DO YOU WANT A LESSON THAT INVOLVES MANIPULATIVES, IMAGINATION, AND FUN? HERE IT IS. GEONIMAL JUNGLE crosses geometry with animals. A great review of shapes study. Students create their own geonimals by combining the shape patterns, creating both realistic and imaginary animals. See the project below.
ART:
1. Copy all materials.
Poem can be placed on a chart or overhead sheet so the students can copy. One copy of
sample animals so students can learn how to find shapes in animals and then draw animals using shapes.
Shape patterns can be copied on colored tag, then cut out, and placed in envelopes. Colored tag helps students find missing or lost pieces during work time.
2. Prep students as needed. You may need intense study of shapes or this may be a fun review. Look at pictures of animals and find shapes in the animal. Discuss HABITATS, BODY COVERINGS, BODY STRUCTURE, NEEDS, FOOD CHAIN, LOCOMOTION...any concepts that you wish to cover.
3. Students lay out shape pieces on their paper to make their animal. After they are satisfied with their project they may trace the shapes, color the animal in CRAYON, and trace the animal outline to help define it.
4. Talk about COLORING RULES: color in one direction, cover all the white unless it should be white, like clouds, color darkly for this project - it shows better.
5. Discuss BACKGROUND for the animals. What is the HABITAT? Draw the rest of the picture. Remind students to FILL THEIR SPACE - DRAW LARGE. Color neatly. Put name of student on back of the paper.
WRITING: Decide the portion of the poem you wish the students to copy. For older elementary, students may write some of the poem given and make a portion of the poem about their specific animal. Emphasize best penmanship since this will be posted in the Hallway. Place art and writing on a large piece of construction paper and attach the name label.
HALLWAY: Cut out trees and leaves to frame the student work. You may want to center a copy of the poem on the wall. Laminate everything that will be used future years.
By answering a few simple questions you can decide what kind of quality outdoor resources your community has. Great for EARTH DAY. Makes a fun Class Book to put in the Book Corner. At the end of the year remember to put the child's test in the Journal/Memory Book.
It's report card time again. Why not send out this report card with the 3rd quarter card. Discuss in detail prior to sending home. It can be used for extra credit. Have students color in class before sending home. When returned, post in the hallway so everyone can see how your class takes care of their world. Then make a class book so it can be enjoyed some more. At the end of the year place in Journal/Memory Books.
This makes a delightful Easter Gift, Mother Day's Gift or a nice gift for the elderly. If you ask early enough Wal-Mart or Target will give you the pots as a charitable write off, then go to a hobby store and see what you can get off for the rest of the material.
Each student can plant one and can be used as gifts to parents or even sent to the elderly to bring a spot of Spring to their life. 
VERY CUTE IDEA. Get out the ORIGAMI BOOKS and recycle those small pieces of wrapping paper. Have parents send in their left over pieces of wrapping paper instead of throwing them away. Have students make a variety of birds and string them to hang from the ceiling. Could be a gift project - maybe even give to Elderly Home so they can enjoy the movement and color during the dreary winter months.
Discuss New Year's hopes, dreams, and goals. Have students write wishes, poems, or greetings. Then students decorate two clothespins with stars or snowflakes. Clip these onto colored wire hangers (reuse). If can't find colored hangers, wrap the hanger with pipe cleaners to add color. Glue the message to a colorful piece of construction paper. Decorate with a New Year's symbol and clip it to the hanger. Gift to the parents after it hangs from your classroom ceiling.
