Did you know the first week in May is Be Kind to Animals Week? Here are a few ideas to help you get that message across to your children...no matter what month it is.

1. Here is a poem to read, taken from May Days, Macmillan Seasonal Activity Packs, 1985.

Little children, never give
Pain to things that feel or live.
Let the gentle robin find
All the crumbs you leave behind.
Feed your dog and let him run
Bounce and play and bark in fun.
Pet the kitten soft and small;
She'll come to you when you call.
Let the bunny hop and play
On the lawn at close of day.
Watch the chipmunk or the mouse
Peep out of her little house.
Let these creatures run along
And do not do them any wrong.

2. Have children tell how they can be kind to the animals in the poem, as well as to others they name. Write down their suggestions.

3. Older children will be able to illustrate the poem above, write down how they will be kind to the animals, and put the pages into a booklet.

4. Make a copy of the poem and have children frame or underline words you dictate, words that begin with a certain letter or sound, adjectives, nouns, verbs, plurals, 2-syllable words, the contraction, or rhyming words. Do a few categories and have children use different colored crayons or pencils.

5. Give oral or visual (written) clues so that children can guess the animal you have in mind. Play it like a game and see who can guess the mystery animal in the least amount of clues!

6. Let children play Animal Charades. Whisper an animal's name to a child, have him act like that animal, and have the other children guess the name of the animal.

7. Cut out pictures of animals from newspapers, magazines, catalogues, flyers, brochures, or any other resource. Have children make collages of pets, farm animals, zoo animals, large animals, small animals...you get the idea.

8. Discuss what kind of animal would make a good pet for your classroom or living situation. Write down the positives and negatives. What will the pet need for food and living space? What supplies will it need? Who will take care of it? When the pet grows bigger, will it still be suitable for your classroom or living situation? What will you do with your pet when you go on vacation or when the weather is extremely bad? Will you be able to afford this pet's upkeep? Will this pet get along well with children?? Take all these factors into consideration when you make a decision as to the pet you should choose!

9. Discuss seeing-eye dogs and police dogs. Should you bother them when they are working?

I hope these ideas have been useful and have inspired your own creativity. Remember...Reading is FUNdamental!!

Freda J. Glatt, MS, retired from teaching after a 34-year career in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Her focus, now, is to reach out and help others reinforce reading comprehension and develop a love for reading. Visit her site at http://www.sandralreading.com  Reading is FUNdamental!