Introduction
For this assignment, you are going to pretend you are the teacher in search of the perfect classroom pet.
Task
Your principal has approved only the following pets: hamster, fish, guinea pig, bearded dragon, hermit crab, or frog. Before you can purchase the animal, you must provide the principal with all of the details about your animal and why you chose it for you classroom pet.
There are many factors you will have to consider. How much will it cost? What will it need to survive in the classroom? How easy or difficult will it be to care for the animal? How much will it cost to set up its habitat? How clean is the animal? Who will care for the animal? Will it affect student health?
Process
STEP 1
Open the file "Classroom Pet WebQuest." Copy and paste the information on a new Google Doc. After your research is complete, share your file with everyone in your group. This file is meant as a starting point for your research and should be customized. Depending on your animal, you may have different needs to address. The questions in the steps below will also help you research your animal.
STEP 2
Pick only one of the following animals that you would like to have as a classroom pet. You may choose ONLY ONE ANIMAL to research as a classroom pet: hamster, fish, guinea pig, bearded dragon, hermit crab, or frog. Divide the topics to be researched among your group members.
- What does your animal look like?
- How large will your animal grow?
- What does your animal eat?
- Where will your animal live?
- What are some interesting facts about your animal?
STEP 3
Go shopping online. Shop online for all the toys, food, equipment that your animal will need to stay healthy and happy. Create a chart of all the supplies that your animal will need. Remember to include how much each item costs.
- How much does your animal cost?
- What type of home does this animal need?(cage, aquarium, feeder)
- How big or small should its home be?
- What things should go inside the animals home and why?
STEP 4
Research what care your animal will need on a daily and/or weekly basis.
- How often does this animal need to be fed?
- How often does your animal need to have its home cleaned?
- Who will care for it on weekends and during breaks?
- What are some other needs this animal have?
- Why should this animal be our classroom pet?
STEP 5
Create a proposal for your principal of your animal. You should have a picture of the animal, all the unique information about your animal, costs involved, and why this animal should be our classroom pet. Some ideas include using Google Slides, Prezi, Popplet, PowToon, Glogster, and ThingLink.
Suggested links to start your research can be found on the "Credits" page.
Evaluation
Your project will be evaluated on the quality of your presentation.
- Is it neat and visually appealing?
- Does it include all of the information required?
- Did you make a clear and good argument for why the animal should be a classroom pet?
Conclusion
Having a pet is a big responsibility. Animals must be treated humanely and cared for properly. Now that you have learned about the costs and care involved in having a pet, you can make an informed decision in the future if you choose to purchase one for yourself.
Credits
http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/pet-care-sheets/
http://www.petmd.com/exotic/slideshows/care/best-classroom-pets
http://www.teachhub.com/teacher%E2%80%99s-guide-classroom-pets
https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2411
http://mixminder.com/pros-and-cons-of-having-a-class-pet/
http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/animals-make-good-teachers/