Instruct parents to set up a monkey obstacle course in their backyard. Kids can climb on monkey bars or swing on rope swings. Set up at least three stations for the kids to run back and forth from. The catch is, they have to act like a monkey while they are doing it. Inform the kids that they will need to make monkey noises and scratch their armpits. This lesson will easily incorporate physical education and imaginative play.
Instruct each student to go home and decide which zoo animal is their favorite. The students will then need to bring in a visual aid to show which animal they have chosen. They could draw a picture, cut one out of a magazine or bring in their favorite stuffed animal. Instruct the students to learn what sound the animal makes and two interesting facts about the animal they have chosen. They can then share what they have learned with their classmates.
Instruct parents to help their children draw a graph. On the graph, you will have rows of animals that have scales, animals that have fur and animals that have feathers. Have the parents search through magazines with their children. They will need to cut out and paste at least three animals for each of these characteristics. The parents can discuss with the children other characteristics these animals share, as well.
Incorporating the art of music into your zoo-themed homework assignments will add a creative layer of fun for students and parents. Teach the children the lyrics to the "Going to the Zoo Today" song. They are as follows: "I'm going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you ooo ooo? We're gonna see a lion. (Insert any animal name into this phrase). At the zoo ooo ooo!" Have the kids teach and sing this song to their parents.