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Students work with different tools to get a feel for what different bird beaks are like and how they function during Fill the Bill at the Summer Learning Program at the library.
Hannah Styles
news@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Swain County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Shelby Cook led a presentation on Thursday at the Marianna Black Library for the Summer Learning Program. In this presentation called “Fill the Bill,” kids learned about different bird species, not only in our area but around the world and how they use their unique beaks and mouths to feed.
Cook demonstrated the way different birds eat by using fun activities. Kids had to use different tools to decide which bird ate that way and had to pick the best one for the presented “food.” The first station included a slender vase full of “nectar” representing a hummingbird and kids had to try to get the nectar out using a dropper, chopsticks, or large spoon.
Another station was a bowl of water with chunks of Styrofoam and participants had to use a ladle, chopsticks or straw to pick up the foam representing how a pelican catches fish. The most popular station was where kids had to throw small marshmallows into a large envelope representing a bird with a wide beak that catches insects.
“Most of the activities I bring to the library come from environmental education curriculum guides, and I try to modify the lessons so that there’s a little something for kids of all ages. I enjoy the activities as much as the kids do!” Cook said.
This hands on demonstration brought lots of smiles and laughs to children who attended. The Summer Learning Program continues throughout the season and is free for children ages newborn-17. Shelby Cook of Soil and Water will be back with another fun lesson called, “How many bears can live in this forest?” on Thursday, July 8 at 10:30 a.m.