Classroom pets are an important way to forge healthy child-pet relationships, and it’s important for teachers to educate themselves on which type of pet is best for their classroom.  One popular choice of classroom pet is the domestic rabbit, which can make a wonderful pet, but also has some special requirements.

What many people don’t realize is that rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are primarily active during dawn and dusk hours.  This means that your classroom rabbit will probably be at its most active before and after school hours.  It’s important that students recognize the rabbit’s need for sleep during the day, and this should be taken into account when planning for a classroom rabbit’s weekend and vacation care as well.

Rabbits can be sensitive to diet changes, so it’s very important to keep your classroom rabbit on a consistent diet, and provide the proper food for out-of-classroom stays.  According to the House Rabbit Society (http://rabbit.org) the proper diet for a house rabbit is “good quality pellets, fresh hay (alfalfa, timothy or oat), water and fresh vegetables.”  They also point out that, “Anything beyond that is a ‘treat’ and should be given in limited quantities.”

Rabbits can also be litter-box trained.  This is more easily accomplished with older, spayed or neutered bunnies, and a variety of fillings can be used in the box.  Absorbent newspaper covered with hay can be used, or you can look for organic litters made from alfalfa, oat, citrus or paper.  Litter-box training your classroom rabbit can allow for more freedom and exercise for the pet.

You should also create a play area for the rabbit.  Rabbits need an exercise area – they need as much as 2-3 hours to stretch and play.  Building an exercise area makes for a great classroom project.  The area should be completely “rabbit-proofed” and contain the litter-box and a variety of bunny-safe toys.  Use positive reinforcement like small bits of healthy foods to train your rabbit to return to his or her cage after play time.

According to the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society (http://www.mn.companionrabbit.org) rabbits can be trained to walk on a leash with the proper harness.  The Society even offers classes on leash-training rabbits!  Look for an “H” shaped harness in the cat section of your pet supply store, or a comfort harness from the rabbit section.  This training will take time and patience, and of course, all student/rabbit interactions should be carefully supervised.  There may be some rabbits who decide that walking on a leash is not for them, but many enjoy the activity and interaction.

There are many rabbit education and rescue organizations throughout the U.S. that can provide teachers with valuable resources on this popular pet.  Educating the entire classroom on rabbits before making the decision on a classroom pet can be a great way for children to learn more about the responsibilities of proper animal care, and the potential rewards of interacting with pets through consistent care and training.

Pets in the Classroom allows children to benefit from the social support of pets and learn to bond with and care for pets responsibly.  The Pet Care Trust understands that many teachers have limited financial resources to include pet care as part of the classroom experience, so this program provides easy to apply for, direct grants that allow teachers to purchase new pets, pet environments or pet food and supplies for existing classroom pets. Visit www.petsintheclassroom.org to apply for your grant today!

What’s in a name? We all love choosing special names for our pets, and when a classroom pet is involved, everyone can participate in the process.  Naming your classroom pet can be a creative and fun classroom project.

Many people name pets “human” names that they have always liked, or sometimes certain physical attributes of the pet like color, shape, or feel of the fur (or skin) inspire people.  A black animal might be named Midnight or an iguana might end up being called Spike.  Taking some time before naming the pet can allow everyone in the classroom to observe the pet’s behavior – is it frisky, sleepy or happy?  The pet’s own personality can often inspire a great name choice.  Often people want to name pets after famous people or characters they admire.

Keeping a running list of name ideas on a whiteboard or poster board is a great way to keep students thinking creatively.  Names could also be submitted into a suggestion box and revealed during a specially designated time.  As a teacher, it is interesting to see the variety of names, and find out what each child’s thought process is as they develop their ideas.

Coming to a classroom consensus on a name will help develop social skills such as cooperation and respect for the ideas of others. Let children express their thoughts on why they chose their name.  Holding a classroom vote could be incorporated into the curriculum as an example of the democratic process.

Pets in the Classroom offers grants to teachers to have or to maintain pets in the classroom. For more information on Pets in the Classroom or to apply for a grant, please visit www.petsintheclassroom.org.

At Pets in the Classroom, we don’t just love animals.  We also look forward, every day, to giving teachers the unique opportunity to educate their students in a fun and interactive way.  We believe that by incorporating your class pet into your curriculum, your students will easily develop a genuine interest to learn.  Try bringing pets into your English or Art lessons for a unique experience, and don’t be afraid to get creative.

Taking your kids on a trip to the library is a great way to spark an interest in reading.  You’ll find a wide variety of books – fiction and non-fiction, based on your classroom pet for students to share with their peers.  They’ll get an early start on doing research and have fun finding new stories of animals just like theirs.

You can also have your students write their own stories about their pet.  Have them tell how they’d spend a day out with their new friend, or write daily journal entry’s about its life in the classroom.  Help them find different ways of describing their pet to make each assignment even more interesting.   By doing this, your students will be able to use their imagination while working on critical English skills.

Want to get even more creative?  Have your class illustrate pictures of their pet on a regular basis as a way to record its growth and change over time.  Try having them create an image with markers or crayons and another with paint.  Experimenting with different materials is a great way to get your students familiar with art.  Encourage them to use lots of different colors and details to make their images stand out.

Another great creative project is to have your students create collages of pictures and facts about their animal.  This is a great way for them to express themselves while having fun incorporating their new friend.  Have each child present their collage to the rest of the class, and you’ll be subtly building an early foundation for public speaking.

Pets in the Classroom is dedicated to providing teachers with new fun and interactive learning opportunities.  Whether you decide on adopting a goldfish or a guinea pig, your class pet will help inspire creativity and learning in students of all ages.  Fill out an application online, and let us help you take the first step.

One of the most satisfying aspects of the Pets in the Classroom program is the feedback we get from teachers and students who have purchased pets through the program. Here is a sampling of recent correspondence.

“I was a recent recipient of a grant through Pets in the Classroom. I currently teach special education K-5 in  an elementary school. Although my first idea was to have an aquarium with fish in the classroom, my students would not hear of it. They wanted a pet they could hold. So, with my own children in tow, we examined every pet at Petco, spoke with the specialist in each area, and held every pet that was a possibility. The result was “Moose” a 2-month old brown and white Guinea pig who was warmly welcomed into our classroom.

I serve many students throughout the school day, some of whom are labeled as having severe emotional and behavioral disturbances. It has amazed me to see the change of expression and demeanor in these students since the arrival of Moose. I also serve students who are learning disabled, developmentally delayed, Autistic, and physically impaired to name a few. These students consider it a privilege to read and write to Moose. I have seen a new entusiasm for learning and I have seen better communication in a kindergarten student who came to us with no speech.

Moose is not only considered a part of our classroom family, my little girls consider her a part of our family and the school considers Moose part of the school family. We have shared our pet with other classrooms and have hopefully encouraged others to consider a classroom pet as well. I thank you repeatedly for this unique opportunity to offer a special campanion for a unique group of students who may not have this opportunity otherwise. We are learning together about being reponsible for our classroom pet and her likes and dislikes. The students like to share the information we are learning with their classroom teachers, peers and their families.  I have been stopped in the hallway many times this week with people telling me they have heard about Moose. My hope is that we continue to grow as a classroom through our pet as we have done in this first week of her being with us.”  Ashley D.

And more…

“The kids get a kick out of Sgt. Wiggles and they were all able to pet and hold him when we did our animals unit. We were studying reptiles and some of their specific characteristics. Some were hesitant, but eventually they were awed but how the snake really felt, and how strong it was, especially when it curled around their fingers. He is a little shy still and tends to hide during the day. But I think once he gets a little bigger he will become bolder.”  Lauren A.

“Thank you so very much for these wonderful materials that will enable me to add a very rich, new element to my classroom.  My students live very urban lives and do not have many opportunities to interact with nature in a positive way.  The aquarium will allow them to experience the rewards of taking care of living things.”  Jo C.

We would love to hear your Pets in the Classroom story too!

Bringing a pet into your classroom is a great way to inspire learning and teach responsibility.  There are many options when it comes to choosing a pet, and having information on each of them can make your decision easier.  You may consider fish, for example.  Adding an aquarium to your classroom is a fun and easy way to introduce your students to pet care and other important  lifelessons.

There are several educational opportunities that present themselves with an aquarium in the classroom.  It’s a great jump start to teaching your kids about the food chain or the water and nitrogen cycles.  And classes can discuss what constitutes a healthy marine environment while having students record water temperature and PH levels.  Teachers can even introduce fish anatomy and biology using their pet as a model – Explain how fish are able to swim so well and breathe underwater.

Before you get your fish, make sure you’ve got an appropriate aquarium picked out.  It’s up to you to decide on the size, shape, and even material of your aquarium, but having one with a filtration and ventilation system can make maintenance a little easier.  Placing gravel at the base of your aquarium will also help with the water filtration process.

There are plenty of accessories including plants and decorative models that can be placed in the aquarium to make it a fun and spirited space.  You can let your students help you pick out some of these objects to make the aquarium their own. However, depending on the type of fish you decide on, you may need to make room for added items like a water heater or a gravel vacuum.

When you finally get your habitat set up and your fish picked out, you’ll have daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance to adhere to.  Your kids will be able to do things like feed the fish and check the water temperature daily, while they may need assistance once a week changing 10% of the water and checking PH and ammonia levels.  Once a month, they’ll be able to assist you in a 25% water change, scrubbing the tank, and cleaning any plastic decorations.

By taking part in the necessary upkeep of their aquarium, kids will learn the importance of responsibility and that their fish depend on them to stay healthy and happy.  They’ll have fun working as a team and watching their fish grow.  Pets in the Classroom will help you get started with all the funds and information you need, just fill out one of our applications and tell us a little about yourself, your students, and your classroom.

The Pet Care Trust has started a new program to fund classroom pets, following the successful implementation of their Fish in the Classroom program.  In July 2007, the Trust announced the creation of the Fish in the Classroom program, which was designed to educate and to enhance the experiences of grade school students who learned about the fish and how to care for them.  Through a partnership with the Florida Aquarium, the program initially educated and trained 100 teachers in Tampa, while providing vouchers for aquarium equipment and fish to the teachers.

Participating teachers surveyed had extremely positive responses to the program.  “I am so excited to get the fish.  My students will enjoy this program, especially those who do not have the opportunity to do this at home,” confirmed one 4^th grade teacher.  Another elementary teacher shared, “I really enjoyed the workshop and I am so excited about setting up a new aquarium in my class…I am planning on starting the first lesson tomorrow. Thanks again for this great opportunity – the kids are going to love it!”

After the initial success of the Tampa Fish in the Classroom program, the Pet Care Trust was able to expand their efforts and aquarium partnership to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL.  In July 2009, Fish in the Classroom hosted a training session for 52 elementary school teachers. An additional component of the program was donating to the Big Shoulders Fund to provide classroom aquariums. Thomas Zbierski, Director, School Relations for the Big Shoulders Fund wrote, “I just wanted to follow up on the generous donation you made to the Big Shoulders Fund schools to provide classroom aquariums. The summer science program just ended and the attendees could not have been happier.”

The response from teachers and students involved with Fish in the Classroom was so positive the Pet Care Trust was inspired to create the more diverse Pets in the Classroom program. This unique program offers elementary school teachers an opportunity to receive free supplies to house and care for pets in their classrooms.  Kindergarten through sixth grade teachers can choose from small animals, reptiles, small birds or fish to keep in their classroom and integrate into their curriculum. “We want to provide an easy way of supporting more diversified pets in the classroom,” noted Steve Segner, chairman of the PIC committee. “Through this program we hope to influence the students by instilling compassion and empathy for animals and developing responsible pet care.”

Having a pet in the classroom allows teachers to expand their curriculum in creative ways, while providing a positive experience for students.  Caring for and interacting with a classroom pet can help children build self-esteem, while developing a sense of responsibility and valuable social skills.

The Pet Care Trust recognizes that teachers often have limited resources to enhance their classrooms and curriculum.  Through a simple, online application process at www.petsintheclassroom.org teachers can become eligible to receive grants of $50 to $150 to support existing classroom pets or purchase new pets and equipment.  The program hopes to fund 700 classrooms this year.

When bringing a pet into your classroom, it’s important to consider your options.  Having information on the different animals available can help make your decision and the transition from pet store to classroom a lot easier.  Perhaps you want to find out more about reptiles, for example.  If you’re a first time owner, Bearded Dragons are great beginner pets.

While their name might seem ferocious, these creatures are extremely gentle by nature.  They do need a few days to adjust to their new environment, but they’ll quickly warm up to their new class.  When you first bring your dragon to the classroom, have your students wait a few days and then take it out for occasional handling sessions.  These animals can be fragile in places, so you should supervise to make sure  students don’t hold it by the tail, since it could break off.

Bearded dragons are originally desert dwellers, so they require a warm and dry habitat.   A glass terrarium with a heating element and screen top for ventilation is a great basic environment.  Your bearded dragon will be even happier if you add a basking spot like a flat rock near the heat source and a hiding spot like a hollow log where it’s a bit cooler.  These animals like to have variety.  Have your students help pick out some of the additions to their pet’s home.

Students can also help out by feeding their new pet once a day.  Bearded dragons have a diet that’s made up of live insects and vegetables, and a shallow dish of water works perfectly for keeping your pet hydrated.

The learning opportunities are endless with a pet as  unique as a bearded dragon.  You can use your pet as a model to help captivate your student’s interest in subjects like geography, biology or herpetology.  Explain what’s so unique about the desert habitat, and discuss other animals that live in such an environment.   In addition, your students will have fun taking an active role in the pet’s daily care and in doing so will learn responsibility and compassion for other living things.

Dare to be different and bring a reptile like the bearded dragon to your classroom.  Pets in the Classroom can help.  Just fill out an application and tell us about yourself and your class.  We look forward to hearing from you.

(All pictures by Robert Dachiu Jr.)

The American Pet Products Association announced the winners for it’s second annual APPA National Children’s Poetry Contest. Through the APPA’s Pets Add Life campaign students in grades 3-5 are invited to write a poem about their pet -what they love about them, how the pets make them happy and then submit it to the APPA. Two students from each grade level were selected to win a $250 certificate to spend on pet products. In addition, the six winning students’ classrooms each will receive a $1000 scholarship to spend on pet related education! Please visit “Pets Add Life” to read the messages of the joys and benefits of responsible pet ownership.

At Pets in the Classroom, we don’t just love animals.  We also look forward, every day, to giving teachers the unique opportunity to educate their students in a fun and interactive way.  We believe that by incorporating your class pet into your curriculum, your students will easily develop a genuine interest to learn. Pets in the Classroom has funds available for 700 classrooms this year and is encouraging teachers to visit the website for information on the benefits of classroom pets and for access to the easy online application process.

Thank you to all the teachers who have found our program and are applying for grants!  Please let your colleques know about us too. We want to support our teachers and schools. We want to help students have an opportunity to be involved with something that needs care and attention – from them!

Pets bring so many new ways to learn.  Whether it’s Math, “how much does a hamster weigh?”  or Science, “what does a snake eat?” Geography, “what part of the world do ferrets come from?” or Grammar, “what words would we use to describe a goldfish?” –  students will approach learning all these subjects with a new enthusiasm and interest. Other classes can even come visit your classroom pets and your students can create special presentations about the animals.

To apply for a grant is simple, no hassles, fill in the online form, send it in and we will get back to you within 7 days! Why wait – apply today!