Animals: Here and Now

Marvin W. Bragg                John Hope Community Academy
                               5515 S. Lowe St.
                               Chicago IL 60621
                               (312) 535-3160

Objectives:

Elementary school students (5th-6th grade) will be able to:
   1. identify basic "zoo" animals upon sight by name
   2. classify animals by particular type (i.e., habits, location, size, special 
      colorings, grouping, etc.) 
   3. have a basic understanding of the animal kingdom and the various 
      classifications
   4. discuss and identify natural habitats of most zoo animals
   5. construct and display a small "zoo like" model
   6. write a short story or diary about an animal or pet of their choice
 
Materials Needed:
   
   (per group of 2-3 students)
   1. 2 boxes of animal crackers
   2. 1 box of crayons
   3. 2-4 sheets of poster board (11" x 7")
   4. 2-4 sheets of plastic screening (12" x 8")
   5. 1 sheet of small self-adhesive zoo animals
   6. 1 bottle of glue
   7. stapler or roll of masking tape
   8. twigs, grass cuttings, small leaves, etc. (for beautification)
   9. scissors

Strategy:     
  
  A. Zoo model - Students are going to construct a habitat and select
     animals appropriate to that habitat.

     1. Cut white poster board into a piece 11" x 7".
     2. Cut plastic screening into a piece 12" x 8".
     3. Cut or peel off animal stickers.
     4. Glue, stick on, and arrange animal crackers or animal stickers randomly
        to 11" x 7" piece of white poster board (be sure to leave sufficient
        space between animals in order to add any trees, shrubbery, twigs,
        grass, etc.).
     5. Add anything else that may be seen in or around contained in zoo
        environment or setting.
     6. After all gluing, cutting, and arranging activities are completed and 
        intact, place 12" X 8" plastic screening directly on top of 11" x 7"
        white poster board sheet.
     7. Attach the overlapped edges of plastic screening to back of poster
        board with staples or masking tape to create a "zoo" replica.
     8. Display "zoo" replica on window ledge or other appropriate locations
        in the classroom so that other students can view, compare, contrast,
        discuss and enjoy.

   B. Animal game activity
      
   1. Select a blank 3" x 5" index card for each child in the class.
   2. Write various animal facts unique to one particular animal on each card.
   3. Hand out one card to each child.
   4. Have each child read the facts out loud to the rest of the class.
   5. Once the card has been read, allow the child reading the card to correctly
      name the animal in question.
   6. If the child reading the card incorrectly names the animal, the other 
      children in the class get the opportunity to correctly name the animal.

   
Performance Assessment:

   The student will be assessed according to his/her ability to:
      1. construct a "zoo" replica from recent zoo visit or model that the
         teacher had on display for the entire classroom.
      2. participate with other students in an animal guessing game.
      3. perform well on a short test or quiz, focusing on animal names, types, 
         special characteristics, habits, origins, etc.


Conclusion:

      At the end of this mini-teach students should have a thorough 
understanding and appreciation of animal life.