Exquisite Mixed Media Bird Artwork

E is for Exquisite Mixed Media Artwork. We are continuing to work on our bird unit study through next week. This week we have been learning about song birds, perching birds, crows, pigeons, doves etc.

We read several great books. Nacho and Lolita was a really GREAT book and made this sappy momma cry. It is fabulous story and teaches a fabulous lesson. The illustrations are wonderful as well. I used this guide to help me discuss the book further with the kids.

Then we made some mixed media exquisite artwork. This was great craft and really encouraged the kids to use their creativity. They are super easy to make below are the instructions.

Materials:
-Large Piece of Paper
-Raffia, Yarn, Feathers, Dried Leaves, Cotton and other various items to build a nest
-Pom Poms
-Egg Shells (I saved some eggs shells after breakfast, cleaned them out really well and let them sit out for several days)
-RoseArt Tempera Painters
-Kid-Friendly Scissors
-Wiggle Eyes
-Yellow Felt
-RoseArt White Glue
-Hot Glue Gun
-Scissors

Instructions:
1) Have your children build a nest using the materials they have gathered.
2) After the nest is built have children make pompom babies and place them into the cleaned out egg shells. Then glue the egg shells onto the nest. You can use wiggle eyes or mini pompoms for the eyes and make a little beak out of yellow or orange felt.
3) Next you will make the mommy or daddy bird. Use the fabulous RoseArt Tempera Painters to paint your child's hand (Gwyn decided to make a colorful bird, Rowyn wanted a Bluebird). Then place your child's hand on the paper slightly above the nest, keeping their spread out as far as possible so it makes the head. Add a felt beak and wiggle eyes.
4) Children can also add clouds in clouds, a sun, a tree, etc to their picture.

While we built the nests we discussed the different types of materials and why birds would choose certain materials over others. We also discussed the different types of nest construction. And we talked a little more about bird eggs. 

And of course we wrapped it up with a couple fun videos like this one of a Robin Building a Nest and the one below.


 What kinds of scientific or artistic fun have you been having?

*Disclaimer - RoseArt (Mega Brand) supplies us with lots of wonderful products in return for honest reviews and craft project how to's. I was not compensated for my review and all opinions are our own! Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.

Linking up with this week:
Educating Laytons, Ben and Me, Slowly Natural, Upside Down Homeschooling, I Can Teach My Child, Adventures in Mommydom, A Little R & R, JDaniels4Mom, The Momma Knows, HSBA Post