http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/grant-app/
I found out about this Grant that teachers can apply for today from my Kindergarten practicum teacher. Since I was really excited about this resource, I wanted to share it with the rest of you. Pets in general are wonderful to have around, they can change the atmosphere of a room and serve therapeutic purposes in some cases.
Pets Enrich the Classroom Experience
• Even kids with no exposure to animals or nature in their home environment can see, feel, touch and make connections to the wide world of animals.
• Observing and caring for an animal instills a sense of responsibility and respect for life.
• A pet brings increased sensitivity and awareness of the feelings and needs of others—both animals and humans.
• Kids learn that all living things need more than just food and water for survival.
• Students will see directly how their behavior and actions affect others.
• Studies show that the presence of animals tends to lessen tension in the classroom.
Sasha,
Thanks for all the benefits of having pets in the classroom. I really like that this could be used to show kids what mammals need to survive beyond water and food. That is definitely an important aspect to science discovery. What does everyone think of plants within the classroom? I remember having plants for science and keeping them in our elementary classroom which added nice color and life – especially during the winter months!