Where Do Cows Live?

Materials

photos or pictures of barns and farms

blocks in a variety of shapes and sizes

toy cows (optional)

Instructions

1. Ask the children if any of them have pets at home.
2. Ask the children to talk about the activities they do with their pets and the
kinds of responsibilities they have.
3. Show the children the pictures of animals in pairs.
4. Ask the children which animal in each pair they would prefer to own as a pet.
5. Engage the children in a conversation about their choices. Ask some of the
following questions:
* What do you like about this animal?
* What responsibilities would accompany owning each animal?
* What kind of inconveniences do you think such a pet would create?
* What fun things could you do with that animal?
* Would the pet like living with you? Why or why not?
* Is there a better place for it to live?
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* Think about introducing a class pet. Low-key pets that are fascinating to
observe include caterpillars and ants (in an ant farm).
Assessment
Consider the following:
* As you ask questions about each animal pair, remember that there are no
right or wrong answers. Assess the children's understanding by their
thoughtful answers, especially to the harder questions.
* Can the children differentiate between the animals in each pair?