Woodpeckers
Introduction
Football helmet- cushioning against drumming
Chisel- beak used to peck in wood
Picture of a bike kickstand- stiff tail helps to prop woodpeckers up when drumming
Drum- woodpeckers drum to attract a make and say this is my tree, my woods so if you’re a woodpecker live somewhere else
Party favor (the kind you blow)- long skinny tongue that can snake down holes in the tree
Ladder- special climbing feet. Tow toes forward, two toes backward… specialized for climbing
Centers
Bagel Suet Feeder- Spread Crisco on a bagel (flat side) and then place it in birdseed. Tie yarn around it for hanging outside. Materials: 6 bagels (dried out), Crisco, yarn, birdseed in a tub, dried raisins, newspaper, baggies, permanent markers.
Stringing Peanuts- String peanuts onto a pipe cleaner. Materials: Peanuts in the shell that already have holes in them, pipe cleaners, needles, yarn.
Rhythm Tapping- Have children tap out a simple rhythm played by the adult. Materials: Rhythm sticks, suggested tapping cards, sound of woodpeckers tapping.
Playing with Bird Seed- Tubs of birdseed, funnels, cups, spoons, measuring cups, etc…
Bird Observation- Materials: Binoculars, bird books
Acorns/logs- Put acorns into holes in a log. Materials: two logs with holes in them, a bag of acorns.
Feather Sorting- Give students a variety of feathers (purchased from a craft store) and have them sort them according to color, type, size, pattern, etc…
Song
The woodpecker clings
On the edge of a tree
Drumming on bark
For bugs you see
Chorus:
Chick a boom, chick a boom
Tap, tap, tap
Chick a boom, chick a boom
Tap, tap, tap
Ants, beetles
Spiders, grubs
Any kind of buy
Woodpeckers love
Chorus
Is very long tongue
Snakes down the hole
To find ants to eat
Is its goal
Chorus
I wish I could climb
Like woodpeckers do
But I’d need special feet Toes in twos
Chorus
Activities provided by:
Story County Conservation
Linda Zaletel
56461 180th St.
Ames, IA 50010
Story County Conservation
_ 0-1
✓ 1-2
✓ 2-3
_ 3-4
_ 4-5
_ 5-6
Category: Adult-Child
Time:
30 minutes
Season:
spring, summer, fall
Iowa Early Learning Standards:
1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.4, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.3
Related Kindernature Resources: Other Resources:
