Can You Hear It? {Art Friday}

This particular book has been on my wish list for a while and I was super excited to add it to our collection this year. It's a book of various artists and a cd with music to go along with it. Each page has questions about the music to inspire little ones. The kids LOVE it. I intended to do a page a week but we went through the whole book the first day and it has a coveted place on our bookshelf. 

I pulled out our instrument three part cards (from Peter and the Wolf) and did a three part lesson on a few of the instruments while we listened to some of the music. 

There are so many extensions. Listen to the music and count the beats. Listen to more from the composer or search for more art work from the artist. You could easily do a lesson on Bees after listening to the flight of the bumblebee. We are excited to get to know these artists and their works in the coming months! 

Have fun appreciating art this week! 

Bird Unit

This week we've been busy going through a unit on birds.

 Our basket contained: bird seed, flowers, small clay pot and moss.

We started learning about the types of beaks that birds have using a free printable from Montessori Print Shop. 

Barrett took some time photographing the birds that visit our feeder outside. 

We also tried to identify what type of birds by using a local wild life guide. It was a great time to go over animals tracks. We have the Animal Track Cards from Montessori for Everyone. (Free) Another resource: Animal Track Three Part Cards from Montessori Print. 

 Our attempt at making birds nests out of yarn and glue. Barrett's was the only one that somewhat resembled a nest... it was still fun though!  

Here is an easy art project. You can print this out at Kimboomu Kids Songs Bird. The kids love the song Green Grass Grows all Around.

Barrett also worked really hard on the Kindergarten bird packet from Homeschool Creations. You can find an amazing amount of links for inspiration. The math game was by far the favorite.

And... if you would love to see some more ideas check out Living Montessori Now's Bird Unit Pinterest page with more than enough activities to last your kids through highschool (just kidding...)