Introduction
The game is called “Zoo Animals and their Traits” because it combines connecting zoo animals with the corresponding traits and facts about them.
Target group and Time
This game is most suitable for children in year 5 to year 7 because the vocabulary that is required for this game is quite simple but there are also a few words that are more difficult. The minimum time needed for this activity is around 10 minutes. The length of this game can be adjusted freely depending on how many cards for each animal one prepares.
Learning objectives
The main objective of this game is to learn something about zoo animals and to be able to describe them. Furthermore, the children practice their reading, explaining, and describing skills since they not only need to read and understand single words but as they turn the cards around they see the words paraphrased in English. Lastly, the children also learn something about the endangerment of zoo animals, why they are poached and what zoos do against that.
Instructions to set up the activity
Print out six zoo animal pictures, prepare at least three cards with traits for each zoo animal.
On the back of the cards: rephrase the words/phrases (functions as a scaffold)
Letting it run
- Spread cards with traits and animal pictures on the ground —> group work: children should talk about their guesses and match the corresponding traits and facts to the zoo animals
- Ask children if all of them know what is meant by every word and repeat them together
- Second level: Spread cards with the word “endangered” on the ground and let the children guess what this word means and if these zoo animals are endangered or not
- Talk about the reasons why these zoo animals are endangered and what role zoos play in relation to species conservation.
