Every
teacher likes to make their classroom feel good. We
want our classrooms to be an extension of the home environment.
I find that a good way to do that is to have pets in
the classroom. Not only do they provide a source of
comfort for the students, they can be used to teach
responsibility, nurturing, and respect for all living
things. To support the upkeep of the pets, I usually
ask for a donation of about $2.00 at the beginning of
the year (okay this with your administration first).
Here is a list of the different kinds of pets that do
well in the classroom- animals that can be left alone
on the weekend without any problem of neglect.
The best animals I have had were guinea pigs. I have
had five of them in the last eleven years. They live
for about five years, and in a small area are quite
content. You need a guinea pig cage, which can be bought
at a pet store (Petland sells a nice start up kit).
The food and bedding will last for months. They eat
a diet of dried food and fresh vegetables (carrots are
their favorites).
What
I like about guinea pigs is that you can hold them-
they don’t bite. It’s a great way for the
students who are afraid of animals to get used to one.
They don’t need a large area to run around in.
The children will love to take them home on vacations.
Another good classroom pet is a hamster. They usually
come in pairs- they like company. Again, they require
minimum care and take up little space. Hamsters can
bite, especially the dwarf variety, so be cautious with
little ones who might want to poke their fingers in
the cage.
Goldfish make excellent pets. With a $10.00, ten gallon
start up kit, you can purchase about 5 good fish. They
don’t require a heater, and can live the whole
year. At the end of the year you can give them to the
child who has a fish tank at home.
Reptiles and amphibians like chameleons, anoles, newts,
turtles, and frogs, are wonderful. You can purchase
frogs as tadpoles and the children can see the amazing
process of metamorphosis right there in the classroom.
Frog kits can be purchased from school catalogues. (I
have listed the names and numbers of the various catalogues
at the end of the article.) Some of the reptiles require
live crickets a few times a week. Before you purchase
one, be sure of what it needs to eat and decide if the
commitment is one you are willing to make. Turtles are
also great pets. As long as you change their water daily,
there is no problem with odors.
I also suggest you purchase caterpillars and/or ladybugs
in the springtime. They arrive as tiny little creatures,
eat continually for two weeks, and then spin a beautiful
chrysalis. The children love to watch them grow. They
will see their skin split, and can predict what the
adult butterfly might look like. There is nothing more
exciting than watching the butterflies emerge from their
chrysalis. Then they can be let go, teaching the students
a valuable lesson about keeping wild animals in captivity.
This can be a great way to compare wild and domestic
animals.
Ant farms are wonderful as well. You can purchase an
ant farm and will be given a coupon to send away for
the ants. Ants are industrious creatures and the children
can see how an ant colony works together.
All of these pets can teach responsibility. Assign children
tasks each week to care for the pet, e.g., cleaning
the cages, feeding the animals. Let the animal become
a member of the classroom. The children will learn to
nurture and care for each of them!
Insect Lore- You can order online at http://www.insectlore.com,
or by phone at 800-LIVE BUG.You can purchase all the
equipment needed through this catalog.
As stated in the article Petland Discounts sells these
small animals and supplies. The pets come with a guarantee
for a limited amount of time. I have had great success
with this store and there is one conveniently located
almost everywhere!
