Zebra

Our first and second graders are learning about unusual animals to prepare for their big research projects.  We started off with the zebra.  We compared the zebra stripes to our own fingerprints.  Each zebra has a unique set of stripes just like our fingerprints are unique to us.  We looked at the three types of fingerprints: the arch, the whorl and the loop, and classified our own prints. 

The kids tried to think of other animals that have unique coats like the zebra.  Can you think of any?


After we learned some fascinating facts about the zebra we read a clever book called "A is for Zebra".  The kids all had puzzled looks on their faces.  "Wait!  Z is for Zebra!"  Once we started reading our book they quickly learned why A is for Zebra.  This book uses the last letter of the word instead of the first.  We went through the whole alphabet and found many things in the pictures that ended with each letter. 

Our animal lesson wouldn't be complete without doing a fun art activity.  The kids cut out blank zebras (with no stripes).  We used marbles to paint the stripes on our zebras. What fun it is to roll the marbles around all over.  Some got more paint on the box than they got on the zebra, but that is part of the fun.  Here are our finished products.