The Animals Around Us. Language Arts Theme Units: Cross-Curricular Activities for Primary Grades.

This book is part of a series of books presenting ready-to-use instructional units on themes typically taught in the primary grades. The topics focus on science, math, social studies or literature, but use language arts skills consistently in each unit. Each book in the series also uses as many frames of mind or intelligences as possible. Within a book, each unit contains: (1) an introduction on how the theme can interest students; (2) a brief list of targeted ideas; (3) suggested ways to connect units; (4) an introductory narrative on the unit theme; (5) suggested procedures for using the theme and involving children; (6) related language arts activities; (7) related extension activities; and (8) lists of trade books related to the unit theme. This book, "Animals Around Us," offers three units: "So Much Like Us," dealing with different animals and their different habitats, shared features of animals and humans, and animal classifications; "The Gentle Pig That Is Not a Pig," dealing with the guinea pig, other rodents, care of pets, and herbivores; and "More Than a Fish," dealing with whales, and the characteristics of mammals. Appendixes offer: ideas on making and using learning centers; ideas on making and using bulletin boards and file folders; a glossary; directions on how to make a book; and a short list of teacher resources. (SR)