Materials:
stuffed rabbits of various sizes
apples
carrots
celery
plastic picnic knives
small bowls
paper towels
Instructions:
1. Invite each child to bring a stuffed rabbit to school. Have extra stuffed rabbitsavailable for those who do not own one.
2. Invite the children to create a salad for their rabbit. Discuss the things a rabbit
might like to eat.
3. Offer apples, carrots, and celery for the children to cut up. Place small bowls,
plastic picnic knives for cutting, and paper towels in the middle of a low table.
4. Assist the children in cutting up the food with the plastic knives.
5. As the children work, discuss the choices they have made. Ask open-ended
questions and allow the children enough time to answer.
6. Talk about what other animals would eat this salad. A turtle? How about an
alligator?
7. Also discuss other foods rabbits might eat that people do not. What about
clover and grass? What animals eat those?
8. Enjoy your "rabbit food" together.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* Cutting with a plastic knife can be difficult for some children. To allow the
children to experience success, blanch the apples and carrots before offering
them to be cut. This gentle cooking will soften the food somewhat and make
it easier to cut without affecting the flavor.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Show the children photos of various fruits and vegetables and ask them to sort
them into piles indicating which one rabbits will eat and which ones rabbits
will not eat.
* As the children cut the fruits and vegetables, observe closely to see who
manipulates the tools easily and who needs extra help.
