D is for Duck Guide | ABC Nature Walk

While the Mr. accompanies the littlest of learners on ABC Nature Walks via YouTube, I support him here with Nature Walk Guides. D is for Duck is our fourth guided nature walk. Find others at the appropriate link below:

• A is for Ant
• B is for Bunny
• C is for Crab

Our D is for Duck nature walk will make these learning stops:

• D is for Duck practice: Printable practice page and playdough mat with a how-to guide.
• The ABC Nature Walk: "D is for Duck" video - for your convenience.
• 5 Additional Duck Activities: For a well-rounded adventure.

D is for Duck Practice

A Playdough Mat

Your playdough mat awaits: Click here.

A Practice Page

Click here to start the learning adventure.

ABC Nature Walk: D is for Duck Video

For your convenience, the "ABC Nature Walk: D is for Duck" video appears below. Press play to start your experience. When finished, "stroll" below for even more.

5 Additional "D is for Duck" Activities

We're all about building learning step-by-step. The more ways your learner interacts with the "d is for duck" concept, the more defined his or her neural pathway becomes. We want clear brain trails because they lead to longer lasting learning. Continue paving the “D is for Duck" learning trail when you:

1. Observe Ducks and Make a Model Habitat

If ducks live near you:

• Watch them.
• Think about where they get water, food, and shelter.

If ducks don’t live near you,

• Watch or read:
• “ABC Nature Walk: D is for Duck” by Mr. Wolfe’s Kinder Garden via YouTube
• "Ducks quacking on a lake" by Travel Dreamer 3000 via YouTube
• Animals on the Farm: Ducks by Wendy Strobel Dieker. An easy-to-follow, approachable, informational text for young learners with plenty of pictures and a glossary at the end.
• Describe the type of environment you see
• What plants are there?
• In what type of biome is the video recorded?
• Biome coloring pages at Kindergarten Worksheets and Games
• Biome video by Hey! Guess What via YouTube
• Biome informational page at Ducksters.com
• Based on your knowledge of that biome, where is the duck likely to find food, water, and shelter?

Make the Model Habitat

• Make a diorama using a shoebox and art supplies that shows a duck's food, water, and shelter.
• Draw a picture that shows the duck in its habitat featuring food, water, and shelter.

2. Read Duck Books

While we've provided links to some read alouds on YouTube for your convenience, we highly encourage you to check out duck books from your local library. Nothing beats reading together! While you read, see how many d's your learner can find in a sentence, on a page, or in the whole book.

• 5 Little Ducks by Denise Fleming. (YouTube read aloud by Lauren Martin Books)
• Before you read, listen and SING ALONG with the song  - here performed by The Learning Station. ASK: "Why do you think the ducks didn't come back?" SET THE PURPOSE: In this book 5 Little Ducks, the author, Denise Fleming, shares some of her ideas about why they didn't come back. As we read, look for reasons why the duck stayed.
• As you read, DISCUSS why each duck stayed and reinforce DAYS OF THE WEEK, mention rest on Sunday for faith-based learning. 
• After you read, RESPOND by drawing a picture with another reason why a duck might have stayed. Learn about OTHER FEATURED ANIMALS with the author at the end. Then, COMPARE AND CONSTRAST the book with the song.
• Duck on a Bike by David Shannon (YouTube read aloud by Books with Blue)
• Before you read, SHARE silly things you've seen animals do, and ask your learners to share, too. SET THE PURPOSE: Animals can do some silly things, but all the things we shared animals can do. Today, we're going to read a book about something an animal cannot do. As we read, listen to the reactions from the other animals.
• As you read, name each ANIMAL you see and discuss the REACTION they have to duck.
• After you read, list all the animals and MAKE CONNECTIONS: What do they all have in common? RESPOND by choosing an animal not in the book and make a new scene that features the animal and the animals reaction. Make it into a CLASS BOOK in a different setting by choosing animals from a different location than the book. Instead of a farm, choose the sea, the rainforest, the mountains, etc. Then, rename the book to match it: "Duck in a Submarine", "Duck in a Jeep", or "Duck on Skiis"
• Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld (YouTube read aloud by Simply Storytime)
• Before you read, SHARE a recent disagreement you have had or experienced including whether or not there was a resolution. And if there was a resolution, what it was. OR look at pictures of clouds and discuss what you see (more ideas from Mother Nature Ed). SET THE PURPOSE: Sometimes we disagree. In this book two people look at the same thing and see something different. What do you see? Do we all agree? Do you think we will agree by the end of the book?
• As you read, point out how it could be a DUCK or a RABBIT.
• After you read, RESPOND by drawing a duck/rabbit in a new setting. Write an argument for each perspective. EXTEND by writing a new book that mimics this one based on the ending. Title the book "Anteater! Brachiosaurus!" DISCUSS how to reach a resolution when you disagree by trying to see what the other person sees.
• More Considerations:
• One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root; illustrated by Jane Chapman. Rhyming, habitat, and helping others.
• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Animals in the city, animal families, humans helping animals. Compare and contrast with Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore; illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. 
• Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin; pictures by Betsy Lewin. Sequel to Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type. Note writing, comedy, following directions.
• A Duck So Small by A.H. Benjamin; illustrated by Elisabeth Holstein. Perseverance, uniqueness, finding purpose, and teasing.

3. Sing Duck Songs

• "Five Little Ducks" Math and Reading Skills: Subtraction One, Repetition, Sequencing, Character Emotions (by The Learning Station via YouTube)
• "The Duck Song" Social Studies and Reading Skills: Entrepreneurship, Irony, Repetition, Predicting, Cause and Effect, Character Emotions. (by Forrestfire101 via YouTube)
• "All the Little Ducks Go Upside Down" Physical Education and Science: Fine Motor Skills (Finger Play), Habitat, Animal Behavior (by Chirp! Early Childhood Music at YouTube)

4. Eat a Duck Snack

• Eat what a duck would: Begin with a base of oatmeal, yogurt, or cottage cheese. Add one or two of the following fruit choices: grapes cut in half, apples and pears cut in small pieces, halved and pitted cherries, watermelon in small chunks, sliced strawberries, or sliced bananas. (See the complete lists at New Life on a Homestead and Homesteading Where You Are)
• Make duck face crackers (inspired by Ranger Rick)
• Start with circular crackers.
• Spread on softened cream cheese.
• Add raisins, chocolate chips, or blueberries for the eyes.
• Position banana chips, banana slices, or a piece of mandarin orange, coming upward out of the cream cheese to make a beak.
• Serve duck fruit cups with Keeping It Simple Crafts
• Glue googly eyes, a triangle beak and duck feet to the top of a fruit cup, applesauce, or yogurt container.
• Consider serving with the printable Keeping it Simple Crafts made for you.

5. Color Ducks

Not only does coloring develop little learners' artistic skills, it also aids in developing muscles required for writing and strengthens their ability to focus. Coloring is impactful. So, print out your favorite "d is for duck" coloring page, get out the colors, and join your little learner in the meaningful fun.

• Duck Dot Painting from Twisty Noodle. Customizable with optional handwriting practice. Use  with BINGO or do-a-dot markers.
• Simple Duck coloring options from K5Worksheets. Offers realistic and fantasy, super simple and more detailed options. Includes one with "duck" printed below the picture. 
• Complex Duck coloring options from Adult Color Pages.

Before You Go, We'd Love to Know:

1. One activity you'd add to this list.
2. A story about a duck encounter of your own.

We hope our "d is for duck" activities help you on the next step of your learning adventures. If you have any questions, suggestions, or corrections, please let us know (email on the side panel). Happy learning!

With YOU Every Step of the Way,

Sample these related posts: 

To browse Donald Duck Day ideas.

To discover a book that transforms a T-Rex into a duck.

To connect ducks with hot air balloons.

To reminisce with the Mr. as he fondly remembers a pond.

To think about umbrellas.

Interested in even more educational resources? Then stop by our Learning Lab. It's here where we store all the educational resources we've cooked up to date.