The A to Z on Animals to Zoos

Supplementary Activities

Zoo Zoom Zoom card project:

(Note: The cards created in this activity can be used in Zoo Zoom Zoom games.)

Tools: Index cards and crayons or markers.

Directions: Have children name as many zoo animals as possible. Then ask them to write the name of each animal on the lined side of an index card. Have them draw a picture of the animal on the unlined side of the same index card. This activity may take several sessions in order to create a sizable supply of zoo animal cards to be used in Zoo Zoom Zoom games.

 Zoo Zoom Zoom – GAME 1

Materials: A large supply of zoo animal cards created by children in the Zoo Zoom Zoom card project, plus six cards for each team playing on which you have written “Amphibian,” “Mammal,” “Reptile,” “Birds,” “Arthropods,” and “Fish.”  Prizes are optional.

Description: Divide the children into equal teams. Spread out on the floor or table the six “Amphibian,” “Mammal,” “Reptile,” “Birds,” “Arthropods,” and “Fish” cards for each team. In random order, divide the number of zoo animal cards you have evenly among the two teams.

This game is based on speed and accuracy, so when you say “Go,” the teams will rush simultaneously to put each card in its possession into the proper category (“Amphibian,” “Mammal,” “Reptile,” “Birds,” “Arthropods,” and “Fish”). The team with the most cards in the proper categories wins.

Zoo Zoom Zoom – GAME 2

Materials: A large supply of zoo animal cards created by children in the Zoo Zoom Zoom card project, plus three cards for each team playing on which you have written “Land,” “Water,” and “Air.” Prizes are optional.

Description: Divide the children into equal teams. In random order, divide the number of zoo animal cards you have evenly among the two teams. This game is based on speed and accuracy, so when you say “Go,” the teams will rush simultaneously to put each card in its possession into the proper category that answers the question “In what type of element does this animal travel?” (“Land,” “Water,” and “Air” are the possible answers). Some animals may travel in more than one element. The team with the most cards in the proper categories wins.

Zoo Zoom Zoom – GAME 3

Materials: A large supply of zoo animal cards created by children in the Zoo Zoom Zoom card project. Prizes are optional.

Description: Divide the children into equal teams. In random order divide the number of zoo animal cards you have evenly among the two teams. This game is based on speed and accuracy, so when you say “Go,” the teams will rush simultaneously to put its set of cards into alphabetical order. The team with the fewest mistakes wins.

Note: This game can be played using the picture side of the cards or the word side of the cards.

(Developed from content at www.nashvillezoo.org, www.projectview.org/BuffaloZoo, and www.sandiegozoo.org)
 

Additional Resources

People who don’t live near a zoo can experience one without actually going there.  Many zoos offer distance-learning activities, web sites, which include video clips, web-cams, and activities to bring the zoo experience to you. Zoomobiles and zoo educators take the zoo’s animals and message beyond the grounds to educate those not able to visit in person. For more reading activities, visit:

http://www.projectview.org/BuffaloZoo/WhyDoWeHaveZoos.ReadingActivity.htm

On-line zoo games created by the San Diego Zoo are available at: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/games/index.html