#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Tonight on #kinderchat we talk about Pets in the Classroom, and have a little celebration of all we've done in the great world of experiential learning!
We are talking about Pets in the Classroom tonight! Wondering where people are from this fine evening, and if you have a pet? (Pictures are always accepted!) #kinderchat
No pets when in kinder but had a box turtle in ECs Also when I sub in 2nd they have 2turles. And a four year old class had fish. The fish do have names! Faige in Los Angeles
#kinderchat
Hello! 😀 Meagan from Thunder Bay! I do not have a pet due to siblings' having allergies but I do want a huskador (mix between a husky and a lab) 🐶 #dreams#kinderchat
The only classroom "pets" i have had as a teacher is the yearly caterpillars to butterfly experience. Caterpillars and the INSANE AMOUNT OF FLIES in my classroom. #kinderchat
A1: My K classes have had fish, caterpillars/butterflies, ants, those teeny frogs. We stopped doing ducklings many yrs ago bc rsrch showed it was not humane. #Kinderchat
I have not had my own classroom yet, but there was a fish tank in my grade 7 class that allowed for us to "escape" and then return. An important mental break. #kinderchat
The biggest thing for me was: what happens to the animals after they leave the classroom? Unless you are 100% confident that they go on to healthy happy lives, then hatching them in class is not humane, to me. #kinderchat
A2: I am not 100% on this, #kinderchat, but I believe my district has a no pet policy. Not sure though. I'd like to have a beta. I have crazy allergies, so I have avoided pets. Animal hair, cedar shavings, dander get me stuffed up and gross. #kinderchat
Seeing as during my entire education I only had one "pet" in my classroom, I think it is the teacher's willingness to care for them. Having a pet is a lot of work. Weekends/holidays are also a factor. #kinderchat
A2: Well... my partner and I a couple months ago spent all our time cultivating ideas for inquiry activities and a story board to lead up to getting a fish. We finally had enough documentation to prove that they wanted one...see next post... #kinderchat
Alas the young well-fed goldfish have departed to a better home. You really need an out when having classroom pets, esp for holidays and long weekends.
I know we have an agriculture in the classroom program in BC where they will bring eggs in, and come take the chicks to a farm after. I never knew what farm though. I don't like the idea of them going to a cage. Our farm was free range in the barns, and prefer that. #kinderchat
A2: Part two...the health and safety lady came in and said we were not allowed any pets or animals, made a 10 page policy, and pretty much made it impossible for us to have a fish. Therefore we now have a story board and a class of children asking but no fish. #kinderchat
That is definitely a big factor! 🧐 When I was little, I was upset I didn't have a pet. But it was either that or my brother.... so I'm happy I have my brother. 😀 #kinderchat
We have kept ours for a couple of days. Not for long though as I do not want more caterpillars! I appreciate the big home we have for them, but feel bad for them in there. #kinderchat
Oh man... if you only knew, apparently 'they jump out and bite children! and carry dangerous diseases'...and a number of other crazy ideas! Yes it is very unfortunate. #kinderchat
A3: I am a masters students and last semester I took an Animals in Education class, oh the wonders that animals can teach children. Responsibility, caring, loving, compassion....the possibilities are endless. #kinderchat
Haha I mistakenly took a drink before reading your reply...😀 Yes I know...you would think we were raising sharks not goldfish or beta fish! It is a shame, list of animals we can't have is long...it even includes bears and poisonous snakes...isn't it obvious...why?! #kinderchat
Yes. Also I wonder if certain pets can help kids self regulate, ease them when upset or frustrated. Brings out the gentleness in some when out of control #kinderchat
A4 Listen to what the kids need from you when a pet dies. Listen to their conversationwith each other and help them understand as best you can. Each situation is different. #kinderchat
In a Holistic Education course I took, we discussed the importance of introducing death when one talks about life. However, always done with respect, understanding and creating a calm environment. #kinderchat
One year, ALL the caterpillars died of a terrible Ebola-type virus. It was terribly disappointing, but, it led to lots of great questions and convo! #kinderchat
Oh that is tragic. I am heartbroken for you. I have concerns about my bunch this year. They have not looked the same as in the past. Love that you had great conversations about it. #kinderchat
The one year that SEVERAL of our caterpillars spontaneously... expired... my kids were more interested in the math than in the death: We had 10 caterpillars. 7 died. How many butterflies can we still have? #Kinderchat
A5: All my jokes aside, choose a pet that you are prepared to take care of yourself over the summer & holidays. It will actually be YOUR pet, that you share with the class. That animal's wellbeing is YOUR responsibility. #Kinderchat
With butterflies we often talked about they don’t all make it through the life cycle. They accepted that but were sad when caterpillars became butterflies and volunteered quite fly. But they were always happy and excited for those that did. #kinderchat
That's been a hard lesson for some this year. The ones that don't get their wings, we gently put out with the flowers and talk about how they won't make it, but how they will still help nature. #kinderchat
If, for any reason, YOU are not up for being a pet guardian, there are lots of programs that will bring animals into your classroom for a visit - look into those! #Kinderchat
Some kids get way more into taking care of seeds than they do pets. I think the results are so much more obvious - from pot of dirt to LEAVES! #Kinderchat
A6: Since we cannot have pets, we have had "zoo to you" which is where the zoo comes into the building. Now I am not sure with the new health and safety if we will be able to do this or not. We also go to the zoo. We have plants, and garden outside. #kinderchat
Have a great week #kinderchat Thanks @tiegradloeppky I’m subbing Tuesday through Thursday in 2nd grade. Very excited! Then off to busy grandkids. Oldest graduated elementary school. More than then thrilled
Have a great week #kinderchat Thanks @tiegradloeppky I’m subbing Tuesday through Thursday in 2nd grade. Very excited! Then off to busy grandkids. Oldest graduated elementary school. More than then thrilled
I think that wraps up the chat, everyone! Thanks for coming to talk about pets in the classroom! I am definitely researching a Beta this summer! If you are soon off for summer holidays, ENJOY!! If you are like me and have a month left, get some sleep :) #kinderchat
I think that wraps up the chat, everyone! Thanks for coming to talk about pets in the classroom! I am definitely researching a Beta this summer! If you are soon off for summer holidays, ENJOY!! If you are like me and have a month left, get some sleep :) #kinderchat
