Materials List:
– Large cardboard box
– Recyclables such as empty cereal boxes, plastic bottles, or egg cartons
– Paint or markers
– Scissors
– Glue

Preschool Learning Objectives:
– Develop fine motor skills by placing recyclables into the box animal’s mouth
– Gain an understanding of different animals and their diets
– Build imagination and creativity through pretend play at the zoo

Teacher Instructions:
1. Begin by decorating the large cardboard box to resemble an animal. This could include adding ears, eyes, a mouth, and any other features that match the chosen animal.
2. Cut a hole in the mouth area of the box large enough for the recyclables to fit through.
3. Place the recyclables in a pile nearby for the children to use as “animal food”.
4. Encourage the children to take turns feeding the box animal by placing the recyclables through the mouth hole.
5. Use this activity as an opportunity to discuss what each animal eats and why it’s important to feed them properly.

Teacher Tips for Differentiated Instruction:
1. For children who may need extra support with fine motor skills, provide larger recyclables that are easier to grip and place into the box animal’s mouth.
2. For children who are more advanced, challenge them to sort the recyclables by type before feeding the box animal.

Assessment Suggestions:
– Observe how the children interact with the activity and assess their ability to follow directions and engage in pretend play.
– Take note of which animals the children choose to pretend to feed and their understanding of what that animal might eat.