3.         THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

Preparation.  Collect books on animals and samples of animals e.g. feathers, an abandoned bird's nest or sheep's wool.  Even a small caged pet, hamster, budgerigar or goldfish could be displayed on this week's table.    Invite, beforehand, a pet owner friend with a docile pet to come and talk to the children about the pet and how it is cared for.    For the creative work (instructions given in diagram 3) you need thin card, felts, thread and a suitable glue.

Prayers.

Song. Suggestion - 'I Saw a Bird' from The Nursery Song Book.

News Time and Birthdays.

Revision of the previous lesson using the Kingdom chart.  Restate the common features of the mineral and vegetable kingdom;
a)   minerals don't move and have no feelings,
b)   vegetables grow.
Ask the children which kingdom do they think comes next.

Introduction.  Using the displayed items and books briefly discuss various animals and their habitats.  If you have invited a guest introduce him and his pet and ask him to speak to the children. They may have some questions.
Now STRESS the things all animals have in common; like vegetables, animals grow, but they also can feel and have senses.  Discuss the senses of taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell with the children and how they assist the animals to live.

Story. 'The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse', Aesop's Fables, one of Rudyard Kipling’s 'Just So Stories' or another suitable story.

Reading.  "Then, 0 ye friends of God!  Ye must not only have kind and merciful feelings for mankind, but ye should also exercise the utmost kindness towards every living creature."
         Abdu'l-Bahá.
Type or write this out, one for each child.  Read it out and discuss.  This can be stuck in their work books.

Creative work.  Animal mobiles.  See Diagram 3.

Music.  If you have a suitable record or tape this can be played and the children prepared for the  ........   

Closing Prayer.

Diagram 3.  Pattern for animal mobile.

Cut 1 of each animal in card. Cut 2 of each animal in felt or cloth. Cut features in various colours, in felt. Stick one felt to card. Stick other felt to card, with thread between. Make sure there is enough room between the animals for them to turn freely. Leave a few inches of thread at the top. Stick on the features. Owl:  11 circles, 1 triangle. Front as in diagram, 2 rows of 3 circles on back.
Fish: front and back as in diagram.
Cat: front as in diagram, stick tail down the back instead of other features.       Make a loop at the top of the thread for hanging (see diagram of the finished mobile, on the right.)

 Last modified: May 17, 2001

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