Theme 4 ~ Awesome Animals!

Dear Families,

This month we will start our new unit “Awesome Animals!”  Children love animals so our new theme is an excellent way to help them learn about the characteristics of different kinds of animals, animal homes, and animal life cycles, which are all important concepts in science.

There are many things you and your child can do together to explore the world of animals.

• Start with your own pet, if you have one, to teach your child about pet needs and pet care.

• Talk about the animals you see around your home. Observe what they look like, where they live, what they eat, and how they move.

• Teach safety rules for being around animals.

• Identify the animals you see in books and on the computer and television so your child will learn animal names.

In this theme, we will also focus on developing the ability to pay attention. Encourage children to increase their attention by spending time focusing on the natural world together. This will be many children’s favorite theme, so talk with them every day about what they are doing and learning. Teach your child to be kind to animals!

Literacy Tip

Use nonfiction books with realistic illustrations and photographs to show your child that some books give us information. Point out the special features in nonfiction books, such as the table of contents and photo captions.

Connecting School to Home

Your child is learning how to put animals and objects with the same characteristics into groups, which is an important skill in both science and math.

Home/School Connections

Borrow picture books from your library about all kinds of animals, including pets, farm animals, and wild animals. Help your child name the animals.

Talk with your child about why both animals and people need homes, and what makes a good home for different kinds of animal.

Take a walk with your child in a park or your backyard, examining any insects you come across. Bring along a magnifier to get a closer look.

Big Day for Pre-K - Book Suggestions

Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm by Joy Cowley

Oodles of Animals by Lois Ehlert

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming

Hey, Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose

Way Down in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck

Animal Antics from 1 to 10 by David Wojtowycz

The Animal Boogie by Debbie Harter

When I'm Big by Sam McBratney

Under One Rock by Anthony D. Fredricks

The Best Book of Bugs by Claire Llewellyn

Zoopa: An Animal Alphabet by Gianna Marino