Planning of the Bird unit

Why a bird unit?

Reason 1 - They are in an around us.

So Ananya has been really interested in birds since we chanced upon a humming bird on our society walk.

I showed her a short Nat-geo video on humming bird here and she has loved humming birds ever since. This is a short 2 minute video , and we do not harm our eyes at all if we see it twice a day. Please note I follow a no screen policy with A, and the child has been cooperating till now. So after we see a video we say "Bbye" to our device and move on immediately to non screen activities.


She Lovved it. So, I thought I will augment her learning a bit in this direction.

Reason 2 - Already completed unit on a particular bird - Penguin

Another reason why we chose birds was Penguins - another bird she loves and we covered them end to end through a special unit.

Montessori themes usually start like pick a piece go deep into it - and then deep dive into each component separately one by one. So extending units one after another is ideal. Because there is constant revision & mind map drawn within a child.

After deciding that it would be "Birds"

  • Choose a central theme - Say "World around us"
  • Then it can be broken into  :
    • Birds around us
    • Bugs around us
    • Continents in the world
etc. etc. 

So, after completing the penguin unit end to end we thought we could move in the direction of more continents - places on earth other than Antarctica OR we could know more birds.

I was dead confused about all this - so I asked Ananya what do you want to know Continents or birds ?

Image from https://www.everystarisdifferent.com/2013/02/birds.html

Letting her choose it - because mom is confused ! And she immediately replied birds !!! I was happy.

Planning the unit - Elements :

My units always have below - using several modes to reaffirm the unit is great idea to not bore the kids & keep learning engaging -

  1. Book
  2. Real imagery cards for recoginition
  3. Some puzzles
  4. Activity sheets 
  5. Crafts 
etc. etc. 

And maybe some more practical activities we stumble upon....

Resources finalized

1. Book(s)

Below options considered on book on birds - 

a) 100 Indian Birds: The Big Little Nature Book 

Was reviewed has one having smaller font although good price range

b) A World of Birds Hardcover by vicky woodgate


https://www.amazon.in/dp/1787410390/?coliid=I1FQVVSHD322YE&colid=15ZFA5D0RO4LO&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it


This was a great option -- I was looking for closer to reality illustrations or Real pictures so this was great..
This is very close to what I finally plan to buy. 

c) The Big Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer



I purchased this one finally because of a page on Humming Birds i found in the amazon reviews - 
And I could just imagine Ananya reading this page and feeling oh so piqued & wonderous.
Added to cart & Purchased


2. Real imagery cards 

Simple Google search revealed many options, but I was looking for something with real imagery


Looked Fab.

Just ordered

3. Puzzles

Frank puzzle undoubtedly - value for money





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That'it folks - will DO all this and share and update.

You also please chime in with points that could be added to this as to how to make this theme more engaging !!!

Till then Take care of your loved ones. Stay safe. Have a great day !


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