Dear Zoo

• A copy of “Dear Zoo”
  • If unavailable, use one of these online read-alouds:
    • Dear Zoo (Share a Story Corner)
    • Dear Zoo | By Rod Campbell | Joyful Soul Story Time | Read Aloud Book | Children's Book
• Vocabulary pages (Images from Open Symbols). For easiest use, print and compile them into a booklet.
• Dear Zoo children's song (based on the book by Rod Campbell) | Kids Nursery Rhymes and Songs
• Device to play video (phone, tablet, computer)
• Zoo coloring and writing pages
• Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
• Copies of extension activities you will use
• Vocabulary list (Share with school staff to help reinforce words throughout the day/week.)

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES
Feelings Song

1. Play the Dear Zoo children’s song. 
2. Encourage children to move like each animal (for example slither their hands for snake, or roar for lion). 
3. Say each animal name out loud for the children through the song.
4. At the end of the song, instruct children to take a deep breath in and sit together in a circle.

Vocabulary Introduction
Using the vocabulary booklet:

1. Show a picture and ask the children to name the English word.
2. Encourage them to create an action and make the face for each emotion.
3. Choose one of the children’s representative actions/faces and repeat it as a group.
4. Repeat for each vocabulary word, inviting participation from several children.

READ THE BOOK
Consider how your students will most enjoy the story: Will you read the book without stopping or will you stop and ask questions or point things out? Will you read all the words on the page or briefly summarize?

1. Read each page aloud.
2. Point to the picture of each vocabulary word and say its name clearly.
3. Emphasize vocabulary words with your voice and if they make a noise, their sounds.
4. Use the children’s actions for vocabulary words to reinforce meaning.

POST-READING DISCUSSION

1. Point to an animal. What is this? (Answer: the name of the animal)
2. Who sent the animals? or Who are the animals from? (Answer: The zoo)
3. Why did the child send the animals back? (Answers: They were not good pets. They were too big. They were too tall.

POST-READING ACTIVITIES
Real-Life Connection

1. Ask a simple question related to the story (e.g., “Have you seen this animal before?”).
2. Model the answers and actions students chose for vocabulary:
   1. “Yes, I have.” → Stand up.
   2. “No, I haven't.” → Sit down.
   3. Have all students respond using the words and actions. Students may also point, nod, or use gestures if needed.
3. Invite a few students to share their answers with the class.
4. Connect students' responses to the story by saying, “Today’s story is about ______.”

Animal Coloring Page

1. Children may color the page with the animals.
2. Optional: Sit in a circle afterward, show each drawing, and guess who made it. Have the artist name their favorite animal.

Reading/Writing Activity

1. Have children trace the vocabulary words on the worksheet.
2. Have the children point to each animal on the worksheet and do the action/sound of it.

Closure
Review the vocabulary words learned today using the vocabulary booklet or by having the children state each word. If time allows, finish the lesson with one or more of the extension activities appropriate for the children’s age and ability level.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Level 1: Print the vocabulary pages or the coloring page in black-and-white and have the children color them.
Level 2:  Cut vocabulary pages so words and pictures are separate.
For younger children: Cut in puzzle-like shapes so the pieces fit together easily.

For older children: Cut straight for a more challenging match.

Level 3: Print the flash card pages. Cut out the cards and use them to play a matching memory game. Children take turns turning over two cards at a time, trying to find pairs with the same picture. All the cards start face down, so players must remember where pictures are to make matches. The goal is to find the most matching pairs by using your memory. Encourage them to say the English word when they get a match. 
 

For all levels: Encourage use of vocabulary words throughout the day with examples such as:

• Ask the children to point to the animals that are in your classroom.
• Do a zoo animal dance for a fun break.
• Integrate vocabulary into other classroom activities.