Dear Parents and Guardians:

This month you can use Ranger Rick Jr. to help your child practice comparing things that are alike, but different.

Ask your child where birds lay their eggs (in a nest). Then explain that not all bird nests are alike. Turn to pages 16–21 and look at the eight different kinds of nests shown on these pages. Ask:

• How are the nests alike? How are they different?
• What materials different birds use to make their nests?
• Why might some birds make a nest in a tree and others on the ground?
• Are there advantages to one type of nest over another?

Turn to pages 24–25. This illustration shows ten different kinds of birds. Do you or your child know the names of any of these birds? Take turns identifying them by finding the bird in the illustration that matches each description in the list. Then ask:

• How are the birds alike? How are they different?
• Do all the birds eat the same thing?
• Do all the birds have similar bills?

Now go outside and look for birds in your neighborhood.

• What do the birds you see look like?
• What are the birds you see doing?

I hope you and your child are enjoying spring!

Mike Wilson, Founder

Prekindergarten Reading Encouragement Project
PREP – Helping childhood literacy one family at a time.
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