At The Zoo ESL lesson thumbnail
Book 0B · Unit 14Starter · Ages 4–6

At The Zoo

This zoo animals ESL lesson teaches animal names, movements and body parts such as tails and trunks. Children sing Let's Go to the Zoo, stomp and swing like animals, then complete counting and matching tasks. They draw a crazy zoo, guess animals from mime and present their favourite creatures.

7-day trial · Card required · €0 today · Cancel before renewal

Lesson format

2 × 45 minutes

Level

Starter

Age group

Ages 4–6

Main focus

Speaking first

What students will learn

• Identify and name common zoo animals
• Recognise animal body parts
• Learn through song and movement
• Review animal vocabulary through drawing
• Use creative thinking in an art activity
• Talk about animals and their movements

Lesson flow

Children discuss zoo visits and sing along to Let's Go to the Zoo, moving like each animal (stomping, swinging), then number animals on a worksheet and match body parts like tails and trunks. The second lesson has children draw their own crazy zoo with favourite or invented animals, play a guessing game where the teacher acts out an animal, and take an imaginary zoo walk, finishing with a show-and-tell of their zoo drawing.

Target language

  • • Zoo animal vocabulary
  • • Which animal do you like best?
  • • I swing and eat bananas!
  • • Simple descriptions

Key vocabulary

  • lion
  • elephant
  • giraffe
  • monkey
  • zebra
  • tiger
  • penguin
  • zoo
  • hippo
  • bear

Speaking questions students answer

  • • Have you ever been to the zoo?
  • • Which animal do you like best?
  • • What animal is this?
  • • What does it eat?
  • • Can you move like an elephant?

Recommended teaching contexts

• Starter ESL and EFL classes• Ages 4–6• Primary school classrooms• Language schools• Private and small-group lessons• Teaching animals vocabulary• Pair and whole-class speaking• Interactive whiteboards and online teaching

Why this lesson works

The lesson follows a clear progression: Sing and move like zoo animals, match animals to their body parts, draw a crazy zoo and guess animals from clues. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.

This lesson includes

• Interactive lesson slides
• Teacher guide
• Printable worksheets
• Speaking practice: "Have you ever been to the zoo?"
• Classroom games
• Videos
• Vocabulary practice
• Pair work
• Extension activities

More Animals lessons