BGE Craft · Level 3–4 project

Bird feeder.

Make space for nature. Learn where wood comes from and how to use it responsibly, then measure, cut, shape and finish your own bird feeder to take home.

Hardwood and softwoodSustainabilityReading drawingsHand toolsFinishes

Start with the course notes ↓ Back to BGE Craft
Wooden bird feeder with a slate roof

SCALE 1:1

BGEBird Feeder

DesignClass mark.

SubjectCraft

LevelBGE · Level 3–4

LicenceFree to copy, adapt, share

Sheet04.2 · BGE · Bird Feeder

01Course notes

Course notes and tasks.

The full Bird Feeder booklet, plus four stand-alone task sheets that follow the project from timber to finished feeder (about one lesson each). Print to write on, or fill in the Digital versions on screen.

Bird Feeder course notes cover

Bird Feeder Course Notes

Print (PDF) ↓ Digital (PDF) ↓
Bird Feeder Task 1: Know your wood

Task 1 – Know your wood

Print (PDF) ↓ Digital (PDF) ↓
Bird Feeder Task 2: Safe in the workshop

Task 2 – Safe in the workshop

Print (PDF) ↓ Digital (PDF) ↓
Bird Feeder Task 3: Measure twice, cut once

Task 3 – Measure twice, cut once

Print (PDF) ↓ Digital (PDF) ↓
Bird Feeder Task 4: Tools and processes

Task 4 – Tools and processes

Print (PDF) ↓ Digital (PDF) ↓
Wooden bird feeder on a garden table

02What you’ll learn

From tree to finished feeder.

Humans have a huge impact on the environment. Designers and engineers are finding ways to make things more sustainably – and this project starts you thinking the same way.

01

Know your wood

Hardwood and softwood, how felled wood is dried, natural flaws, and why responsibly sourced (FSC) timber matters.

02

Measure, mark and cut

Read a technical drawing, measure and mark out accurately, and use hand and machine tools safely in the workshop.

03

Finish and make

Prepare wood for a finish, choose between oil, wax, varnish and stain, plan your making – then build a feeder the birds will actually use.

03For teachers

Teacher guides.

Marking instructions, answers, suggested grade bands, timings and curriculum links for every task. Teacher guides are part of DesignClass teacher membership, which keeps the site free for pupils.

Bird Feeder Task 1: Know your wood

Task 1 teacher guide – Know your wood

Members only ↗
Bird Feeder Task 2: Safe in the workshop

Task 2 teacher guide – Safe in the workshop

Members only ↗
Bird Feeder Task 3: Measure twice, cut once

Task 3 teacher guide – Measure twice, cut once

Members only ↗
Bird Feeder Task 4: Tools and processes

Task 4 teacher guide – Tools and processes

Members only ↗

04Keep building

Next topic.

Feeder finished? Sharpen your measuring, or see where woodwork goes next.

Steel rules and protractors close up

01

Measuring, Scale and Estimation

The tools, units and tolerances behind every accurate cut.

Open Measuring →
N5 Woodwork topic card – mortise and tenon close-up

02

N5 Woodwork

Where accurate measuring really pays off: frames, carcases and machine tools at National 5.

Open N5 Woodwork →

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"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now."

Proverb