"I Believe I Can Fly" Week

The next unit in our weeks of "Summer Magic" is: I Believe I Can Fly!  This week focuses on different elements of "taking to the air" - the flight of birds, soaring high on a ferris wheel, flying kites, running with the wind, and aiming high by learning to set goals and have faith in oneself. 

These are some of the activities that we do for this unit:

VISIT AN AVIARY,

Go Bird Watching, or Go See the Birds at your Zoo

Some cities have an aviary, like my hometown, which happens to be a world-class aviary so if you live there you should definitely go!  An aviary is a great way to get up close and personal with all kinds of birds! If you don't live by one though, go bird watching or visit your zoo to see what kinds of birds they have there. A lot of zoos even feature a bird show! 

In Salt Lake City, Utah

During your visit, be sure to learn some new facts about the birds you see. Like for example, did you know that: 

The smallest bird in the world is only 5cm long! 

A group of larks is called an exaltation, a group of chickens is

 called a peep, a group of geese is called a gaggle, a group of 

ravens is called a murder, and a group of owls is called a

 parliament.

A birds heart can beat up to 1000 times per minute!

Some birds use stars as a form of navigation.

MAKE "BIRD NESTS" FOR DINNER

We made these this week and they were really yummy. There are A LOT of recipes with lots of variations, so pick the one that sounds the best to you. I used the recipe here though, if you're interested. 

"Make a nest of pleasant thoughts." 

Mary Englebreit 

LEARN ABOUT BIRDS and FLIGHT

Do a "bird report" using books you check out at the library or read some of our favorite books about birds and/or "flight": 

"Use what talents you have. The woods would have little music if no birds sang their song, except those that sang the best." 

Reverend Oliver Wilson

SING "I BELIEVE I CAN FLY" 

(by R. Kelly from the movie Space Jam)

This is a great song that teaches kids the importance of setting goals and believing in themselves, and was my mom's inspiration for this unit. Sing this song with your kids and discuss what it means in each of their own lives. What goals do your kids want to reach for? What dreams do they have for the future?  Explain to them that if they work hard and dream big, they can accomplish anything!

This is one of my FAVORITE quotes. It led me to achieve some of the biggest accomplishments I've made in my own life:

 BELIEVE that you can fly! 

FLY KITES and 

MAKE KITE SANDWICHES

Here are two examples of how we make our kite sandwiches. The first, is a tunafish sandwich cut into the shape of a kite. To make the kite string, just peel a long carrot. It will naturally curl. Tuck it into the bottom corner of your "kite."

Or, here is a PB and J open-face version. Spread your peanut butter and jelly onto a piece of kite-shaped bread in a pattern like so. Use the same carrot technique for the kite string. 

MAKE "Run Like the Wind" Sticks 

We got this idea from Parent magazine years ago. It is a fun and easy craft that allows your kids to literally run like the wind. Follow the instructions to make your own wind catchers:

Here are pictures I took to help illustrate each step: 

You will need:
1 clear or white large trash bag
2 large plastic cups
1 long wooden stick or dowel
2 rubberbands
Scissors

1. Cut the bottoms off of two large plastic cups
2. Take the sealed end of the trash bag and wrap it around one cup, about 1" from the rim. Tape it in place.
3. Thread the other end of the trash bag through the second plastic cup.
4. Push the cup all the way up the bag so that it overlaps the first cup and their rims touch.
5. With scissors, cut the loose end of the trash bag into thin strips stopping about 2/3 of the way up.
6. Poke two opposing holes on either side of the cups, just below the rim of the bottom cup.
7. Push a wooden dowel or stick through both holes.
8. Rubber band each side of the stick to hold it in place.

Hold onto the bottom of the stick and run with it, the cup opening facing the direction you are running. The cup will catch the wind and funnel it through your trash bag streamers!

TAKE A RIDE ON A FERRIS WHEEL 

There's nothing like getting on a big ferris wheel to feel like you are soaring high in the sky. My mom made this a little tradition we always did during our "I Believe I Can Fly" Week.  It was convenient because there is a ferris wheel right next to Tracy Aviary, where we would go to see the birds! Take your own kids for a ride on a ferris wheel or find another way to soar above the ground! 

Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law for taking these pics!

MAKE CLOTHESPIN AIRPLANES

From Parents.com 

LEARN A LESSON FROM THE GEESE

During this unit we would always talk about Geese. My mom had this little article that teaches five beautiful lessons about these remarkable birds and I was excited to see that this same article is posted on a Christian website so that you too can read it! :

5 Lessons from the Geese

Teach your own kids about geese and the important lessons we can learn from their example. 

WATCH "FLY AWAY HOME"

A cute movie about a little girl and a flock of orphaned geese. 

"When you come to the edge of all the light you have, and must take a step into the darkness and unknown, believe that one of two things will happen...  Either there will be something solid for you to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly."  

Patrick Overton