Eggciting Facts

The Nature Friends program is for 4 or 5-year old children with an adult. The maximum group size is 20 child-adult teams. Programs are outside unless weather does not permit.

Story

Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones by Ruth Heller

Discussion

• What are the parts of an egg? (Use felt board and parts of egg felt pieces)
• Eggshell – used by the baby bird to form its bones, as the bones get stronger the eggshell gets weaker
• Yolk – food for the baby bird
• Air sac – pocket of air that the baby chick uses to start breathing before it hatches
• Membranes – thin skins that help the egg breath, keep the egg from drying out
• Egg white – contains mostly water, protects the chick so it won’t get germs
• “What animals come from eggs?” (Show an example of each)
• Insects
• Fish
• Amphibians – jelly like eggs that need to be laid in the water
• Reptiles – tough leathery shells
• You can make a reptile egg by soaking a chicken egg in vinegar for 1-2 days.
• Birds – hard egg shell
• Discuss how bird nests are different sizes and are made with different materials.
• Show students the size of an eagle’s nest, than have students sit in the nest. Count the number of students it takes to fill it. Discuss that an eagle will make a nest of sticks and lays 2- 3 eggs.
• Mammals – platypus and spiny anteater also lay eggs!
• Show real eggs.