CU 6.03Animal Puzzles: Introduction

1. 1

   Invite the child to the shelf and name the five puzzles: fish, frog, turtle, bird, horse.

2. 2

   Carry the fish puzzle to the rug with both hands, holding it flat.

3. 3

   Show the class fish or a photograph: 'Here is a real fish. The puzzle is a picture of a fish.'

4. 4

   Lift each piece out by its knob, trace its edge with two fingers, and lay it on the rug in the shape of the fish.

5. 5

   Put each piece back, tracing it first and finding its space.

6. 6

   Invite the child to take out and replace the pieces.

7. 7

   Say: 'Each piece is a part of the fish's body, and each part has a name. We will learn them another day.'

8. 8

   Show how to return the puzzle to the shelf. On later days, introduce the frog, turtle, bird, and horse puzzles the same way.

What catches the child’s eye

• Taking out the pieces one by one until the whole animal lies apart on the rug
• Five animals side by side, each a very different shape

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Work all five puzzles and lay the animals side by side
2. Match each puzzle to a photograph of the real animal
3. Trace the outline of a whole puzzle animal on paper
4. Go on to the class-by-class works: Parts of a Fish, Frog, Turtle, Bird, and Horse