• Shop
  • My Account
  • Cart
  • Checkout

Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten

Bright Ideas for Little Learners

  • Home
    • Meet Mrs. Plemons
    • Contact
    • Disclosures
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Baby Bins
    • Colors
    • Shapes
    • Animals
    • Seasonal
  • Tot School
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Year Round
  • Preschool
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Year Round
  • Elementary
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Year Round
  • 0 items$0.00
Preschool, year round

Preschool: Zoo

April 23, 2018

I’ve never met a preschooler that didn’t love a trip to the zoo. We are so fortunate to have a pretty fabulous zoo close to home so we take full advantage of that and visit every few weeks or so. Madelynn always loves seeing what the animals are up to, so I knew this theme would be TONS of fun!

**This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. View our full disclosure policy here.**

  Here were our plans for our zoo theme:

Tons of zoo themed activities and ideas. Weekly plan includes books, literacy, math, science, art, sensory bins, and more! Perfect for tot school, preschool, or kindergarten.

And here are the details for each activity:

Practice sequencing a story with "1, 2, 3 to the Zoo" by Eric Carle. Great for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Story Sequencing:

Our first read aloud this week was 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle. After reading Madelynn used the pictures to retell the story in order.  When she had trouble remembering which animal was next I had her count the animals to put them in the right numerical order.

Practice zoo animal vocabulary with this vocabulary cards matching activity. Great for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Color Zoo Vocabulary:

Our next story was Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert. While reading I used picture cards to reinforce new words. Afterwards Madelynn matched the words to the pictures using the beginning sounds as a clue.

Practice identifying story elements (characters, setting, problem solution) with "Goodnight Gorilla" by Peggy Rathman. Great for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Story Elements:

Next we read Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathman. After reading we talked about and defined the elements of a story (characters, setting, problem solution.) Then Madelynn drew pictures to show each element from the story.

Practice using context clues to make inferences with "Rumble in the Jungle" by Giles Andrae. Great for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Animal Inferring:

Our last book was Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andrae. First we discussed the animals that live in the zoo Then I read the poems 1 at a time without showing the illustrations.  Madelynn used the clues in the text along with what she knew to infer the type of animal and draw it on her response page. She loved when I showed her the picture to check if she was right.

Practice tracking print with these easy readers. Great for tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Tracking Print:

Our last book was this letter Z for Zoo alphabet reader. Madelynn identified the picture then pointed to each word as she read. Since we switched to the more difficult version she is working on learning new sight words each week. Afterwards she colored all of the pictures in.

This color by syllable zoo activity is great for identifying syllables and fine motor practice. Great for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Color By Syllable Zoo:

This week we focused on syllables so we started with this color by code elephant. Madelynn looked small pictures in the larger picture, and clapped to count the number of syllables. Then she followed the directions to make each spot the correct color.

This zoo sound stamping activity is perfect for letter, sound, and fine motor practice with a zoo theme. Great for tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Sound Stamping:

Next, for more letter practice we used our dot stampers. We started out stamping inside the letter to make a Z. Then Madelynn had to find the upper and lowercase z’s in the zoo, stamp them and make the “Z” sound each time. Then she stamped the other letters different colors and tried to make the sounds for each one.

This zoo syllable sort activity is a fun and easy way to work on syllables with a zoo theme. Great for tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Syllable Sort:

Another activity we did to practice syllables was this zoo syllable sort. Madelynn clapped and counted the number of syllables in the picture on each animal belly.  Then she sorted each animal under the correct syllable label.

This zoo train name craftivity is fun for name writing, recognition, and fine motor practice with a zoo theme. Great for tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Train Name Craft:

For this week’s name craft we created this zoo train.  First Madelynn cut the train pieces out. Then she wrote the letters in her name on each car. After she finished writing, she glued the train pieces together and added the cars to the back in order to spell her name. To finish off the picture she used a black marker to draw a train track at the bottom and animal stickers riding in each car.

This zoo journal writing activity is a great way to show learning, practice fine motor skills and learn about writing. Great for tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Journaling:

For our journal this week Madelynn chose to design and label a zoo. After drawing a big arch for the entrance, she labeled it “zoo.” Next she added a lion (lon), penguin(pn), and giraffe(gf) and did her best at labeling those as well.

This zoo themed writing tray is great for number writing and fine motor practice with a zoo theme. Great for tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Number Writing Tray:

Our first math activity this week was a zoo themed number writing tray.  To make this fun sensory activity I filled our tray with green sand. Madelynn used animal number cards as a model and chose which ones she wanted to practice.  Then she used a zoo animals and/or her finger to write numbers in the tray.

Practice sorting 3D shapes by putting the animals in the right cage in this 3d Zoo sort. Perfect for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Roll and Move 3D Shapes:

Our other math focus this week was identifying and describing 3D shapes. I printed animal and 3D shape dice. Then I spread foam 3D shapes around the room. Madelynn rolled both dice.  Then she pretend to be the animal pictured  (bear walks, penguin waddles, etc.) and moved to find the 3D shape pictured.

Get moving and learning with this roll and move 3D shape activity. Roll and identify the shape then move like the animals to find the shape in the room. Perfect for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

3D Shape Animal Sort:

Next, we did a 3D shape sort with the animal cages and sorting animals. Madelynn identified the 3D shape on each animals belly. Then she sorted each animal into the cage with the matching 3D shape.

Get moving and learning with this roll and move 3D shape activity. Roll and identify the shape then move like the animals to find the shape in the room. Perfect for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

3D Shape Zoo Cages:

Our last 3D shape activity was Zoo 3D shape cage building. I printed 3D shape cards for Madelynn to use as a model and she used playdough and toothpicks to create each shape. Then she had fun putting her plastic zoo animals in their new cages.

Practice number sense with this zoo animal counting book. Have fun adding the right number of spots, stripes, etc. to each animal Perfect for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Zoo Animal Counting Book:

Finally, Madelynn practiced counting numbers 11-20 with this zoo animal counting book. I helped her read the sentence on each page.  Then she used crayons to color or add the correct number of spots, stripes, etc. to each animal.

We LOVE this build a zoo sensory bin. Perfect for exploration with a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Build a Zoo Sensory Bin:

In this bin: black beans, alphabet zoo animals, plastic fences, trees, alphabet puzzle

Since we used our alphabet zoo animals, after playing and building zoo exhibits, Madelynn matched each animal to the beginning sound using our puzzle.

Practice sorting 3D shapes by putting the animals in the right cage in this 3d Zoo sort. Perfect for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Build a Shape Animal:

After reading Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert we were inspired to create our own shape animals. I filled a tray with colorful cut outs in varying shapes and sizes.  Madelynn used shapes to create animals resembling those in the book

Practice zoo animal vocabulary with this vocabulary cards matching activity. Great for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Animal Characteristics Sort:

To add in more vocabulary practice, we talked about different types of animal coverings (fur, feathers, scales, etc).  We took turns describing animals that have each one of these coverings, then Madelynn sorted the pictures onto the correct mats.

We had a blast making these finger paint giraffes. Perfect for a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Giraffe Finger Paint:

For our second craft this week, we created this finger paint giraffe.  First, Madelynn cut out the giraffe outline. Next she dipped her finger in brown paint and stamped on the giraffe to create spots.  Then she cut out and snipped brown paper to create the giraffe’s mane. Finally she glued the mane behind the giraffe’s head, added googly eyes to the face and taped 2 pipe cleaners behind the head for horns.

We LOVED building a zoo with this play dough invitation. Perfect for exploration with a zoo theme in tot school, preschool, or even kindergarten!

Play Dough Zoo:

In this bin: colored play dough, skinny popsicle sticks, alphabet zoo animals

Want all of this week’s Zoo activities for preschool?  You can grab them here:
On my site : Zoo Plans & Printables On TpT: Zoo Plans & Printables

Tons of zoo themed activities and ideas. Weekly plan includes books, literacy, math, science, art, sensory bins, and more! Perfect for spring in tot school, preschool, or kindergarten.

Or you can grab our entire year of themes and plans:
On my site here: Preschool Bundle On TpT here: Preschool Bundle

45 weeks of engaging themed activities and ideas ready to go for your 3-4 year old. Weekly plans include reading comprehension, literacy, math, sensory play, arts & crafts and Science/social studies concepts. Everything you need for a year packed full of Preschool fun and learning.

Then check out the rest of our 45+ themes on the Preschool Curriculum Main Page.

by Jessica 
9 Comments

About Jessica

Bright ideas for the little learners ~ Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten is an education blog dedicated to fresh, engaging, and fun teaching ideas for toddlers, preschoolers, and the primary classroom.

View all posts by Jessica

Related Posts

  • Preschool: Thanksgiving
  • Preschool: All About Me
  • 20+ Apple Activities for Preschool to Plan your Week Now
  • Preschool: Ocean
previous article: Baby Bins: Spring
next article: Baby Bins: Zoo

Comments

  1. Nidhi says: September 3, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    Could you please provide printables separately.. can i purchase printable separately

    Reply
    • Jessica says: January 31, 2023 at 12:35 pm

      I’m sorry I do not sell the activities individually at this time.

      Reply

Leave Your Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join the newsletter

Subscribe to get our latest content by email.

We won't send you spam.
Unsubscribe at any time.

Join the FB Group

Archives

Hot Topics

Animals Baby Bins Back to School Books Colors Elementary fall fall fall Literacy Math Preschool Reading Recipes Seasonal Sensory Summer Shapes spring spring spring summer summer summer Technology Tot School Uncategorized winter winter winter Writing year round year round year round

Popular Posts

  • Tricks and Treats for Teachers Blog Hop

    October 3, 2014
  • Preschool: Weather

    October 24, 2017
  • Preschool: All About Me

    September 18, 2017

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 // Design by Laugh Eat Learn // Theme by Georgia Lou Studios

Copyright © 2025 · Prima Donna on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in