This is a series of sequential activities to initiate the project. It should be covered over two or three sessions in a fairly short space of time i.e. over a period of a week and ideally not less than a fortnight, in order to maintain momentum and interest for young children.
It should be followed with the enrichment activities over the ensuing weeks to reinforce and explore the messages on the CD
Prior to lesson – send out letter asking children to bring in a photo or drawing of their family pet).
1. Pre-lesson on being healthy and happy
SEAL posters, pictures, resources about health, well being, people who help us in our everyday lives
2. Read ‘Dear Zoo’ as introduction to a concept of an ideal pet.
Ask children if they have any pets? Use the activity Circle time to discuss the children’s pets and their needs.
YR Circle Time_st_en from Blue Dog on Vimeo.
(NB these video clips are only examples of what the activity i.e. ‘circle time’ look like, and may not be an example of the actual discussion might be) Share photos, drawings children may have brought in.
Talk to the children about their basic likes and dislikes; draw pictures and make lists.
What do the children need to be healthy and happy? Begin to relate this to pets.
Give the children opportunity to paint, collage or draw their real or ideal pet. Use their pictures and photos as background to a table top display of items related to animal pets, label with speech bubbles ‘My cat likes to play with…. ‘My dog wears a collar because ….’ ‘My hamster likes this bowl to…’
3. What does a dog need?
Use a small soft toy dog as class pet. Think of a name and then brainstorm with children what the class pet needs to be looked after properly. E.g. what kind of food and drink do dogs need, exercise – walk, ill – vets, love etc.
Possibly children could take it in turns to take this toy pet home for the weekends, they could create a diary showing in words, photos or pictures of what the dog did with the family over the weekend.
YR Brainstorming_st_en from Blue Dog on Vimeo.
Set up display table or wall about the children’s pets and talk about them. Do the children help to care for their pets and what do they need?
4. Circle time on behaviours
Human behaviour scenarios – give children some small treat to eat and get another child to pretend to snatch this – how do the children feel, another child pretending to be ill and another child pulls at them to come and play What solutions do the children come up with and who, how might they involve adult help. Adult take photos of the scenarios and help children to decide on labels for these ‘I like it when….’ ‘I don’t like it when…’
5. Introduce Blue Dog puppet
What do we think he needs and how does he feel when he is eating, not well etc Then introduce book and CD – pick out a couple of the teaching points as main features or concepts to get across to the children.
6. Look at Blue dog behaviours
Use Blue dog costume and re enact scenarios and relate to previous lesson. Teacher to take photos of these scenarios – compare with human behaviours and add further speech bubbles to the display for discussion and reinforcement
Then introduce the CD ROM ‘The Blue Dog’
We are going to watch a programme about Blue the dog. He lives in a house with Simon, Sarah, their parents and Tommy the cat. He is going to teach us about how to behave with pet dogs.
Scenario 1: Choose option ‘Teddy’. Turn to page 24
Talk through scenario why Blue growls when Sarah reaches for her teddy near where Blue is eating his bone – follow guide.
Scenario 2 Simon tries to take his toy out of Blues mouth – follow guide page 26 (link to pdf online?)
Explain how to manipulate the program and that we will be exploring different aspects of this project over the coming weeks – NB at the end of the project the CD Rom may be made available for the children to use independently, but the adult should guide the children through the scenarios initially and explain what the correct behaviours are to use around any dog, including those in the family home.
Plenary
What have we learnt from Blue about how to behave around dogs so far?
E.g. warning signs
showing teeth, growling
to ask a parent for help
how dogs might feel
food and toys are special to dogs
ICT
ICT (Extra materials)
In the downloads you will find:
- Pictures for colouring
- Shapes to make animals
- Animal picture cards for games
Example 1: Understanding what a pet is.
Identifying the animal.
Which one is the ideal pet?
Match the animal with the right home.
Example 2:
Understanding the needs of a dog.
What kind of food does Blue need?
What objects does Blue need?
What things do children need?
The children’s corner can be used as an interactive tool:
Dan’s Zoo
In the Zoo, there are different animals. Look for the ideal pet!
How to play the game:
When an animal appears, pass the computer mouse over the squares and match the one showing the correct colour and animal noise.
Tiny’s Kids
In the game Tiny’s Kids, there are pet and wild animals. Have a look …
In this game, Tiny’s kids are looking for their mum. All kids look different.
Match the right mum and kids.
See how happy the kids are when they find their mum. Listen to mum singing a lullaby.
Blue is thirsty
Blue lives in a nice comfortable home. Right now, Blue is thirsty and looking for a drink. Can you help Blue to find the right water to drink?
Click on the different places that contain water.
Many are not suitable for drinking. Can you help Blue find the one place where the water is for drinking.
Use this game to help talk about a dog’s needs.
Blue is hungry
Blue is hungry and he goes to the shop with his owner. There are many things for sale: some a good for Blue to eat but others are not. Can you help Blue find the food that is good for him?
Click on the different things on the shelves. The wrong things will give him a tummy ache, but the right food will make him happy.
Blue at the vet
Blue is feeling not very well and his owner has taken him to the vet. See Blue sitting on the vet’s table looking sick and a bit scared.
Ask the children to help the vet by clicking on the objects along the bottom.
Blue at the toy shop
Blue is in the toy shop and he is looking for new toys to put in his basket.
Can you help Blue to pick the toys that are best for him?
How does Blue feel when he gets a toy in his basket?
(If he pics a child’s toy, it jumps back on to the shelf)
Assessment
Do the children understand what a pet is?
Do children understand what a dog needs?
(Prior to lesson – send out letter asking children to bring in a photo or drawing of their family pet).
Read ‘Dear zoo’ as introduction to a concept of an ideal pet. Ask children if they have any pets? Circle time – Share photos, drawings children may have brought in.
Set up display table or wall about the children’s pets and talk about them.
Use a small soft toy dog as class pet. Think of a name and then brainstorm with children what the class pet needs to be looked after properly. Just for example:
- What name would you give your pet?
- What kind of food and drink do dogs need?
- What else does a dog need in order to feel happy (walks, exercise, etc)?
- What does he need to do when he is ill?
Possibly children could take it in turns to take this toy pet home for the weekends, they could create a diary showing in words, photos or pictures of what the dog did with the family over the weekend.
Talk to the children about their basic likes and dislikes, draw pictures and make lists.
Then introduce the CD ROM ‘The Blue Dog’.
We are going to watch a programme about Blue the dog. He lives in a house with Simon, Sarah, their parents and Tommy the cat. He is going to teach us about how to behave with pet dogs.
- In the Blue Dog parent guide , select the ‘Teddy’ story on page 24 or download this page from the materials. Talk through scenario why Blue growls when Sarah reaches for her teddy near where Blue is eating his bone.
- In the Blue Dog parent guide , select the ‘Teddy’ story on page 26 or download this page from the materials. Simon tries to take his toy out of Blue’s mouth. The story explains why Blue will not let go of the rabbit.
Plenary
What have we learnt from Blue about how to behave around dogs so far?
E.g. – What are the dog’s warning signs? ( showing teeth, growling)
– When should you ask a grown up for help?
– How might dogs feel?
– What kind of food and toys are special to dogs?
ICT (Extra materials)
In the downloads you will find:
- Pictures for colouring
- Shapes to make animals
- Animal picture cards for games
Example 1: Understanding what a pet is.
Identifying the animal.
Which one is the ideal pet?
Match the animal with the right home.
Example 2:
Understanding the needs of a dog.
What kind of food does Blue need?
What objects does Blue need?
What things do children need?
The children’s corner can be used as an interactive tool:
Dan’s Zoo
In the Zoo, there are different animals. Look for the ideal pet!
How to play the game:
When an animal appears, pass the computer mouse over the squares and match the one showing the correct colour and animal noise.
Tiny’s Kids
In the game Tiny’s Kids, there are pet and wild animals. Have a look …
In this game, Tiny’s kids are looking for their mum. All kids look different.
Match the right mum and kids.
See how happy the kids are when they find their mum. Listen to mum singing a lullaby.
Blue is thirsty
Blue lives in a nice comfortable home. Right now, Blue is thirsty and looking for a drink. Can you help Blue to find the right water to drink?
Click on the different places that contain water.
Many are not suitable for drinking. Can you help Blue find the one place where the water is for drinking.
Use this game to help talk about a dog’s needs.
Blue is hungry
Blue is hungry and he goes to the shop with his owner. There are many things for sale: some a good for Blue to eat but others are not. Can you help Blue find the food that is good for him?
Click on the different things on the shelves. The wrong things will give him a tummy ache, but the right food will make him happy.
Blue at the vet
Blue is feeling not very well and his owner has taken him to the vet. See Blue sitting on the vet’s table looking sick and a bit scared.
Ask the children to help the vet by clicking on the objects along the bottom.
Blue at the toy shop
Blue is in the toy shop and he is looking for new toys to put in his basket.
Can you help Blue to pick the toys that are best for him?
How does Blue feel when he gets a toy in his basket?
(If he pics a child’s toy, it jumps back on to the shelf)
Assessment
Do the children understand what a pet is?
Do children understand what a dog needs?
Circle time discussions
We have begun to learn from the Blue dog about the things Blue likes, dislikes and the things Blue needs.
- What made the Blue dog cross last week? Stroked when having food, try to take toy away.
- How did Blue react when he didn’t like the action?
- What are a dog’s warning signs that they are not happy? Showing teeth, growling etc?
- What can we do to stop Blue being cross? Have separate toys for dogs and children, never take something out of a dog’s mouth – ask a grown up, never pet a dog when they are eating.
Today we are going to learn more about how to behave safely around dogs. Choose the flea story from the parent guide and turn to page 10 or download from the materials. The scene is about Blue, Sarah and the sand castle. Usually Blue likes to be stroked by Sarah, but not today: Blue is feeling unwell.
- What make you feel like you don’t want to play? Ill, tired etc.
- Dogs feel like that sometimes too, but they can’t tell us if they are ill or tired. Instead they show us the warning signals so we must learn that sometimes dogs don’t want to play and we should leave them alone.
Plenary
Use pet dog/ dog costume to demonstrate how Blue might react when he is not feeling well. In this way you can reinforce lessons learnt so far.
Stress that dogs can growl or show their teeth when they are not feeling well or when they are unhappy.
Can they think of reasons why the dog is responding in that way? What message is he trying to give?
ICT (Extra materials)
In ‘Dazzle’ or other drawing package use the shapes to make animal pictures
In the downloads you will find
- Pictures for colouring
- Shapes to make animals
- Animal picture cards for games
Example 1: Understanding what a pet is.
Identifying the animal.
Which one is the ideal pet?
Match the animal with the right home.
Example 2:
Understanding the needs of a dog.
What kind of food does Blue need?
What objects does Blue need?
What things do children need?
The children’s corner can be used as an interactive tool:
Dan’s Zoo
In the Zoo, there are different animals. Look for the ideal pet!
How to play the game:
When an animal appears, pass the computer mouse over the squares and match the one showing the correct colour and animal noise.
Tiny’s Kids
In the game Tiny’s Kids, there are pet and wild animals. Have a look …
In this game, Tiny’s kids are looking for their mum. All kids look different.
Match the right mum and kids.
See how happy the kids are when they find their mum. Listen to mum singing a lullaby.
Blue is thirsty
Blue lives in a nice comfortable home. Right now, Blue is thirsty and looking for a drink. Can you help Blue to find the right water to drink?
Click on the different places that contain water.
Many are not suitable for drinking. Can you help Blue find the one place where the water is for drinking?
Use this game to help talk about a dog’s needs.
Blue is hungry
Blue is hungry and he goes to the shop with his owner. There are many things for sale: some a good for Blue to eat but others are not. Can you help Blue find the food that is good for him?
Click on the different things on the shelves. The wrong things will give him a tummy ache, but the right food will make him happy.
Blue at the vet
Blue is feeling not very well and his owner has taken him to the vet. See Blue sitting on the vet’s table looking sick and a bit scared.
Ask the children to help the vet by clicking on the objects along the bottom.
Blue at the toy shop
Blue is in the toy shop and he is looking for new toys to put in his basket.
Can you help Blue to pick the toys that are best for him?
How does Blue feel when he gets a toy in his basket?
(If he pics a child’s toy, it jumps back on to the shelf)
Assessment
Do the children understand what a pet is?
Do children understand what a dog needs?
Show photos of last weeks lesson – of children acting out the Blue dog.
Ask children to recap what was happening.
- How did the child react? Why?
- How did the dog react? Why?
- What have we learnt so far?
Dogs may protect food/toys
Dogs may react differently when they are ill
Telling a Blue Dog story
Use the parent guide and choose the fish story page 32 or download from the materials.
If available, watch the scene on the Blue Dog CD-rom.
Blue has a new present – a yellow toy fish that makes a squeaky noise. He drops the toy while eating his food. Simon approaches to stroke him, but Blue might think otherwise. What could happen next?
Group work – making a poster
Tell children that today we are going to make our own special book about Blue.
We are going to draw posters explaining what we’ve learned about Blue:
- The things Blue likes
- The things Blue dislikes
- How does Blue react when he doesn’t like it (e.g; he runs away and hides, he growls)
HA (Lower attainers) children to a draw poster and write a sentence explaining what their poster is about.
MA (Medium Attainers) children to draw poster and with support writing their message
LA (Higher attainers) children draw poster and adult to scribe their meaning.
Plenary
Show children each others posters. Tell children their posters will be made into a special book and shared around the school to help teach children how to behave safely around dogs. The pictures and posters can be scanned and shared online at the website “All you ever wanted to know about dogs” – teachers toolbox – blog.
ICT (Extra materials)
In ‘Dazzle’ or other drawing package use the shapes to make animal pictures
In the downloads you will find
- Pictures for colouring
- Shapes to make animals
- Animal picture cards for games
Example 1: Understanding what a pet is.
Identifying the animal.
Which one is the ideal pet?
Match the animal with the right home.
Example 2:
Understanding the needs of a dog.
What kind of food does Blue need?
What objects does Blue need?
What things do children need?
The children’s corner can be used as an interactive tool:
Dan’s Zoo
In the Zoo, there are different animals. Look for the ideal pet!
How to play the game:
When an animal appears, pass the computer mouse over the squares and match the one showing the correct colour and animal noise.
Tiny’s Kids
In the game Tiny’s Kids, there are pet and wild animals. Have a look …
In this game, Tiny’s kids are looking for their mum. All kids look different.
Match the right mum and kids.
See how happy the kids are when they find their mum. Listen to mum singing a lullaby.
Blue is thirsty
Blue lives in a nice comfortable home. Right now, Blue is thirsty and looking for a drink. Can you help Blue to find the right water to drink?
Click on the different places that contain water.
Many are not suitable for drinking. Can you help Blue find the one place where the water is for drinking?
Use this game to help talk about a dog’s needs.
Blue is hungry
Blue is hungry and he goes to the shop with his owner. There are many things for sale: some a good for Blue to eat but others are not. Can you help Blue find the food that is good for him?
Click on the different things on the shelves. The wrong things will give him a tummy ache, but the right food will make him happy.
Blue at the vet
Blue is feeling not very well and his owner has taken him to the vet. See Blue sitting on the vet’s table looking sick and a bit scared.
Ask the children to help the vet by clicking on the objects along the bottom.
Blue at the toy shop
Blue is in the toy shop and he is looking for new toys to put in his basket.
Can you help Blue to pick the toys that are best for him?
How does Blue feel when he gets a toy in his basket?
(If he pics a child’s toy, it jumps back on to the shelf)
Assessment
Do the children understand what a pet is?
Do children understand what a dog needs?
Share with the children the class book they made last lesson about the Blue dog.
Recap learning points from the class book.
Tell children that today we are going to play a matching game on the interactive whiteboard. If you do not have an interactive whiteboard, the appropriate cards are available on the download section.
Play game, sorting pictures of things that people need and things that dogs need into a Venn diagram. Is there anything they both need?
Examples of questions:
– What does Blue need to eat his food? ( food bowl)
– What type of food should Blue eat?
– Where does Blue sleep?
– What does Blue need to take a walk?
Group work
Children to draw what people and dogs need
HA Children to draw what people and dogs need to label picture independently.
MA Children to draw what people and dogs need and teacher to scribe their ideas
LA Children to sort real objects into sorting rings, then children to draw what people and dogs need as group.
Independent
Children to make a blue dog using plasticine (see ICT)
Plenary
Tell the children that Blue is going on holiday. Ask children to help pack his bag for him. What will he need?
Examples: food, objects, toys, food bowl, water bowl, bed, blanket, leash…
ICT (Extra materials)
In ‘Dazzle’ or other drawing package use the shapes to make animal pictures.
In the downloads you will find:
- Pictures for colouring
- Shapes to make animals
- The children can use these shapes to make animals. For more ideas, go to free online drawing package.
- Animal picture cards for games
Example 1: Understanding what a pet is.
Identifying the animal.
Which one is the ideal pet?
Match the animal with the right home.
Example 2:
Understanding the needs of a dog.
What kind of food does Blue need?
What objects does Blue need?
What things do children need?
Blue is going travelling – what objects would he take?
Think about what toys are suitable for Blue and for the children.
Which objects do children need?
Which are Blue’s favourite toys?
Which are children’s favourite toys?
Food that dogs and children like
Objects that dogs and children like
The children’s corner can be used as an interactive tool:
Dan’s Zoo
In the Zoo, there are different animals. Look for the ideal pet!
How to play the game:
When an animal appears, pass the computer mouse over the squares and match the one showing the correct colour and animal noise.
Tiny’s Kids
In the game Tiny’s Kids, there are pet and wild animals. Have a look …
In this game, Tiny’s kids are looking for their mum. All kids look different.
Match the right mum and kids.
See how happy the kids are when they find their mum. Listen to mum singing a lullaby.
Blue is thirsty
Blue lives in a nice comfortable home. Right now, Blue is thirsty and looking for a drink. Can you help Blue to find the right water to drink?
Click on the different places that contain water.
Many are not suitable for drinking. Can you help Blue find the one place where the water is for drinking?
Use this game to help talk about a dog’s needs.
Blue is hungry
Blue is hungry and he goes to the shop with his owner. There are many things for sale: some a good for Blue to eat but others are not. Can you help Blue find the food that is good for him?
Click on the different things on the shelves. The wrong things will give him a tummy ache, but the right food will make him happy.
Blue at the vet
Blue is feeling not very well and his owner has taken him to the vet. See Blue sitting on the vet’s table looking sick and a bit scared.
Ask the children to help the vet by clicking on the objects along the bottom.
Blue at the toy shop
Blue is in the toy shop and he is looking for new toys to put in his basket.
Can you help Blue to pick the toys that are best for him?
How does Blue feel when he gets a toy in his basket?
(If he pics a child’s toy, it jumps back on to the shelf)
Assessment
Do the children understand what a pet is?
Do children understand what a dog needs?
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Discussion ideas
We have begun to learn from the Blue dog about to behave safely around dogs.
- What made the Blue dog cross? Stroked when having food, try to take toy away – defensive.
- What are dogs warning signs that they are not happy? Show teeth, growling etc?
- What can we do to help Blue not be cross? E.g. Have dog toys and children toys, never take something out of dogs mouths – ask a grown up, never pet a dog when they are eating.
Today we are going to learn more about how to behave safely around dogs.
Choose option ‘fleas’. Turn to page 10. Read scenario in time with clip
Discussion: What make you feel like you don’t want to play? Ill, tired etc. Dogs feel like that sometimes too, but they can’t tell us if they are ill or tired. Instead they show us the warning signals so we must learn that sometimes dogs don’t want to play and we should leave them alone.
Plenary
Use pet dog/ dog costume to demonstrate positive and negative behaviour reinforcing points learnt so far – Demonstrate that when dogs aren’t happy they growl, show teeth. Go through similar scenarios taught so far, responding in positive/ negative ways, can they read the signs? Can they think of reasons why the dog is responding in that way?
Take photos to remind the children of the session – if time permits, add speech or think bubbles.
Communication, Language and Literacy
Creating a book
Show photos of children acting out the Blue dog. Ask children to recap what was happening, how did the child / dog react? Why? What have we learnt so far? Dogs protect food/toys, dogs may react differently when they are ill
Read the book about Blue written by a school. Tell children that today we are going to make our own special book about Blue. We are going to draw posters telling children how to behave safely around dogs. E.g. don’t stroke your dog when he is eating etc.
Group work
HA children to a draw poster and write a sentence explaining what their poster is about.
MA children to draw poster and with support writing their message
LA children draw poster and adult to scribe their meaning.
Plenary
Show children each other’s posters. Tell children their posters will be made into a special book and shared around the school to help teach children how to behave safely around dogs.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
ICT and Early Science concepts
Share with the children the class book they made about the Blue dog. Recap learning points from the class book.
Tell children that today we are going to play a matching game on the interactive whiteboard.
Play game, sorting pictures of things that people need and things that dogs need into a Venn diagram. Is there anything they both need? Talk partners discuss.
Group work
Children to draw what people and dogs need.
HA Children to draw what people and dogs need to label picture independently.
MA Children to draw what people and dogs need and teacher to scribe their ideas
LA Children to sort real objects into sorting rings, then children to draw what people and dogs need as group.
Independent activity: Children to make a blue dog using plasticine.
Plenary
Tell the children that Blue in going on holiday. Ask children to help pack his bag for him. What will he need?
Physical Development
Dance or PE themes around animals in general and dogs in particular
Use BBC Soundtracks or suitable themed music e.g. ‘Who let the dogs out’ as stimulus
Explore how animals move – on four legs, slithering, flying, swimming – Adult scribes list for children
Create a short sequence of three or four movements, use picture cards as the stimulus for the children to respond, or a musical sound to change from one move to another.
It is very important that the children should create their own moves and not be dictated by an adult, however, paired work may support children who find it challenging to think of their own moves
This could be extended by partner mirror work or freeze shape positions
Creative Development
Art and Design activities and Ideas
Children could:
- Design a dog collar or lead, using fabric or coloured paper and card
- Create a thumb pot out of plasticine or clay and create into a dog bowl with embellishments or inscribed details
- Create a dog head out of two thumb pots joined together. Try using a garlic press for a very hairy dog effect!
- Use found materials – cardboard boxes etc – to create dogs and / or their kennels
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
Mathematical ideas. Children could:
- Create or use simple counting games with animals and dogs
- Make a patterned blanket for a dog bed
- Create a symmetrical pattern for a collar
- Help an adult to create and then play a board game with dice, cards or spinners using dogs and their needs as a theme – see sample
