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Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather

Students will become bird artists as they learn about ornithologist Luis Fuertes and create their own artwork of our feathered friends.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    Read "The Sky Painter: Luis Fuertes, Bird Artist" by Margarita Engle and Aliona Bereghici. Fuertes became interested in birds at a very young age and made his first sketch at 14. He went on to become one of the most prolific American bird artists, traveling the world to study and paint his beloved creatures.

  • Step 2

    Observe examples of Fuertes' artwork. What makes them look so lifelike? Ask students to choose a bird they would like to draw and look up some facts about it - where it lives, the climate it thrives in, what kind of nest it builds, etc. Have them sketch the bird first on dark construction paper and then fill in the piece using construction paper crayons. Add background details to depict the bird's habitat.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their art and share some facts about the bird they drew.

Standards

ARTS: Analyze how art exhibited in schools, museums, galleries, virtual spaces, and other places contributes to communities.

ARTS: Analyze ways that artistic components and cultural associations influence ideas, emotions, and actions.

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Describe what living organisms have in common (eating, breathing, growing, and reproducing) and distinguish them from non-living things.

Adaptations

Research your state bird or a bird that is common in your geographic region. Draw a sketch of it, its nest, its eggs, and what it eats. Add some other interesting facts about the bird. Does it migrate? What kind of sounds does it make? How many eggs does it lay per season? What is its lifespan?

What does an ornithologist do? Besides observing and drawing birds, they also study bird behavior, track their migration, collect data, assess habitats, educate the public, and much more. Students can research the field and write a paragraph about this profession.

Take a walk and try to identify the birds you see and hear.