N is for nest handprint and this opens the door for a wonderful and exciting bird unit study. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.
This unit will keep your preschooler busy and entertained while they learn all about the world of birds.
You can study birds, their habits and diet.
And focus on birds in your area, as well as the types of nests that they build.
This is a wonderful zoology unit for preschoolers. You don’t even have to leave your backyard to study these creatures.
I have hands-on fun, fingerplays and tasty on-theme snacks.
Also, there are colorful storybooks as well as living science books.
Spread it out over a week.
Or do a couple of days each week to make a longer, low-stress unit for learning about the letter N.
Be sure and get out this week on a few nature walks. Try to locate different bird nests and birds in the area.
More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities
- Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study
- Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study
- Alphabet Letter H Handprint Craft For Fun Preschool Horse Study
- How To Make An Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity | 5 Preschool Letter T Crafts
- Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile
- Alphabet Letter M is for Monkey Handprint Preschool Fun Monkey Study
- Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask
- W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
- Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study
- Alphabet Letter N Is For Nest Handprint & Fun Nests Preschool Craft
- B is for Bird Craft | Free Preschool Bluebird Study
- X is for X Ray Craft | Unique Crayon Resist Skeleton
Language Arts Focus Day 1
N-n-n-n is for nest, begin your day and each day of the study by repeating the sound for N. Too, share a few words that begin with it.
Letter/Sound Recognition N is for nest handprint – Letter N Song introduces not only the sound N makes but the fact that it is a consonant. And there are a plethora of words that begin with N in a catchy repetitive way.
Book- Take your child through a fun lesson on the different animals that utilize nests by simply reading a story and looking at pictures in A Nest is Noisy.
Craft/Activity- The CUTEST bird nest sensory bin.
Song/Fingerplay- You can learn the simple motions for Here is a Nest For a Robin in this video and teach them to your child to use throughout the week.
Snack- How sweet is this little bird in a nest? A light snack that is a wonderful way to kick off your bird study –Birdie Kix Snack.
Science Focus Day 2
By preschool, most children understand that birds build and live in nests, they might not know that many animals make their home in what is still called a nest.
This is a great opportunity to talk about using books videos and other resources to share different types of nests.
Letter/Sound Recognition- Grab a set of do-a-dots if you don’t already have them, they are useful for structured activities like the Letter N Dot Painting page but kids also love them for open-ended art.
Book- Birds, Nests, and Eggs is a wonderful book that makes a great field guide as well as a reference for home use.
Craft/Activity- Make a little tray of playdough, birds, and small twigs, leaves, and bits from the yard. Build different bird nests with playdough like a cup nest, cavity, and pendant Playdough is For The Birds.
Song/Fingerplay- Found a Feather to the tune of Oh My Darling Clementine.
Snack- This snack is a simple idea that can be gathered with a variety of things you have you your pantry.
Gather up some items that birds eat like nuts, seeds, and small fruits, (maybe gummy worms for fun) to create this Bird-themed snack.
Math Focus Day 3
Count eggs cut out of construction paper then practice adding or subtracting one or two.
Make piles of different amounts and teach your child more or less, cut eggs of different sizes out and have them order them from smallest to largest.
Letter/Sound Recognition- This Cardboard Roll Letter Match Puzzle for Kids is a wonderful hands-on activity that builds fine motor skills while children learn to identify letters.
You can put just one letter in uppercase and lowercase or put several letters they are familiar with to practice.
Book- This book, Nature Anatomy, will carry you through years until it falls apart from being a well-loved favorite resource.
For birds alone, the information is plentiful from the anatomy of a bird to many common types, feathers, bird calls, different nests, eggs, bird behavior, and a wide variety of species like water birds or birds of prey.
Craft/Activity–You just need a printer and a simple egg-shaped manipulative to use these Egg Counting Mats for counting and number recognition.
Song/Fingerplay- The Bird Song for Kids is a colorful way to introduce your preschooler to a variety of birds and the different things that make them birds.
Snack- Look at this little lineup of adorable Chocolate Strawberry Birds, and create a treat that is mostly healthy with a touch of sweet treat that fits perfectly with the theme.
History/Geography Focus Day 4
Birds and nests are a great landing spot for learning about habitats that fall under geography as well as science, you don’t have to focus on nests though.
Begin there talking about how birds build their nests among humans as well as further out in more nature-related environments then expand to other animal habitats.
Letter/Sound Recognition- Jack Hartmann is a treasure for preschool songs, covering such a wide variety including specific to each letter of the alphabet like The Letter N, even demonstrating how to write it in the air.
Book- Bird Builds a Nest is a science storybook telling the story of a little bird doing what birds do, building a strong and secure nest for her future baby
Craft/Activity- Handprint bird nest- See below for instructions.
As your child glues on the additional items for their nest talk about how birds gather items and build their nest as well as what they use them for.
Song/Fingerplay- If you are not already familiar with it The Green Grass Grows All Around is lively and repeats verses over and over building from a hole in the ground to a nest, the prettiest nest that you ever did see and beyond.
Snack- Owl Strawberries (in a nest) are just darling and are a healthy snack with just a bit of sweetness added to create a fun treat that they will love.
Alphabet Letter N Is For Nest Handprint Books and Resources
Add these fun books and resources to make learning fun for your preschooler.
Fans will rejoice at the first sight of A Nest Is Noisy," promises School Library Journal, and they're right. From the award-winning creators of An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, A Butterfly Is Patient, A Rock Is Lively, and A Beetle Is Shy comes this gorgeous and informative look at the fascinating world of nests, from those of tiny bee hummingbirds to those of orangutans high in the rainforest canopy. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, this carefully researched book introduces children to a captivating array of nest facts and will spark the imaginations of children whether in a classroom reading circle or on a parent's lap.
This dot markers set contains 15 basic colors: red, orange red, orange, yellow, emerald green, green sky blue, blue, violet purple, caramel, sepia, light gray and black. The variety of colors is that kids can create and use their imagination to paint.
A fun, informative take-along guide that will help children identify 15 birds. Kid will also learn how and where birds build their homes and all about their young. Plus, the guide features activities that are fun and easy to do. There's also a seven-page scrapbook for drawings and notes.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested. Color illustrations enhance the presentation.
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
It’s time for Bird to build her nest! Follow her as she pulls a worm out of the ground, lifts some twigs that are just the right size, and pushesthe twigs into place. Uh-oh — one of the twigs falls to the ground! But after a day of hard work, Bird’s nest is ready and waiting. Can you guess what it’s waiting for? Using simple, clear language and beautiful illustrations, this engaging story is the perfect introduction to physical forces for very young readers. A final spread with some simple questions promotes discussion with parents, teachers, or caregivers and encourages readers to think about the concepts introduced.
Named a Best Children's Science Book of the Year by Science Books & Films, this picture book shows how the birds develop inside their eggs during the spring; how they mature into fledglings in the summer; how they learn to fly in the fall; and how they leave for warmer climates in winter—only to return when spring comes around again.
This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It features rich vocabulary and beautiful spreads detailing different bird habitats and feather types. Both text and artwork were vetted for accuracy by Dr. Charles Walcott, Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology and Behavior and former director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.
Language Arts Focus Day 5
Letter/Sound Recognition- Create a Letter N Smash by writing upper and lowercase N around a piece of colorful construction paper, rolling little balls of playdough, and placing them underneath each letter.
When they find a N and make its sound they can squish the ball flat.
Book- This sweet living science book follows a family of Robins from building their nest to laying eggs up to when they fly away and start the cycle all over again.
It gives a nice infographic about the bird’s development in the egg which is great to go with this N is for nest handprint.
Craft/Activity- Roll a paper bag down and scrunch it up all around to create a basic nest shape. Write lower and uppercase ends on small slips of paper cut into an egg shape.
You could also add a few other letters your child is familiar with for review.
Pull each “egg” out of the nest and make the sound as well as ask your child to identify the name of the letter.
They can also sort lowercase and uppercase into two piles.
Song/Fingerplay- Nightingale’s Nest is a silly song that reinforces a child’s recognition of the letter N as well as repeating the sound over and over.
Snack- Let’s end the unit with these Birds Nests Cookies that demonstrate what a bird’s nest looks like and how it protects the little eggs.
Of course, it is not too cute to eat, these are just delicious and not too hard to make.
Finally, look how to make these adorable N is for nest handprint paper plate birds nest.
N is for Nest Handprint Paper Plate Birds Nest
You will need:
- Paper plate
- Brown craft paint
- White or blue construction paper
- tan/brown construction paper
- Glue stick
First, paint your child’s hand brown. Press it down into the center of the plate with the heel of the hand in the middle. Point the fingers outward toward the edges.
Repeat around the plate overlapping some with each handprint.
Allow the paint to dry.
While waiting you can cut a few egg shapes out of your colored construction paper.
Then, write lower and upper case N’s.
Next, cut small strips of brown/tan construction paper, and gather tiny twigs, string, etc..
Set out the completely dried paper plate nest with some of your N-labeled eggs. Add bits for the nest and let them glue them on to make a full comfy nest for the eggs.
This is good for building fine motor skills while you talk about how nests are built.
