Innovative Flight Plans!

 During one of our "Innovations" discussions  Kindergartners  listened to stories  about the life of artist/ sculptor/inventor (among other things) Leonardo Da Vinci.  We were intrigued by his interest in so many things and the way he sketched out his ideas (using "brown ink and old paper") in a notebook.  We also found out from a personal account that Da Vinci had a special interest in birds,  flight, and flying machines.  He studied these creatures extensively and created detailed sketches of birds wings.  

Kindergartners  then put on their own ornithologist hats and investigated flight.  We began by tossing soft balls across the room and noted flight (and crash) patterns, velocity, and altitude.  (How else could you justify throwing 150 balls across a classroom!:) 

Later in the week we boarded our school bus and ventured out to see my friend Mr. Noel Roach.  I happened to meet  Mr. Roach last year when I was drawn to his yard while meandering through his neighborhood.  The chorus of birds singing was  hard to resist!  I went up and introduced myself to Mr. Roach as he worked diligently in his garage on a sturdy birdhouse.  He happily allowed me to tour the rest of his birdhouse collection that literally covered the expanse of his property.  He even designed a whimsical "birdy outhouse" and a house out of a worn tea kettle!   I returned with the Kindergartners for a visit in the fall of that year and Mr. Roach even gave us one of his houses. 

We we warmly greeted by my friend Mr. Roach!

 This year, I returned with our current Kindergartners who squealed with delight even as we pulled up to the house!  Mr. Roach did not brave the cold but once again graciously allowed us to peruse his yard.  Before our tour, however, the children presented him with beautiful pictures of birds-one even included an attached origami bird!  He admired each drawing and watched us with delight as we admired his work.  He also shared  that he now has over 60 birdhouses displayed!   We promised to return in the spring- maybe even for Mr. Roach's 98th birthday! 

We explored a sea of various styled bird houses!

Mr. Roach stayed cozy warm inside due to the chilly
 weather but watched us delight in his creations.

An oasis for parched feathered friends 

Our Math activity included trying to count all of the houses.

 

Just when we thought we had counted them all, still more
dwellings were found on the side and back of the house.

Mr. Roach invited us to come back to visit him in the Spring!