird Origami
Bird Origami Activity
Montessori Shelf with Bird Life Cycle, Eggs, and Birds of the Continents Materials
Montessori Shelf with Bird Life Cycle, Eggs, and Birds of the Continents Materials
The Egg (First Discovery Books) is a fun nonfiction book because of its 8 transparent overlay pages. I have the original version from when my now-adult kids were little, but it’s now available in paperback.
These printables aren’t free, but they’re awesome for a bird unit!
The anatomy of a bird’s egg activities are part of the lovely (and inexpensive) 99-page Birds Unit Study by BabyKookoo on Etsy. I have the Anatomy of Bird’s Egg printables on the easel, including a cut-and-paste activity. I used the simpler life cycle wooden tray materials that I already had to go with the Safari Ltd. Life Cycle of a Chicken figures that we had. (Note: There are other options for bird life cycle figures now available as well.) I’ll be using a number of the Birds Unit Study printables from BabyKookoo later on in the unit.
If you purchased the Spring Mega Bundle when it was available in March, you’ll have access to the Spring Easter Egg Anatomy Bundle by TheMamaCurate on Etsy. On the easel, I have the Extraordinary Eggs poster and Eggs Large and Small Poster (about the hummingbird and African ostrich eggs. The eggs in the basket are the life-size eggs printed and cut out. Each egg looks like the egg of the species, and is the size of the species’ eggs. I love it! My 9-year-old granddaughter, Zoey, saw the activity after I had put it on the shelf and was fascinated with it. She showed her sister and cousin the different eggs, especially pointing out the size of the hummingbird egg! (Note: If you didn’t get the Spring Mega Bundle and would like the cut-out eggs only, you can get the Spring Egg Nature Cut-Outs Printable at Etsy.)
The Matching Eggs and Birds and Sorting Birds by Continents activities are from Every Star Is Different’s Birds Printable Pack. They have amazing printables for both vertebrates and invertebrates that are designed for preschool through elementary. You can see their vertebrate printables (including the birds printable pack) in my review post. We’ll be using a number of their other bird printables later in our unit.
Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden
My featured bird this unit is the hummingbird! We live in San Diego, where we have 3 species of hummingbirds. One of those is Anna’s hummingbird. The photo on the math cards is the male Anna’s hummingbird.
We’re still setting up our hummingbird and butterfly garden on our balcony. Our butterfly garden is ready and has two monarch chrysalises already! I had a firecracker plant on our balcony railing a week ago and attracted two hummingbirds. After we planted the plants in planters, we didn’t see the hummingbirds again. So now we’re planning to get two hanging plants with red flowers that hummingbirds love for our balcony archways to attract hummingbirds to our hummingbird and butterfly garden. More on it later!
Free Montessori-Inspired Bird Pack
Montessori-Inspired Bird Pack for DIY Cards and Counters, Number or Letter Matching, Number or Letter Basket, Bead Bar Work, Hands-on Math Operations, Number or Letter Salt/Sand Writing Tray, Letter Tracing, DIY Movable Alphabet, and Creative Writing (subscriber freebie, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password – or check your inbox if you’re already a subscriber).
MORE BIRD RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES
Montessori-Inspired Backyard Bird Pack for DIY Cards and Counters, Number or Letter Matching, Number or Letter Basket, Bead Bar Work, Hands-on Math Operations, Number or Letter Salt/Sand Writing Tray, Letter Tracing, DIY Movable Alphabet, and Creative Writing (subscriber freebie, so just sign up for my newsletter to get the link and password – or check your inbox if you’re already a subscriber).
Free Backyard Bird Printables and Montessori-Inspired Backyard Bird Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Bird Unit
- Montessori-Inspired Life Cycle Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Arctic and Antarctic Unit {Hundreds of Resources}
- Montessori-Inspired Continent Activities – Penguins of Antarctica
- Montessori-Inspired Multi-Level Penguin Activities
- Free Penguin Printables and Montessori-Inspired Penguin Activities
- Free Penguin Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Penguin Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download
- Simple Arctic vs. Antarctic Cut-and-Paste Activity {Free Printables}
- Free Penguin Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Arctic vs. Antarctic Songs and Educational Videos
- Easy and Fun Antarctic Sensory Bin for Winter or Summer
- Free Owl Printables and Montessori-Inspired Owl Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Owl Unit with Free Printables and Activities
- Great Horned Owl Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download
- Montessori Nature Tray with Owl-Themed Craft and Art Appreciation
- Free Owl Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download
- Free Nest Printables and Montessori-Inspired Nest Activities
- Free Nest Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Montessori Nature Tray with Bird-Themed Nest Building and Art Appreciation
- Free Bird Sounds, Songs, and Rhymes for Circle Time
- The Best Nest Books for Kids
- Free Nest Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Montessori-Inspired Fun with Easter Eggs and Oviparous Animals
- Free Duckling Printables and Montessori-Inspired Duckling Activitie
- Free Make Way for Ducklings Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- The Best Duck and Duckling Books for Kids
- Fun 100 Board Extension – Count 100 Ducks {Free Printable}
- Free Duckling Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Oviparous Animal Printables and Montessori-Inspired Oviparous Animal Activities
- Free Oviparous Animal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Egg Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Oviparous Animal Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download
- Penguin Game, Puzzle, and Editable Tracing Pack in Print or Cursive
- Bird Unit Study Pinterest Board
FREE Warbler and Yellow Warbler Do-a-Dot Printables (Montessori-Inspired Phonics Instant Download)
FREE Backyard Bird Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download
Helpful Animal Classification Posts
- Living and Non-Living
- Plant and Animal Sorting
- Montessori Animal Classification
- Free Zoo Printables and Montessori-Inspired Zoo Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Animal Units
- Montessori Vertebrate Resources for Preschool Through Elementary
- Free Amphibian Printables and Montessori-Inspired Amphibian Activities
- Free Reptile Printables and Montessori-Inspired Reptile Activities
- Free Fish Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fish Activities
- Free Bird Printables and Montessori-Inspired Bird Activities post
- Montessori Invertebrate Resources for Preschool Through Elementary
If you’d like ideas for calendar-based themes throughout July and August, see my July Themed Activities for Kids and August Themed Activities for Kids.
I hope you enjoy your bird study as much as we will!
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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WOW this is jam-packed with goodness, I can’t even begin to describe how excited I am – this will be my first attempt at a unit/themed study with my toddler and I’m so grateful for your resource. THANK YOU SO MUCH for this!!
My pleasure! I’m so glad I can help! I hope you have a wonderful time with your themed study! 🙂 Deb