STEM PB #3 - The Winter Bird

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Today’s pick is a sweet story by Kate Banks called The Winter Bird. This is a perfect book for this time of year as the seasons change. There are many ELA and Science integrations that would create a powerful lesson! The beautiful illustrations by Suzie Mason make this a picture book that kids will love.

Featured Picture Book:
The Winter Bird (2022)
By Kate Banks (@KateBanksBooks)
​Illustrated by Suzie Mason

Summary:
A nightingale with a broken wing is unable to leave for the winter. Many animals in the forest help care for the bird and teach it to survive the winter, sharing resources and company. The nightingale learns about winter and celebrates with the others when spring returns.

Related Themes and Standards:
SEL:

• Friendship
• Sharing
• Caring about others

ELA:

• Personification
• Metaphors

Science:

• Migration
• Animal Adaptations
• Seasons
• Habitats

STEM Ideas:
1. Engineer a new nest for the nightingale designed to keep it safe and warm for the winter. Students could use natural materials from outside or recycled materials.

2. Engineer objects to keep the nightingale warm (in the story it is given extra feathers and nutshell “slippers” from other animals).

3. Make snow using one of these simple recipes and experiment with how it felt to the nightingale. Students could create a snow cave for the nightingale to live in.

4. Use Canva (or another program) to create a thank you note the nightingale could send to the other animals for all their help.

5. Spread white packing peanuts on the floor and have students program a robot to get through the snow to a nest or cave.

6. Engineer a bird feeder that will help birds in the area during the upcoming winter months.

7. Research the animals mentioned in the book and create a class book using Book Creator or other program.

Would love for you to share your ideas! We're better together!