Lesson Plans

 Lesson 1: Introduction of Zoo Animals

Objectives: TLW distinguish between all animals and the ones that would be found in a zoo. TLW list characteristics of zoo animals. TLW draw animals using pencils and crayons.

Materials: chart paper, computer & Compton’s Encyclopedia database, Animals in the Zoo, A Children’s Zoo, Going to the Zoo With Rogers Caras, paper, writing and coloring utensils.

Sequence of events:

1. Have the students brainstorm all types of animals and list them on chart paper.

2. Describe what zoo animals are. (ex. consist of animals that are unfamiliar to us and we do not see them every day, found in the wild, usually not kept as pets, keep them in zoos for people to enjoy and also to preserve them.)

3. Give examples of zoo animals by reading one of the three books to the children.

4. Find more examples by showing the children how to use Compton’s Encyclopedia to find information.

5. Go back to the chart paper with the list of animals and have the children pick out the animals they might find in a zoo.

6. Give each child drawing paper and have them draw a zoo animal they thought was interesting and write one sentence telling about the animal.

7. Have the children share their drawings and stories.

  Lesson 2: Animals Found in the Zoo

Objectives: TLW complete a KWL chart based on animals. (KWL is a three column chart that list "What I Know About Zoo Animals", "What I Want to Know About Zoo Animals", and "What I Learned About Zoo Animals"--do the last one at the end of the unit.) TLW weigh zoo animals on a balance with paper clips. TLW create a 3-D model of a zoo animal from clay. TLW match beginning and ending letter sounds to animal pictures. TLW explore the different jobs a zookeeper has.

Materials: chart paper, The Baby Zoo or Dick King- Smith’s Animal Friends

Sequence of events:

1. Fill out the first two columns of the chart with the students.

2. Read one of the books listed above.

3. Discuss which animals are found in the zoo.

4. Introduce centers:

Math-- mass plastic zoo animals on the balance compared with paper clips.

Science-- cut out pictures of zoo animals from magazines full of miscellaneous animals and make a collage.

Art-- make a 3-D model of any zoo animal.

Writing-- match beginning and ending sounds to pictures of zoo animals.

Social Studies-- children work on computer program, Zookeeper.

5. Send kids to centers and monitor.

 Lesson 3: Living In the Zoo

Objective: TLW compare animal life in a zoo with life in the wild.

Materials: Venn diagram (to compare and contrast zoo life vs. wild life), Andy Bear: A Polar Cub Grows Up at the Zoo, and Watching Them Grow: Inside a Zoo Nursery

Sequence of Events:

1. Tell children that you will read two stories about animals growing up in the zoo.

2. Read both stories.

3. Discuss and fill in the ven diagram comparing zoo life to wild life.

4. Dismiss kids for centers.

Lesson 4: Why We Have Zoos

Objective: TLW listen to stories and discuss issues related to animal survival.

Materials: chart paper, Endangered Animal Babies

Sequence of Events:

1. Make classroom list of why we have zoos.

2. Discuss reasons why we need zoos.

3. Explain what endangered means.

4. Read Endangered Animal Babies.

5. Discuss the need to save animals and the importance of zoos.

6. Let children explore in the centers.

 Lesson 5: Life In the Zoo

Objective: TLW explore the different jobs a zookeeper has.

Materials: chart paper, Working With Animals (filmstrip)

Sequence of Events:

1. Discuss what jobs need to be done in order to keep the zoo running smoothly.

2. Watch Working With Animals.

3. List things a zookeeper needed to do in the story to maintain the zoo.

4. Let children continue their centers.

Lesson 6: Zoo Field Trip

 Lesson 7: Reflections of Field Trip

Objective: TLW write a story based on their experience with zoo animals.

Materials: chart paper, computer for every child (lab), Kidworksñ

Sequence of Events:

1. Make a LEA (Language Experience Activity) with the children about what happened and what they saw on their trip to the zoo.

2. Explain to the children that they will use Kidworksñ to make a story and picture about what they saw at the zoo.

3. Model a story a child would write about what they saw at the zoo.

4. Take children to the computer lab to get started. Monitor and help children with their stories and pictures.

*After class you can take the children’s stories and pictures and put them into a slide show using Powerpointñ or any other hyper media program that will do the same.

Or you could put their stories and pictures into a laminated book and bind it for the children to look at and enjoy.

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