Assemble pictures of different kinds of animals and lay them out on a flat surface. Gather pictures of all kinds of animals: mammals, fish, reptiles, birds, etc. Ask your children to group the pictures according to the type of animal (mammal, reptile, bird) and separate the groups from each other. Ask your children to describe the differences between the groups of animals and then discuss the differences between the animals that belong in the same group. When discussing the differences, ask the children what Morris the Moose used to identify the animals he met and what those animals named as differences between themselves and Morris the Moose.
After reading the story, assemble the group and ask each child to draw a picture of himself on a piece of blank paper. Give the children markers and crayons and allow them to have enough time to complete a detailed picture of themselves. Hang the completed pictures on a blackboard or on the wall so all of the pictures can be viewed at the same time. Ask the children to point out the differences they see between the different faces and bodies in the pictures. Children might identify things like hair color, skin color, and body shape. Close the activity by explaining to the children that while they are all very different, they are all people just like the new friends Morris the Moose met were all different but they were all animals.
After reading the story, ask the children to name the different animals that appeared in the story and write them on the board. Under the name of each animal, have the children list the characteristics of that animal. Children might name things like "horns" and "says Moo" about the cow and "antlers" and "four legs" under the deer. After completing the list, have the children identify the differences and similarities between the animals. After completing this exercise, you might have the children each select an animal from the list and draw a picture that incorporates all of the characteristics they named as a group.
Gather the children into a group and ask them to guess what animal you are describing. Give the group one clue at a time about the animal you have in mind and let the children call out their guesses. Clues you might give could be things like "four legs," "long fur," and the sound the animal makes. When a child guesses the correct animal, reward him with a sticker or a piece of candy, then begin again with another animal.