Dogz

(Ideas have come from various sources)

BONE PRINTS

Purchase a box of large dog bone snacks. Set the bones, shallow bowls of paint, and colourful construction paper on a table. Allow the students to dip the bones into the paint and press them on their papers to make designs.

Talk about why dogs enjoy the snacks and why the snacks are beneficial (source of vitamins, helps clean the teeth). You may also wish to explain that people often use these snacks as treats when they train dogs as well as other animals.

PAW PRINTS

Have the students help you make paw stamps. You may make them by carving potatoes with spoons, molding clay into paw shapes, or cutting corrugated cardboard and gluing it to another piece of cardboard. Allow the students to dip their stamps into shallow bowls of tempera paint and press onto paper.

STUFFED DOG SHAPES

Cut pair of dog shapes from a variety of colours of paper. Allow each student to choose colour. Allow them to colour and add collars, dog jackets, etc.
Staple or glue edges of dog shapes together leaving small opening. Stuff with wadded up newspapers--staple shut. Hang these from ceiling or use as wall display.
Let students name their dog.

HANDPRINT DOGS

Paint each student's palm the color they choose for their dog. Press hands on paper. When dry, allow students to use crayons, markers, paint or paper shapes to add the dog's face, tail, markings, etc. Encourage the students to draw backgrounds on their pictures showing the animal's environments, where they sleep, what they eat, etc.

DOG PARTS

Talk with the students about body parts. Explain that dogs have body parts too.
Have the student name all the body parts they can of a dog. Use a display to put labels on.

These ideas came from resource book--Terrific Topics PETS by Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.

I have a dog and his name is Rags.
He eats so much that his tummy sags.
His ears flip-flop,
And his tail wig-wags,
And when he walks he goes zig-zag.
He goes flip-flop, wig-wag, zig-zag. (three times)
I love Rags and he loves me.
(hands at either side of head for flip-flop, hips wiggle for wig-wag, arms cross for zig-zag)
My dog Rags he loves to play.
He rolls around in the mud all day.
I whistle but he won't obey.
He always runs the other way.

My Puppy...
I like to pat my puppy
(make puppy with one fist, pat)
He has such nice soft fur
(pat puppy)
And if I don't pull his tail
(pull tail)
He won't say "GrrrR!"
(make angry face)

I Wanna Be a Dog (Barry Polisar)
Oh I wanna be a dog,
I wanna wag my tail
Chase cars, knock over garbage cans
Bite the lady that brings me the mail
Oh I wanna be a dog
I wanna dig big holes
I wanna chase French poodles and basset hounds
And look for telephone poles
Oh I wanna have dog breath
I wanna learn to growl
Scratch fleas and ticks and run after sticks
The moon's gonna make me howl
Oh I wanna be a dog
I wanna big wet nose
I wanna run on the street, get mud on my feet
And put them all over your clothes
Oh I wanna have dog breath
I wanna learn to growl
Scratch fleas and ticks and run after sticks
The moon's gonna make me howl
Oh I wanna be a dog
I wanna lie around
Being human these days is getting a little crazy
I just want to be a hound
Being human these days is getting a little crazy
I just want to be a hound.

(How Much Is) That
Doggie in the Window?

(Words and Music by Bob Merrill)
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
The one with the waggely tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale
I must take a trip to California
And leave my poor sweetheart alone
If he has a dog he won't be lonesome
And he doggie will have a good home
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
The one with the waggely tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale
I read in the papers there are robbers
With flashlights that shine in the dark
My love needs a doggie to protect him
And scare them away with one bark
I don't want a bunny or a kitty,
I don't want a parrot that talks,
I don't want a bowl of little fishies;
He can't take a goldfish for walks.
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
The one with the waggely tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale

Make puppies from brown lunch bags. Let the child draw the face on the bag and glue on ears.

A Poodle in a Fuddle
ACTION VERSE
Children stand in a circle
Look from left to right
A poodle in a fuddle
In the middle of a puddle!
step left
Will he wade to the left?
step right
Will he wade to the right?
step into the middle
Will he stay in the middle
Point up to the sun
Till the sun shines bright?
Hold hands over head to form sun
When the sun shines bright,
Crisscross arms and move one left, one right
Will the puddle disappear?
Point to floor in front where standing
Will the poodle in the middle
Cup hands to mouth and say this louder, as though cheering
Give a great, big cheer?!

Smart Dogs
Five stuffed dogs sitting in a row.
"Tell me please, what do you know?"
The first one said, "I know my name."
The 2nd one said, "I know a game."
The 3rd one said, "I know a song."
The 4th one said, "I know right from wrong"
The 5th one said, "I'll tell you true, What I know is that I Love you."

DISCUSSION: Ask children something that they know. Do they know their name, a game, or a song? Dog #4 knew right from wrong, how do we know what is right from wrong?

Decorate the front door with a discreet Kennel Club sign. Inside, set up a table as the groomer's salon. Hang a sign to that effect and place a mirror on the table. Fill the playroom with doghouses made from large cardboard
boxes--one for each kid, with his name over a simple cutout door. (Wait until the kids arrive if you think they'll choose special puppy names.)

Doghouse facades are even simpler to make. Cut them from the sides of a box and lean them against a wall.
With the addition of clean dog bowls, the scene is set for playtime, games and snacks

Two Little Puppy Dogs
Two little puppy dogs (hold up two fingers.)
Lying in a heap, (let two fingers fall down.)
Soft and Wooly (pet two fingers with opposite hand.)
And fast asleep. (lay hands against the side of your face and close eyes.)
Along came a pussycat (hold up one finger from opposite hand and move toward the two little fingers.)
Creeping near, "Meow",
She cried right in their ear.
Two little puppy dogs (hold up two fingers)
After one cat, (two fingers chase the one finger).
Did you ever play tag like that? (point to the children)

This Little Doggie
(Start by holding up five fingers.)
This little doggie ran away to play. (take one finger away)
This little doggie said, "I'll go too some day." (take next finger away.)
This little doggie began to dig and dig. (pretend to dig with next finger, then take it away.)
This little doggie danced a funny jig. (pretend to dance with next finger, then take it away.)
This little doggie cried, "Ki! Yi! Ki! Yi!
I wish I were big." (take last finger away.)

LANGUAGE IDEA
Using stuffed animals as props, talk with your children about the proper way to hold, pet, and play with dogs.

SNACK IDEA
Use cookie cutters to cut toast into bone shapes for "doggy snacks"

Yarn Dog
Materials: Coloured rug yarn or thick 8 ply knitting wool, Paper, White Glue,
Dog Photos or Pictures, Cardboard
What to Do: Trace a good, clear picture of a dog, the larger the better, onto the cardboard. Cut the yarn or wool into 1" or 2" strands. Use an egg carton to separate the colors & to make selecting and handling of the yarn easier.
The child then glues the yarn strands onto the dog outline to make hair & a tail.
Draw a mouth & eyes & define the ears & the tail. Finally invent an appropriate name for the dog.

Humane Society
Find out where your local Humane Society is located. Call to find out about educational services; some have tours and classes for children that your group might be able to join in; some have reproducible educational materials on caring for pets and animal safety.

My Puppy
My puppy has a doghouse,
just outside my door.
He licks me when I pet him,
and wags his tail for more.
He's always there beside me,
no matter what I do.
My puppy is my special friend,
and a family member, too.

I HAD A LITTLE POODLE

I had a little poodle (clenched fist for poodle)
His coat was silver grey
One day I thought I'd bathe him
To wash the dirt away. (scrub fist)
I washed my little poodle
Then dried him with a towel. (pat fist)
My poodle seemed to like his bath
He didn't even growl.

MY DOG

My dog listens when I talk
He goes with me for a walk
When I sleep, he sleeps too.
He does everything that I do.
When my sister/brother/friend makes me mad,
He hangs his head and looks so sad.
He cuddles up and licks my hand
And tells me he can understand.

FLEAGLE THE BEAGLE

Fleagle the Beagle! (cup hands to mouth as if calling)
It's time for the tub! (point to wrist watch)
I know you don't like it (point to self to the fleagle)
But you need a scrub!!! (make scrubbing motions)
I'll washk you with soap (make scrubbing circles)
From your tail to your head, (point to tail and head)
And when you're all clean (hold palms up)
You can sleep on my bed. (rest head in hands)


Make Clifford the big red dog.

Use a triangle shaped piece of red paper.
Fold down the ends to become ears. Put a black nose on the pointed end and add some eyes and whisker freckles.

Have the children discuss the different types of dogs there are: big & small, fluffy and smooth, etc.

Have the children write an ad for what type of puppy they are and what kind of owner they are looking for.

Discuss the things needed to take care of puppies.

Let children glue pieces of yarn on a pre-cut out shape of a dog.

Let them sponge paint paw prints on a piece of paper.

Let the children put on a pretend dog show, showing all the kind of tricks they know.

Discuss the many useful jobs dogs have: police dog, seeing eye dog, sled dog, rescue dog, guard dog, etc.

At circle time sing “Animal Crackers In My Soup.” Make chicken noodle soup with animal crackers in it.

At many toy stores you can buy those small plastic animals for cheap to put in your block area.

Obedience School
Based on Simon Says, preface the commands with "the trainer says…"
Use appropriate dog tricks or behaviors such as: lie down, beg for a treat, roll over, speak ( woof), scratch your ear, wag your tail, show your tongue and pant.

Vet’s office
Set up a vet’s office with an examination table, a couple of stuffed dogs toys, a small plastic pet carrier and a doctor’s kit.

There’s a Doggy at the Door - By Scott Smith
(Tune: If you’re Happy and You Know It?)

There’s a doggy at the door
at the door.
There’s a doggy at the door
at the door.
Oh who could ask for more
Then a doggy at the door?
There’s a doggy at the door
at the door.

There’s a doggy in the house
in the house.
There’s a doggy in the house
in the house.
Are you sure it’s not a mouse?
No, a doggy in the house
There’s a doggy in the house,
in the house.

There’s a doggy on the stair,
on the stair.
There’s a doggy on the stair,
on the stair.
Doesn’t anybody care
That a doggy’s on the stair?
There’s a doggy on the stair,
on the stair.

There’s a doggy in the hall,
in the hall.
There’s a doggy in the hall,
in the hall.
Well, he’s playing with a ball,
The little doggy in the hall.
There’s a doggy in the hall,
in the hall.

There’s a doggy in my room,
in my room.
There’s a doggy in my room,
in my room.
Now he’s chewing on a broom,
The little doggy in my room.
There’s a doggy in my room,
in my room.

There’s a doggy on my bed,
on my bed.
There’s a doggy on my bed,
on my bed.
Now he’s licking at my head.
The little doggy on my bed.
There’s a doggy on my bed,
on my bed.

Language/ Photo Board
Ask parents to provide a photo of their family pets if they have one, or a neighbor’s dog. Make a photo display in the classroom using the pet photos.
In what ways are the pets alike? Talk about size, color and breed differences.

Puppets - set out dog puppets

"Spot" books by Eric Hill
"Carl" books by Alexandra Day
"I am a Little Dog" by Francois Crozat (1989)
Clifford Books by Norman Bridwell
"Harry the Dirty Dog" by Gene Zion
The Dog Who Thought He Was a Boy" by Cora Annett
"The First Dog" by Jan Brett
"The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy" by Jane Thayer
"Where's the Puppy?" by Deborah Shine

Five Little Puppies
Five little puppies were playing in the sun. (hold up hands, fingers extended)
This one saw a rabbit, and he began to run. (bend down 1st finger)
This one saw a butterfly, and he began to race. (bend down 2nd finger)
This one saw a cat, and he began to chase. (bend down 3rd finger)
This one tried to catch his tail, and he went round and round. (bend down 4th finger)
This one was so quiet, he never made a sound. (bend down thumb)

Folded Paper Puppy...
Cut out a triangle shape for each child out of brown construction paper
or out of white. Children fold the long edges. You do this as if you
were ear marking a book page. Have children then add eyes and nose.

Little Puppies

Little puppy one fell asleep in the sun.
(pretend to be sleeping)
Little puppy two likes to play with my shoe.
(point to shoe)
Little puppy three always kisses me.
(point to cheek)
Little puppy four ran out the door.
(fingers run)
Little puppy five watched a crow dive.
(hands dive)
Little puppy six likes to do little tricks.
(pretend to be sitting up like a dog)
Little puppy seven counted stars in heaven.
(count, looking at sky)
Little puppy eight jumped over the gate.
(fingers jump over the gate)
Little puppy nine sat down to dine.
(pretend to eat)
Little puppy ten fell asleep in the den.
(pretend to sleep)
Can you count the puppies?
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.

Make a three dimensional picture by making a dog house out of craft sticks, a dog from furry material, a cord leash, water bowl from wall paper, a real dog bone, etc.

Make dog tags . have the children choose dog names for themselves. Write the name on a construction shaped bone. Have children decorate their bones.
Attach yarn and let them wear them.

Buy a box of dog biscuits. Get 5 bowls and number from one to five. Have children put the correct number of biscuits in bowl. The biscuits come in colours, so they can also sort by color.

Make People Biscuits!

People Biscuits
1 1/2 cup all - purpose flour, 2/3 cup milk, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese,
1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons margarine, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 egg, Raisins
Soften the margarine to room temperature. Mix all of the ingredients except the egg with a fork to form a soft dough. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 10 times. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. With a gingerbread man cookie cutter, cut out the dough and placed on a greased cookie sheet. Brush the biscuits with a beaten egg. Add raisin eyes.
Bake in 400 degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown.
Enjoy your People Biscuits!

Six Little Dogs (tune: Six Little Ducks)

Six little dogs that I once knew,
fat ones, skinny ones, fair ones too.
But the one little dog with the brown curly fur,
He led the others with a grr, grr, grr.
Grr, grr, grr
Grr, grr, grr
He led the others with a grr, grr, GRR!

Dog Bone Printing - Provide different size dog bones, a tray of tempera paint and paper to make prints.

My three year olds like to play Doggie, Doggie, Where's Your Bone?
They sit in a semi-circle with one child sitting in a chair facing away from the group. Place a toy bone, or beanbag under the chair. One child is chosen to go "steal the bone". All of the children then sit with their
hands behind their backs and say, "Doggie, doggie, where's your bone?
Someone stole it from your home!" The "Doggie" then turns around and tries to guess who has the bone.

I scouted at thrift stores and rummage sales and found a bunch of stuffed dogs for my classroom. We painted a big box for the dog house. I found some dog bowls also. The dogs live in our dramatic play area and when we do our dog theme they come out. Especially and when we sing "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window". We also use them to learn about how to treat a dog or stranger dog. Each child gets a dog to hold.

Fold a large sheet of paper long like a hot dog bun (not short like a taco) and trace a dog shape on it (head, body, tail and two legs). Cut out the dog shape and fold open. The dog will stand up on four legs (the back is the fold of paper). Decorate and tie yarn around the neck and take Fido for a walk.
This sounds hard, but it's really easy. I make a large, thick black line tracing for the children to cut. I also make a fairly thick tail so it doesn't get cut off.

Puppy Chow
1 stick butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
1 box Crispix cereal
2 cups 10X sugar

Melt together butter, semisweet chocolate chips and peanut butter. Pour over 1 box of Crispix cereal in medium bowl. Put 10X sugar in a large bowl and add the ingredients to coat. Serve in a plastic bag.

How do dogs eat? Put a favorite snack, cupcake, etc. on a paper plate on the floor. Have children get down on their hands and knees and try to eat without using their hands. What about water? Can they drink out of a cereal bowl filled with water?

Buy new dog dishes and have the kids decorate them with stickers. They can use them for cereal bowls at home or just to hold trinkets.

How many favorite stories have dogs in them? Clifford the Big Red Dog...he has a lot of fun titles. Little Red Riding Hood. Three Little Pigs. Snoopy. Garfield. Lassie. Shaggy DA. Benji. 101 Dalmations. Beethoven.

Dog Activities

My Puppy...
I like to pat my puppy
(make puppy with one fist, pat)
He has such nice soft fur
(pat puppy)
And if I don't pull his tail
(pull tail)
He won't say "GrrrR!"
(make angry face)

Make puppies from brown lunch bags. Let the child draw the face on the bag and glue on ears.

SNACK IDEA
Use cookie cutters to cut toast into bone shapes for "doggy snacks"

DOGS

* Game - Doggie, doggiem where's your bone? - Children sit in a circle.
One child is chosen to crouch in the middle with eyes closed. A bell or another object to represent a bone is sitting next to the child in the centre. A child from the circle is chosen to sneak up and take the "bone" and go
back to there place, putting the "bone" behind them. The class then chants "Doggie, doggie, where's your bone, someone stole it from your home."
The centre child then looks up and has 3 guesses to who took the "bone". My kids love this game! The reason I use a bell, is that it makes a noise, and the children then try to keep it quiet as they know the bell ringing gives the centre person a good clue as to who has it!

* Have someone from the blind association to bring a guide dog in and to talk to the class about the dog and what he does, how he is trained, etc.

* Have a mobile dog wash come to wash a dog.

* Game to make - have dog cut outs with different numbers of dots on them. Have dog house cut outs with corresponding numbers written on them. The children count the dots on each dog and match it to the dog house with the corresponding number.

* Spot the dog - read Spot the dog stories. Give children a sheet with a dog outline on it. Children cut it out, and then count and glue on (10) black spots.

Make a spotty cake by putting blobs of chocolate cake mix in with normal cake mix.  Decorate in white icing and add  black spots and doggy decorations.