It was NSS, Aura Parker's Bowerbird Blues and thus bowerbirds that started me off on this animals as builders idea, so here are some ideas and books I will use for a bowerbird display.
Bowerbirds are native to New Guinea and Australia. To attract their mates, the males (who have plain plumage), build elaborate, colour-sorted nests from sticks and interesting found objects (often garbage).
Bowerbird Blues is a great book for a whole school focus. There is so much to explore. Start with this article where Aura talks about her book. See Teaching Ideas. There is also an abundance of worksheet units available to buy for this book. Many of them include busywork such as wordfinds and colouring sheets. I don't think you need to resort to most of them, unless they involve doing something such as building a bower or finding out more about bowerbirds. Melbourne Zoo has bower building instructions too. I plan to share some of these companion reads and ensure that the children do lots of talking.
• The Bowerbird by Julia Donaldson and Catherine Rayner
• You and the Bowerbird by Maria Gianferrari and Maris Wicks
This book is expensive in Australia, but you may find a library that has it.
• Birds of a Feather Bowerbirds and Me by Susan L Roth
You can see the book here.
• Bowerbird Loves Blue by Catherine Prentice
• Bower Bird's Blue Book by Angela & Patrick Bier
• The Owlet Nightjar and the Bowerbird
This amazing resource has the story in English and in an Aboriginal language. In 2022, Sharing Stories Foundation partnered with Purnululu Aboriginal Independent Community School in the remote community of Woorreranginy (Frog Hollow), in Western Australia on the creative interpretation of an important Ngarranggarnim (Dreaming) story.
• Bowerbirds! by Donna L. HuntrissYou can read this book on Trove .
No comments:
Post a Comment