Tummy Time Safari

Lesson 2 of 8 in the Unit: Zoo Animal Explorers

Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 15 Preschool Students (Ages 3–5)

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Curriculum Links

Learning Area:

Social Sciences – Tikanga ā iwi

Specific Strand:

Place and Environment
Children learn about how animals and people interact with and care for the places they live, including the food systems and environments animals depend on.

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Te Whāriki (NZ Early Childhood Curriculum Links):

• Strand: Contribution / Mana Tangata
  “Children develop increasing abilities to take another’s point of view and empathy for others.”
• Strand: Exploration / Mana Aotūroa
  “Children develop working theories for making sense of the natural environment and the living world.”

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Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, ākonga (students) will:

• Be introduced to the concepts of carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores.
• Begin to group animals based on what they eat.
• Develop curiosity and vocabulary around animals’ diets and the environment they live in.
• Strengthen classification and observation skills through sorting and discussion.

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Key Competencies Focus

• Thinking: Identifying, classifying and making connections between animals and food.
• Using Language, Symbols and Texts: Learning and using new words like ‘herbivore’, ‘carnivore’, and ‘omnivore’.
• Participating and Contributing: Working together in group sorting games and carpet discussions.

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Māori Perspective

Introduce the word "kai" (food) in te reo Māori.
Explore kai of native animals like the kiwi (eats insects, worms – carnivore) and the kererū (eats berries – herbivore). Incorporate native storytelling from the land and the animals’ relationship to Papatūānuku (the Earth Mother).

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Resources Needed

• Mystery "Kai Box" containing:
  • Toy or real food items (plastic fruits, plastic meat, mixed items)
  • Laminated food flashcards
• Animal photo cards (including kiwi, lion, elephant, panda, pig, kererū, crocodile, kōkako)
• Coloured hoops or baskets for sorting
• A3 classification worksheet with 3 columns ("Carnivore", "Herbivore", "Omnivore") with visual symbols
• Whiteboard and animal puppets for storytelling
• Stickers for encouragement
• Optional costume dress-ups (zookeeper hats or animal ears)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Welcoming Circle & Recap (10 mins)

Begin on the mat with a karakia timatanga (opening prayer/blessing).
Briefly recap Lesson 1 ("What animals live in a zoo?").
Ask:

“Do animals eat the same things we do?”
“What do you think a lion eats? What about a parrot?”

Introduce three terms with visual icons:

• Carnivore 🦁 (meat-eater)
• Herbivore 🐮 (plant-eater)
• Omnivore 🐻 (both!)

Use puppets to act out silly eating habits (e.g., a lion trying to eat a carrot – “No way!”)

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2. Provocation: The Mysterious Kai Box (10 mins)

Bring out the Kai Mystery Box. Pull out food items one at a time (e.g., pretend steak, apple, fish, banana, crab).
Ask students:

“Who might eat this food? Let's guess!”

Place the item in front of one of three large visual posters for Carnivore, Herbivore, or Omnivore. Introduce the Māori name for each item e.g., āporo (apple), ika (fish).

Build anticipation and curiosity through drama and wonder-style questioning:

“Ooooh! What’s this long green leaf doing in our box!?”

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3. Group Sorting Activity – Who Eats What? (15 mins)

Divide the class into three small groups (5 per group). Give each group a selection of laminated animal photo cards & toy food items or flashcards.
Groups will match each animal to its likely kai by placing them in coloured hoops:

• Green hoop = Herbivore
• Red hoop = Carnivore
• Yellow hoop = Omnivore

Support developmentally appropriate discussions using prompts:

“Do you remember what the bear ate?”
“Did the elephant choose meat?”

Teacher and support staff wander to guide, observe, and ask deeper questions.

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4. Hands-On Worksheet (15 mins)

Each ākonga receives their simplified classification sheet with pictures.

Instructions:

• Glue or stick animal stickers/pictures in the correct column
• Carnivore | Herbivore | Omnivore
• Encourage drawing or colouring favourite zoo animals after sorting

Use this time to encourage quiet conversation and retelling of what they’ve learned.

For example:

“Luca, I see you put the pig in Omnivores – can you tell me why?”

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5. Reflection & Sharing Circle (10 mins)

Gather back on the mat. Invite a few students to show their work.
Circle prompts:

• “What did you learn about animal food today?”
• “If you were an animal, what kind would you be – and why?”
• “Could a crocodile and a sheep share lunch?”

End with a joyful chant about animal eating habits:

“If you're a lion and you know it, ROAR and chomp your meat!”

Final karakia whakamutunga (closing blessing)
Hand out stickers for participation and positive contributions.

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Optional Extension Activities

• Outdoor Play: Hide animal pictures around the playground — scavenger hunt with “diet detectives” hats.
• Art Station: Use paint to make animal food murals (e.g., collage of leaves for herbivores).
• Music and Movement: Role-play animal movements based on their diet (e.g., creeping carnivores, munching herbivores).

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Assessment for Learning

Assessment is through:

• Observations during sorting and discussion
• Participation and vocabulary use
• Accuracy and reasoning during the worksheet activity
• Engagement indicators (e.g., level of curiosity, turn-taking, sharing ideas)

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Teacher Reflection Opportunities

Consider:

• Were children using new vocabulary appropriately?
• Did any learners surprise you with their reasoning or leadership?
• How did the te ao Māori elements enhance understanding?

Collate photos and voice documentation for learning stories and student portfolios.

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Whānau Connection

Send home a short “Zoo Diet Detective” activity sheet for tamariki to talk about animal diets with their whānau. Encourage families to look for foods people and pets eat at home – are they omnivores too?

Encourage sharing of household pets’ diets and photos next session.

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🎉 Ka pai, Zoo Explorers! Next week: How Do Animals Stay Safe in the Wild? 🐾