grant for teachers

Not sure what type of pet to obtain for your classroom?  Researching various types of classroom pets makes a great research project for your students.  You can divide your students into project groups and assign each group a potential classroom pet to research – small mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians.  Have each group research the various types of pets within their classification that might be appropriate pets, and allow them to either present the class with options, or choose one “finalist” that they recommend.

Each project should include general information on the pet (origins, size, habits, etc.), cost, habitat description, basic care for the animal, handling and training information, and how the group decided on the winner.  Projects could include an informative poster or an organized presentation to the class.  Each group could also submit a written summary, and all summaries could be incorporated into one information booklet.

A classroom pet research project incorporates several different valuable learning skills, such as working within a group, researching, analysis of data and coming to a conclusion, as well as writing and creative skills.  Your students will find out things they didn’t know about all of the animals researched, and the classroom will have enough shared information to make a group decision on which pet would be best for your classroom.

Once the presentations are completed, plan for a classroom vote to choose your new classroom pet!