Jungle Thematic Unit

Our thematic unit focuses on the jungle. Children will learn about safaris, the animals in the
jungle and the different sounds they make, different natural processes that happen in the jungle
such as rain, animal habitats, and other mini subjects related to the jungle. The jungle unit
includes lessons and ideas for Reading, Science, and Math/Cooking. We also included lesson
ideas for Music, Art, Dramatic Play, and Physical Education.

Jungle Thematic Focus

Students will read about, discuss, investigate, brainstorm, inquire, add, subtract, measure, count,
observe, describe, create art, enjoy snacks, sing songs and hone their fine and gross motor skills.
Students will be familiar with several characteristics of the jungle and be able to recognize many
different animals that live in it by the end of this unit.

Overall Suggested Questions:

What are some examples of animals that might live in the jungle?
What do all animals need in order to survive?
What might happen if it rained all day long?
Are there jungles in Wisconsin?
What colors might you see if you were on a jungle safari?
What are some differences between a crocodile and an elephant?

Music Lessons

Monday: “I Went to the Jungle One Day”

(Sung to the tune of London Bridge)
Today the children will be learning about the jungle through a safari ride. The children
will first learn the song and its lyrics, and then we will march around the room pretending to be
on a safari ride looking at the different animals.

I went to the jungle one day, jungle one day, jungle one day. 
I saw a lion on the way and this is what he said, "ROAR"!
Keep adding other jungle animals and their sounds!

Tuesday: “The Animals in the Jungle”

(Sung to: “The wheels on the bus)
Today we are learning the different sounds of the animals in the jungle. In this lesson,
we will create an action to accompany each of the animal sounds and sing “The Animals in the
Jungle” using the different animals and actions.

The animals in the jungle

The monkeys in the jungle say ooh, ooh, aah, ooh, ooh, aah, ooh, ooh, aah, 
The monkeys in the jungle say ooh, ooh, aah, all day long. continue with parrots say squawk
tigers say grrr …
 Wednesday: “Do You Know the Jungle Animals?”
(Sung to: "The Muffin Man")
This song reviews the different animals that the children have learned. We will assign
each of the students a different animal and have them stand up when we sing about their animal.

Do you know the slimy snake, the slimy snake, the slimy snake
Oh do you know the slimy snake that lives deep in the jungle?
Do you know the chimpanzee, the chimpanzee, the chimpanzee
Oh do you know the chimpanzee that lives deep in the jungle?
Do you know the wildebeest, the wildebeest, the wildebeest
Oh do you know the wildebeest that lives deep in the jungle?
Do you know the crocodile, the crocodile, the crocodile
Oh do you know the crocodile that lives deep in the jungle?
Do you know the mountain lion, the mountain lion, the mountain lion
Oh do you know the mountain lion that lives deep in the jungle?

Thursday: “Five Little Monkeys”

(Finger Play)
This song helps the children count and use their fine motor skills to act out the motions.
First teach the children the lyrics to the song, and then show them the actions.

5 little monkeys up in a tree (show 5 fingers on one hand) 

Teasing a big crocodile, "You can't catch me, you can't catch me". 
Along came the big crocodile as mean as he could be (use other hand to make a mouth opening
and shutting) And SNAP ("bite" off one of the fingers )
4 little monkeys up in a tree...etc

Friday: “Monkey See, Monkey Do”

This song helps the children follow directions and use their gross motor skills. First teach
the children the lyrics to the chant, and then show have the children come up with some of their
own actions.
Monkey Fingerplay
The monkey claps, claps, claps his hands (clap hands)
The monkey claps, claps, claps his hands (clap hands)
Monkey see, monkey do
The monkey does the same as you! (point to children) Repeat, changing motions (monkey
stomps his feet, covers his eyes, sits down, stands up, etc)
 Extensions

"Layers of the Rainforest"

Tune:  "If you're happy and you know it"
There are four layers in the rainforest.
4 LAYERS!
There are four layers in the rainforest.
4 LAYERS!
Forest floor, understory, canopy, emergent.
(as you sing the names of the layers first crouch down, then stand up and bend over a bit, then
stand and put your arms over your head like an umbrella, then stand on toes and reach up high)
There are four layers in the rainforest.
4 LAYERS!

There are 3 layers in the Jungle

Tune: If Your Happy and You Know It

There are 3 layers in the Jungle, Yes indeed. 

There are 3 layers in the Jungle, Yes indeed. 
The Emergents, Canopies, and the Understory. 
There are 3 layers in the Jungle, Yes indeed!

I'm a Little Zebra

(Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little zebra white and black 
With a bush mane running down my back 
I like to gallop and run and play 
Out on the African plains all day.

Down In The Jungle (chant)

Begin by having children slap their hands on their knees and then clap them together to set the
rhythm of the chant.
Down in the jungle With the beat in your feet, Think of an animal That you'd like to meet. That
you'd like to meet ________! (Call out a child's name and have them name a jungle animal)
A (Monkey), A (Monkey) She wants to see a (Monkey)!

Then have all of the children imitate a monkey. Keep repeating and naming different animals for
the children to imitate and don't forget the growls, screeches, and roars! This is also great for
large motor indoors on rainy days. You can change it to Down on the Farm if you have a Farm
theme.

Resources:
http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/jungle/jungle_songs.htm

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/jungle/songs.htm