Objective

By the end of this lesson, Gatlin will learn about different animals found in a zoo, their habitats, and some fun facts about them. He will also express his creativity through drawing and storytelling about his favorite zoo animals.

Materials and Prep

• Paper
• Crayons or markers
• A comfortable space for storytelling
• Imagination!

Before the lesson, it’s helpful to think about which animals Gatlin likes the most and what he might want to learn about them.

Activities

• Animal Drawing: Gatlin will choose his favorite zoo animal and draw it on a piece of paper. Encourage him to use lots of colors and add details like the animal's habitat.

• Story Time: After drawing, Gatlin will create a short story about his animal. He can make up a fun adventure that the animal goes on in the zoo.

• Animal Sounds Game: Gatlin will take turns making animal sounds while you guess which animal he is imitating. This will be a fun way to learn about different animals!

Talking Points

• "What is your favorite animal at the zoo? Why do you like it?"
• "Can you tell me where this animal lives? Is it in the jungle, the ocean, or the savanna?"
• "What sound does your animal make? Can you show me?"
• "Do you know what your animal eats? Is it a meat-eater or a plant-eater?"
• "If you could be any animal for a day, which one would you choose and what would you do?"