Klepetan and Marlena are storks that found themselves enjoying every moment they spend together. They share adventures, jokes, and stories in the company of one another; leading them to feel comfort and safety particular to their friendship. One day, after being injured, Marlena cannot make the migration journey from Croatia to South Africa and the pair is faced with the difficult; to remain together or accept that time apart still can be considered time with each other. This storybook Feathers Together by Caron Levis about birds and their stories teaches us many valuable lessons. Whether it is about freedom, migration, or resilience, birds are often symbolic of important life themes. Plus, their behaviors captivate our imagination and help us understand nature and the world around us. Keeping in mind of the above story, we make connection when we take a walk outdoors. We notice one or two feathers on the ground. It makes us think on why do birds shed their feathers? Why do birds lose their feathers? Emily, examining a feather, insists, "It’s a leaf!"—a moment of wonder that blurred the line between what falls from trees and what falls from the sky. The conversation deepens as Fides imagines the birds' emotions, "The birds are feeling sad because they can’t fly anymore." Nora makes a connection by noticing patterns in nature, which is an awesome way for us to learn. The idea of birds shedding feathers and leaves falling off trees could seem similar because both involve something changing. We may think the trees are "shedding" like the birds, especially if we are seeing both happen around the same time. This could be a great chance to talk about how both birds and trees prepare for the seasons in their own way. Birds molt to get ready for colder months, while trees drop their leaves to conserve energy during winter. Both are ways for nature helps living things stay safe and strong! We learn that birds molt once, sometimes twice a year. As fall approaches, many of the songbirds we see in our backyard will be shedding their old set of feathers to get ready for winter. How wonderful it is to understand this nature’s design! When we are asked to think about which characters we would like to be, it is usually a way to reflect on what traits or qualities we admire or feel connected to. We can choose characters based on qualities like bravery, kindness, intelligence, or creativity. Most of us choose Klepetan who we think is being more careful. In other words, we may emphasize on thinking deeply and avoiding rash decisions. Using feathers to print white paint on a black paper is a fun and creative way to explore textures and patterns while tapping into our imagination. Feathers can create soft, feathery prints that are different from what we would get with brushes or sponges, giving us a new way to engage with art. This learning experience helps us develop fine motor skills as we dip the feathers into paint and press them onto paper. In addition, it is also a way to connect with nature and learn about feathers in a hands-on way. Luka attends to the puzzle by counting the number of birds sitting on the tree branch, "Four, five, six". Meanwhile, Pranssi works attentively to assemble a wooden puzzle by exchanging a story of a flock of birds migrating to somewhere warm like India. The conversation arises to be more intriguing when we notice ourselves use feathers to be writing tools. We converse how people wrote long before pens and pencils were invented. It is like stepping into the past and exploring what it was like for people to write with quills! When we read Does Earth Feel? book, we encounter a page with a tree being cut down and a sky filled with orange light. Fides, being concerned, says, "I think it’s smoke." Nora whispers, "The Earth feels hurt." When we ask ourselves, "If the Earth could talk, what would it say?", Nora answers, "They say to the people who cut the trees, please stop, trees are important to us." Pranssi expands the thought: "If we cut the trees, animals won’t have a home. They will have to walk and walk on the streets, and they might have accidents. But there’s no hospital for animals, only for humans." Kai makes a quiet connection between these grand ideas and his own world, recalling, "The trees were scratching my house, and my dad cut it—but only a little bit, like in half," demonstrating the size with his arms. Even as he acknowledges the need to cut the tree, there is an awareness that something is taken. Later, when we see an image of tall buildings with no people, Kai observes, "Like the trees, they are alone." We tell ourselves that trees are never truly alone—that beneath the soil, their roots are connected. Perhaps, in our own way, we are finding connections, too. As we close, we ask, "If the Earth is alive, what would it say?" The responses come with deep care. Fides: "I love the Earth, and I want to take care of it by not making fires." Pranssi: "Thank you, Earth, for the fruit you give us, and also to the cow for the milk." Nora: "I want people to understand that Earth needs to be cleaner, or bad things will happen, and the Earth might be sad." This exchange is an unfolding understanding that the Earth, like the birds, the trees, and we ourselves, experience change, loss, and care. “Whatever weather, feather together.” This phrase became a cornerstone of our discussion as we reflect on the importance of standing by our friends, no matter the challenges we face. We are especially moved when Malena fell from flying, a moment that highlighted the importance of compassion and community support. As we discuss this scene, Fides shares an insightful observation: “They ran because they want to catch and help her.” This sparks a meaningful conversation about how, in times of need, showing care and taking action can make a significant difference. Another key takeaway from the story is the saying shared by the featherheaded man: “Friendship survives all kinds of goodbyes.” We demonstrate a deep understanding of this message, recognizing how Malena and Klepetan miss each other but always find their way back to care for one another. We talk about how even when friends or family are far away, love and friendship keep us connected. This realization brings a sense of comfort and hope to us as we reflect on our own relationships. Reading Feathers Together was not just an enjoyable activity but also an opportunity to build social-emotional skills. We learn that being there for friends, no matter the “weather,” helps create a nurturing and inclusive environment. It also reinforces the idea that everyone can contribute to making their community a place where people feel valued and supported. A poetic song Blowing in the Wind inspires us to bring movement and storytelling together. Scarves, like feathers, can float, flutter, and swirl in the air, so they can be a symbol of lightness and freedom. When we move with scarves, we can express the gentle, graceful way feathers move when caught by the wind. The way the scarves flutter can represent how feathers are carried by air, creating a visual connection to nature.
Kindest, Children & Friends.
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