Unsecure chicken perches

[johnandkymberley]

Hi all,

Got a really good job interview on Tuesday its with foundation stage children so 4-5 years old and I've got to take something in to share with them, a book, picture etc

Well I thought, something not everyone will have is a picture if my hens, whenever I tell anyone or kids they are always interested and it's simple, not overly complicated, they know what a chicken is but I'm going to tell them a few facts they might not know.

It's speaking and listening so it will be mainly me but the children will be encouraged throughout to join in, I only have 15mins and I'm wondering if anyone on here can suggest what certain thing I could talk about, feed, eggs?? I need a bit of a nudge

 

Look forward to your replies

 

J&K

[chicken bark]

Sounds great and like you say children love chickens.

 

Could you take in a box of different coloured eggs? (Hard boiled I'd suggest )

Maybe take some feathers from your chickens - there should be lots if yours are moulting like mine.

 

I think children like to touch things.

 

Could you take in photos of chick development in an egg and then show a photo of the baby chick and then your chickens so they can see what they turn into?

[Cinnamon]

Sounds like a plan!

 

My hens helped me to get my job at Waitrose - it was a group interview & we all had to draw an animal so I drew a hen.

Then we had to talk about why we had drawn it,so I said about my hens & hen welfare...

In my second interview the manager asked if I would be happy & confident talking about hen welfare & free range chicken to customers.................I am sure they got me the job

[Goosey Lucy]

Photographs of your hens (or similar breeds if yours aren't camera friendly) are useful, especially if you can have these laminated so they don't get ripped and crumpled as you show them. they are also sturdy, you could maybe leave these behind for the children to look at once you've gone.

 

Some feed in a little pot would also be good, let them touch and smell but not taste. Try to use their 5 senses, what do hens sound like, look like, feel (introduce feathers, eggs), what do eggs taste like, do hens smell

 

Make sure if they are touching things that their hands are washed/gelled afterwards.

 

Pictures of cooked eggs are also good, e.g. dippy eggs, poached, fried, scrambled.

 

You could try starting off the session with a box of eggs and asking them if they know where they come from. Talk about all the chickeny things they do, scratching around, looking for bugs etc. Get as much as you can from them - they will talk a lot if you give them the chance! I'd have all your props in a bag so that you can bring them out one at a time, the surprise factor will help to keep things moving along. A toy hen can also help.

 

Good luck, let us know how you get on

[Gem_xxx]

Everyone has had some lovely ideas, I've taught foundation and as much as you can try to work in something that they can actually touch. Would they let you take in a hen? Or borrow and take in chicks? That would be fab- you'd get so much talking and listening from them. If not lots of pictures, eggs, feed and maybe a hen story- making a resource box all about hens would really engage them!

[johnandkymberley]

Hi, thanks everyone,

Well it's in talking and listening part of the eyfs

 

And it says on my letter, picture,box,prop or item

 

Not Plural tho?

 

I've got a picture I'm going to laminate, it's an a3 size too

[Chicken Licken]

How about - where do eggs come from - take some in from your girls - hard boiled..... Then introduce a picture of a chicken, who has seen a chicken, what noise do they make? what do they think chickens eat? chance to introduce some handling of food - I would suggest grain as they are less likely to want to eat this than pellets. Picture of hen housing etc. How do chickens keep warm in winter- what would a child wear? - choose the items from a trug with sunhats, sunglasses, hats, gloves scarves etc.

Having recently got hens at the secondary school I work in, I would steer clear from taking a hen in - way too much poo and you don't know how the children will react, not to mention your potential employer.

[chicken bark]

Hi, thanks everyone,

Well it's in talking and listening part of the eyfs

 

And it says on my letter, picture,box,prop or item

 

Not Plural tho?

 

I've got a picture I'm going to laminate, it's an a3 size too

 

 

Tricky if it is just one thing. Could you make it a collage instead?

[CatieB]

Take one box with lots of little things in? Ie pictures eggs

 

Please don't forget bed time, they can relate to bed time. tell them that chickens put themselves to bed. I love that fact.

[sjp]

if you have a blue or green egg or a really dark brown one they make a real impact

[johnandkymberley]

I'm thinking of doing a day cycle of a hen e.g. Lay egg, make noise bout it, eat drink, scratch, dust bath, sun bathe, roosting and then back to laying an egg and it starts again?? Obviously with lots more info and then asking if they have any questions??

 

What does everyone think??

 

J&K

[redhotchick]

Hi, I notice that Chicken Licken, for example, has structured it as a series of questions, whereas you have listed a flow of events. I think it's a really good idea to think of it as a series of questions, even if you structure it as a flow of events. Rather than a speech it's about getting them to engage and interact (I think, maybe?)

[superkitty]

How did it go...?