Exploring the World of Pets: A Fun Learning Journey for Kids

1. My Library is Going to the Dogs Patricia Burgstahler Kenmore - Tonawanda UFSD pburgstahler@kenton.k12.ny.us SLMS 2010

2. Meet Noah

3. KindergartenUnit – Choosing the Right PetDaddy, Could I Have an Elephant – J. WolfWhat Pet to Get – Emma DoddOh, the Pets You Can Get – Tish RabeEmma’s Strange Pet – Jean LittleFranklin Wants a Pet – P. BourgeoisHarry’s Dog – Barbara A. PorteThe Best Pet of All – D. LaRochellePick a Pet – Shelley RotnerPumpernickel Tickle and Mean Green CheeseMr. Green Peas – Judith Caseley

4. Kindergarten Activities/Skills: • T-chart of wanted and unwanted traits • Venn Diagram comparing two or three pets • Venn Diagram comparing pets/wild or zoo animals/farm animals • Nature’s Children – looking for attributes • Wordle book – listing attributes/publishing

5. First Grades Activity – Read to the Dog • Henry and Mudge series – Rylant • Slippers – Andrew Clements • Biscuit - Capucilli • Brenda and Edward – D. LaRochelle • Clifford - Bridwell • Carl (wordless) – A. Day • Jack and the Night Visitors (wordless) – P. Schories • Dog and Bear – L. Seeger • Three Stories You Can Read to Your Dog – S.S. Miller

6. Rationale – Read to the Dog • Significantly increases fluency/confidence • Little or no intimidation • Small group participation • Listener is non-judgmental • Sense of self-worth/special activity • Involves the community – therapy dogs etc. • Can be continued at home or with a friend • Stuffed animals can be substituted

7. Second Grades Communications Unit- There is more than just the written word. • Read The Kitten Who Couldn’t Purr • Discuss body language and sign language • Handmade Alphabet/Talking Hands Series – student sharing • American Sign Language web site/Deaf Ed. Teacher demo • Read about Louis Braille and show Braille cards • Make nameplates using split peas • Am. Foundation for the Blind – www.afb.org/braillebug • Visiting guide dog, watch Audrey to Merlin video • Learning etiquette - dealing with the disabled/blind • Disability History Museum presentation

8. Books about service dogs and Special Olympics • Dogs at Work – Capstone series • Working like a Dog • Animals with Jobs – Thomson/Gale series • Bravest Dog Ever – Standiford • Pets to the Rescue (series) – A. Clements • My Dog, My Hero – Byars • The Right Dog for the Job – Dorothy Patent • Do Dogs Make Dessert? – M.Dahl • Helping Paws – Jane Duden • Looking Out for Sarah – Lang • Private and Confidential: a story about Braille – Ripley • Way to Go Alex – Robin Pulver

9. Third Grades Dog Breed Research • Builds on what they have learned • Requires an essential question- Where would the ideal place be for this breed to live and why? • High interest • End of the year fun – outdoor dog show • Includes community participation

10. Third Grades Resources • Enchanted Learning.com • Various dog breed book series • Animal Planet – animal.discovery.com • Am. Kennel Club - www.akc.org • Integrates other subjects • Math • Science • Art

11. Fourth Grades Lewis and Clark Learning Centers • Explore the roles of each person and Seaman • Develop a sense of time and activity on the trail using Dog of Discovery – Laurence Pringle • Seaman’s Journey – Patricia Eubank • Visiting Newfoundland dog completes the experience since students have researched the journey from the dog’s perspective

12. Fifth Grades • Began as a way to study the states • Continued with National Park Research • Connects with science of animal adaptations • Allows for discussions of animal rights and cultural differences even within the US • Opens channels of communication with others about these topics

13. Resources • Balto, the Bravest Dog Ever and other versions • Gold Rush Dogs - Murphy • Gary Paulsen – Woodsong and Dogteam • Iditarod Trail Committee web site especially info for educators • Local sled dog clubs • Veterinarians and breeders

14. The end of a long day…