Animals

To consider the animals around us and why we should care for them.

by The Revd Sophie Jelley

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To consider the animals around us and why we should care for them.

Preparation and materials

• Prepare a selection of quiz questions about animals – see 2 below (be aware of local context and significance of certain animals in certain cultures).
• A copy of a large illustrated children’s Bible (My Very First Bible published by Lion is good).

Assembly

1. Ask the children whether they have any pets at home. Ask about them, e.g. how many – one, two, or more? Who has an unusual one? Who helps to feed them, clean them, etc.?

2. Say that you have prepared a special quiz about animals and are going to ask some questions to see how much they know. Some sample questions:
   
   I lay eggs every day – what am I?
   I like to eat rubbish that people leave around and I am often hidden – What am I?
   I have eight letters in my name and I come from Australia.
   I need to be taken for regular walks but you shouldn’t stroke a strange one.
   A baby swan is called a … (can anyone spell it? – if not ask a teacher!).
   I am a special kind of dog. I look after animals whose babies are called lambs.
   A tadpole turns into one of these.
   I have fur and whiskers and I like to sit on your lap.
   I live outside. I am quite smelly and some of us are called pot-bellied.
3. Ask: did you know that Christians, Jews and others who read the Old Testament of the Bible believe there is a reason why all animals are special to us? You’re going to read from the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, to see why. Read from your chosen version, showing the pictures about when God made the animals, and then he made people to look after the world he had made. Explain that Christians and others believe that God told people to take care of everything in the world, including all the world’s creatures.
4. That’s why we should look after our pets. And not only our pets, but also wild animals that perhaps live in our gardens, etc. If there’s time, ask questions about local wildlife – has anyone seen a fox, or a deer, etc. Explain that wildlife is different in other parts of the world – e.g. in Africa, instead of hedgehogs in the garden you might see monkeys.
   
   All animals are special and we should look after them in the best way we can.

Time for reflection

Reflection

Close your eyes and think for a moment about an animal(s) that is special to you. It might be a pet or it might be a wild animal. What makes it so special to you?

Prayer

Now silently say thank you to God for that animal.
Thank you, Lord, for all the animals in your world.
Help us to take care of them in the best way we can.
Amen.

Song/music

‘O praise him’ (Come and Praise, 13)