Objective
By the end of this lesson, Autumn will be able to identify different smiling critters, understand their habitats, and express her creativity by drawing her favorite critter. She will also learn fun facts about these animals and how they contribute to our world.
Materials and Prep
- Paper
- Colored pencils or crayons
- Pencil
- Access to a safe outdoor space (like a backyard or park)
- Knowledge of common smiling critters (like dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.)
Activities
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Smiling Critter Exploration: Take a short walk outside to observe any critters. Autumn can look for animals that seem to be smiling or are friendly, like dogs, cats, or even playful squirrels. Encourage her to describe what she sees and how the animals make her feel.
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Drawing Time: After the exploration, Autumn can choose her favorite critter and draw it on paper. Encourage her to add a big smile on the critter and use lots of colors to make it vibrant and happy!
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Story Time: Create a short story about the smiling critter she drew. Autumn can write a few sentences about what the critter does during the day and how it spreads happiness. This can be a fun way to encourage her writing skills!
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Fun Facts Sharing: Share interesting facts about the critters she observed. For example, "Did you know that dogs can understand over 165 words?!" This will help her learn more about animals.
Talking Points
- "What do you think makes an animal look like it's smiling?"
- "Can you think of some animals that are friendly and like to play?"
- "Why do you think smiling animals make us feel happy?"
- "What colors do you want to use for your critter? Why those colors?"
- "What do you think your critter does when no one is watching?"
- "Can you tell me a fun fact you learned about animals today?"
- "How does your critter make the world a happier place?"