Australian Animals Theme Unit: Hands-On Learning Activities

This is a large set of printables to make hands-on activities and games to complement your teaching unit about Australian Animals. The activities are designed for ages preschool through First Grade, and are appropriate for non- or early readers.

Be sure to look at the PREVIEW - there are a lot of things to look at in this unit.

86 pages.

Contents:

• Full page color posters, plus a title header (12) Australian animals included are : kangaroo, koala, emu, sulphur-crested cockatoo, echidna, fruit bat, dingo, wombat, black swan, kookaburra, possum and platypus. These animals can also be cut out to make large manipulatives for younger children.
• A “finish the picture” page for each animal in b/w. Discuss the page, read the caption. Children add other things to the picture, suggested by the caption or in the discussion. They can also dictate words for the teacher to write (or try themselves).
• Flashcards (4 to a page) for each animal – make games such as match the pairs, concentration/memory, hiding and finding etc. Use for recognition and vocabulary extension.
• Fact cards (2 to a page) 1 for each animal. These cards have real photos of the animal. Can be made into booklets with staples or a ring through holes punched in one corner.
• A picture/written word strip for each animal (word wall)
• Masks for koala, dingo, cockatoo, possum, wombat and kangaroo. Color and b/w, so children can decorate. Use a large craft stick for a handle.
• Game – categorize Birds/Not Birds. This can be a center, or individual cut and paste b/w.
• Game – categorize Native to Australia/ Not Native to Australia. This can be a center, or individual cut and paste. b/w.
• Tracing pages – trace the animal and its name – koala, kangaroo and wombat.
• Emergent reader 1 – b/w – picture of each animal, plus caption “The _______ lives in Australia”.
• Emergent reader 2 – b/w – the children draw the animal. There is a tiny animal picture on each page to give a clue.

MORE RESOURCES ABOUT AUSTRALIA for early learners ...