Have you considered adding a pet to your classroom?
Fish, frogs, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and small mammals are common classroom pets. Also consider ant farms, worm farms, and insects. Consider having an “observation” tank or aquarium that can house various animals through the year on a revolving basis. For example, use it to observe grasshoppers for a week in the fall, spiders during the winter, and tadpoles in the spring.
Think about how you could integrate a classroom pet into your curriculum. Classroom pets can promote scientific learning, STEAM learning, teamwork, motivation, and provide a supportive learning environment. Be sure to check with your school or work site policies and then consider any allergy risks, maintenance requirements, space and housing, lifespan and growth, budget, educational value, safety, student engagement, is the animal nocturnal or diurnal, ethical considerations like where the animal is sourced from, long-term commitment, state and local regulations for keeping a classroom pet, and noise level.
Helpful Links:
- Pets in the Classroom (resources and grants to help pay for supplies for classroom pets)
- Benefits of Classroom Animals
- Animals in the Classroom: Is It for You?
- 5 Reasons Why Your High School Classroom Needs a Pet
- 16 Best Classroom Pets, According to Teachers
- 30 Best Classroom Pet Ideas for Middle School
- How Classroom Pets Foster Social and Emotional Learning
Check out these WILD Activities:
- First Impressions (K-4)
- Designing a Habitat (3-5, 6-8)