Lately, everything is a measure of comparison around here. I think this is how most preschool and early elementary minds think best? Our days are peppered with: Who is taller, Isia or Billy? Is the bookcase taller than Daddy? Is the counter-top too tall for Esther to reach? (Not anymore!) This real-life "school"- thinking on their feet- is how my active kids think best. So when we were reading Chapter 5 of Burgess Bird Book for Children together, Isia wanted to know just how much bigger Welcome Robin was than Jenny Wren? We measured lines on a piece of paper- one Robin-sized, one Wren-sized- which helped a bit. Then I drew these real-life size examples, which helped a lot. Her first question was, "Is a Robin really that big?" She was surprised by the Sparrow's size, too. Then I realized that birds are usually viewed from far away- which doesn't allow kids to realize their actual size. 

She was thrilled to hold them, and then wanted to start measuring things "in birds." (To help keep our measuring consistent, I put a black dot on the side of each bird to help us.) We measured a chair, a book, and a few other things using the Robin. Then I suggested we measure them again using the Wren and Swallow to see if there was a difference. I created this chart for us to record our measurements, which I'm including as a free printable at the very end of the post. I'm also including a blank chart, a Robin printable, a Wren printable, and a Swallow printable. 

Isia is now asking for drawings of more birds, including a Blue Jay (which is Daddy's favorite). In the words of Anne Lamott, I promised we'll take it "bird by bird." 

Easy extension activities: