Do they think the pictures help them understand animals in different ways?
Main activity
Ask the class to think of as many animal catch phrases as they can. Write them up on a board or flip chart.
For example:
- as busy as a bee
- dog tired
- big bad wolf
- a wolf in sheep's clothing
Ask groups of students to decide what phrases they think reflect positively on animals and which are negative.
Extension activity
Ask groups of students to think about the different ways in which animals are represented to us - through newspapers, cartoons, films and advertising.
What are their favourite and least favourite images of animals and why?
Plenary
Ask each group to feed back to the class and consider the images the groups have brought up.
Why do the students think we represent animals in these ways?
Do 'cute' images of animals help us to understand animals better?
Have the class reached a consensus?
Teachers' background
More animal comparisons:
- rabbiting on
- cunning as a fox
- noisy as an elephant
- laughing like a hyena
- as fat as a hippopotamus
- as quiet as a mouse
- as gentle as a lamb
- as brave as a lion
- as tall as a giraffe
- as strong as an ox
- as proud as a peacock
- as wise as an owl
- as blind as a bat
- as slippery as an eel
- as hairy as a gorilla
- as slow as a snail
- as fat as a cow
For all links and resources click at top right.
Resources: Animal images
