Materials
at least 1 plastic egg per child
small pictures of animals to put inside the eggs
Instructions
* Place animal pictures or plastic animals either in a bag or a box.
What to Do
1. Show the children pictures of animals or the plastic animals.
2. Explain that the children should look at the legs to see if they are short or long.
If the animal has short legs they get down on the floor on hands and feet and
walk around like that animal. If the animal has long legs, then the children
reach their hands to the sky.
3. This activity can generate a great deal of discussion about the uses of the animal
legs, such as how the giraffe has long legs so that it can reach the tall trees.
Poem
If I Had by Eileen Lucas
If I had long legs like a giraffe, If I had short legs like a bear,
I'd reach high into a tree. I'd love to roam and not have to care.
But if I had short legs like a mouse, If I had no legs like a snake,
I'd sneak into a house. I'd slither and slide and in the sun I'd bake.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* The children may begin to make the animal sounds as the activity progresses.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Do the children use the words "long" and "short"? Do they understand these
concepts while they look at the animals?
* Can the children remember whether an animal has long or short legs when
you say that animal's name to them?
