animal idioms

LESSON SUMMARY

Going on a wild goose chase? Letting the cat out of the bag? What about taking the bull by its horns? Explore how animal idioms and the language we use shape our relationships with others.

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Year Level: 5–7

Learning area: English

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking; literacy; personal and social capability

Lesson duration: 85 minutes (Part A–C); 40 minutes (Part D); 60 minutes (Extension Activity)

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • identify the meanings of common animal idioms and understand the context in which they are used
  • learn how idioms are used to express and create personal, social and cultural identities
  • understand the concept of speciesism and analyse arguments against using animal idioms, identifying the author’s point of view using language and vocabulary clues
  • devise their own alternatives to animal idioms and create a supporting illustration.
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five freedoms for animals poster

FIVE FREEDOMS FOR ANIMALS

The Five Freedoms for Animals, sometimes known as Brambell’s five freedoms, outline five essential aspects of animal welfare under human control.

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The Brambell Report stated “An animal should at least have sufficient freedom of movement to be able without difficulty, to turn round, groom Itself, get up, lie down and stretch its limbs”.

The Five Freedoms for Animals were originally developed from a UK Government report on livestock husbandry in 1965. The five freedoms are used as the basis for the actions of professional groups, including vets, and have been adopted by representative groups internationally including the World Organisation for Animal Health.

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