TRASH BIRDHOUSE (Grade K-3)
There is no place on earth called "away". Things we think we throw
away have to go somewhere, and these things end up in the
soil, air, streams, and oceans.
When people reuse or recycle paper, aluminum cans, glass
jars, and other trash, they cut down on the amount of solid waste
thrown away.
We can use some common items that usually get thrown out to
make a new thing that is beneficial to the environment. This project
describes how to make a birdhouse from trash.
MATERIALS:
- string, wire
- 1-2 inch long rock
- scissors, metal cutters, pliers
- markers, paints
- colored paper, old buttons, bottle caps etc. for
decortation
- EITHER:
- empty container (milk carton, plastic pop bottle, steel coffee can), OR
- empty paper towl roll plus an aluminum pie pan
PROCEDURE:
- Set up a table to use as a project center.
On it place: scissors, tape, glue, paper, string, paint,
markers, nails, hammers, and other useful items for building with trash.
- Make the basic bird feeder. There are several methods, some suggestions:
- Cut large holes into the sides of a plastic
milk jug, two inches up from the bottom.
Glue a rock into the bottom of the jug to
add weight, and attach a wire or string
around the neck. Add a perch by taping a toilet tissue roll,
large twig or scrap wood to the side of the bottle or through the
bottle.
- If using a cardboard milk carton, cut along the edges on one side
from the middle to the top, creating a large "flap". Fold the flap in
half and tape the top edge of the flap to the side of the carton. This
makes a perch for the birds to sit on. Pour a little glue then sand on
the perch to make it less slippery. Use a hole punch to put a hole in
the top of the carton. Add a string or wire for hanging.
- If using a steel can, cut both ends off of the can with a can
opener. Cut one of the removed end in half. Take each half and glue or
tape it back into either end of the can, an inch or so inside. This makes
a barrier so that the bird seed will not spill out and provides a bit
of a perch. Be very careful when making this type of birdfeeder
because metal can be sharp!
- Make a hole in the center of an aluminum pie pan. Take a long piece of string and make a large knot at one end. Thread the string through the
pie pan so that the knot is on the bottom of the pan and the pan opens
upwards. Put the paper towel roll on the string and tape it to the pie pan.
- Decorate the feeder. Add colored paper. Glue on string, pine cones, old buttons or bottle caps. Paint or color with markers.
- Fill the feeder with food for the birds, and enjoy
watching them use the feeder. NOTE: Once
you begin feeding birds in the winter,
you should continue to keep the feeder
filled because the birds may become
dependent on your food supply.
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