14 CHAPTER 1 Holes, Caves, and Nests Show children a toy pig, and explain that he needs a house but is not sure what kind yet. Provide children with straw, sticks, and miniature dollhouse bricks or unit blocks, and ask them to build three houses, one of straw, one of sticks, and one of bricks. When children are finished building, discuss with them the merits of each type of house. Introduce and read or tell the story of The Three Little Pigs to the children, and engage them in huffing and puffing and in re- citing familiar lines from the story. After reading the story, ask the children if they believe pigs really live in houses made of straw, sticks, and miniature doll- house bricks. Ask where they think other animals live. Let the children know that animals live in a wide variety of homes, including in holes underground and in trees, in caves, in nests, and in other places too. ALPS MATERIALS a toy pig, straw, sticks, miniature dollhouse bricks or unit blocks, and a Three Little Pigs storybook OTHER IDEAS Read and discuss books about where animals live, such as Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown and A House Is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman. LS Take children on a playground or neighborhood walk to look for places where animals live. Look for dogs, cats, birds, worms, ants, and so on. Talk about and take pictures of any housing you identify. LPST Take a field trip to visit a store that sells birdhouses, doghouses, hamster cages, and other pet homes. Measure the door dimensions for each home, and discuss the size of animal that could live there. Take a look at any bedding accessories that would go with the homes. LMS Involve children in building and decorating a birdhouse for hanging at school or to take to their home. AMP