This theme explores animals of all kinds. If it has fur, legs, teeth, a nose, a tail, or just lives on earth (and isn’t human) we’ll try to cover it here.
Related themes:
Theme Resources
- Animal Activities
- Animal Group Time Activities
- Animal-Related Writing Projects
- Apes & Monkeys
- Art Activities
- Bear Activities
- Going On A Bear Hunt
- Horse Activities
- Lions
- Math Activities
- Mice Activities
- Mouse Maze Activity
- Porcupine Activities
- Rabbit & Bunny Activities
- Silly Animal Jokes & Riddles
- Skunk
- Zebra Activities
- Worksheets & Printables
Teaching Kids About Animals
The following subjects from our teacher’s encyclopedia will give you some fun and educational talking points and additional lessons to do with your kids:
Preparing for this theme:
- Collect as many plastic animal figurines as you can gather.
- Ask for donations of old National Geographic’s or other magazines that feature animal pictures.
- Try to find an animal encyclopedia or other books on animals to stock your library area throughout this theme.
Field trips & special activities
- Take a field trip to the zoo
- Visit a local animal shelter or Dumb Friends League
Show & share
- Talk about your favorite animal
Theme-related books:
- Is Your Mama A Llama?
Animal concepts to discuss:
- Hibernation
- Herbivores & carnivores
- Animal babies
Theme words
Use the following as spelling or vocabulary words throughout this theme:
- Animal
- Canines: Two front teeth that are longer (and often pointier) than the others
- Carnivore: An animal that eats meat
- Claw
- Fur
- Habitat: The environment in which an animal lives
- Herbivore: An animal that eats plants
- Hoof
- Mane
- Omnivore: An animal that eats both meat and plants
- Reserve: A spot of land set aside for animals to live without human interference.
- Tail
Silly Kid Jokes
- A man looses his dog, so he puts an ad in the paper, and the ad says: “Here, boy.” – Comedian Spike Milligan.