Introduction

RESPONSIBILITY

Index

Selecting "Virtual" Classroom Pet (Part One) Rabbit, Our Classroom Pet (Part Two) Our Own Pet Choice (Part Three)

Resources/web sites

Fun Activity Involving Snakes

Rubrics 1 2 3

INTRODUCTION

Within the social studies curriculum young children begin to develop an understanding of themselves by studying different customs and traditions. They build an awareness of their role as citizens by learning about responsibilities and rules. They will have opportunities to compromise and will identify voting as a fair way to make decisions. This project allows the students to work collaboratively. They will understand that people in groups work together, listen to each other, and make plans together.

 

This project provides kindergarten and first grade students an understanding through experience of the commitment and responsibilities necessary for pet ownership. This is achieved by creating a "virtual" classroom pet. The initial part of the unit is a whole group experience. Students vote for the classroom "virtual" pet. They then listen to stories to gather interesting facts about the chosen "virtual" pet. With the teacher's assistance, the second part of the unit allows the students in pairs to research information on the Internet and answer their questions about an animal they have chosen as a pet. Although much of the information collected will be through stories, the Internet will be introduced as another way of retrieving information.

 

In the final aspect of the project the students either draw or color their selected pets, cut them out, and then make model pet homes. The project requires making a home for their pet that will reinforce the information they had learned about being a responsible pet owner. The information gathered from the Internet dictated how the home is made and items their pet will need or might enjoy. (For instance, a water bottle, toys to play with, an exercise wheel, container for food). A daily pet care chart will be developed based on the animals’ needs – were the pets cleaned, given water, fed, exercised, and played with. The students will be responsible for finding some free time each day to address these needs and they mark off on their charts for 3 weeks that indeed the tasks were completed. A written and oral presentation was given to the class by each group.