It’s time to announce the winners of the Pets in the Classroom 7th annual Lesson Plan Contest! The Contest invited pre-kindergarten through 9th grade teachers to submit lesson plans that centered on the use of fish, reptiles, small animals and dogs in the classroom. Thank you to all of the teachers who submitted entries!

Here are the winners:

Small Animal

Prek-2:

Jenna Spain, Cardinal Elementary School

Lesson Description: Hermit Crab STEM – Creating a shell out of materials by meeting the stated expectations.

3^rd-5^th:

Erin Russell, Holly Grove Elementary

Lesson Description: Respecting Personal Space – The Hamster Ball Analogy

In this interactive and engaging lesson plan designed for 3rd to 5th grade students, the concept of personal space and its significance in respecting others’ boundaries will be explored through the hamster ball analogy.

6^th-9^th:

Ross Ruschman, Monroe Career Technical Institute

Lesson Description:  In this lesson, students attach a bicycle odometer to Ham’s wheel. They measure how far she runs at night and compare that to their own steps walked each day while learning about the role exercise plays in health and homeostasis.

Reptile/Amphibian

Pre-2^nd:

Sarah Willis, Citizens of the World Charter School – East Valley

Lesson Description: the care, habitat and role in the ecosystem of leopard geckos.

3^rd – 5^th:

Heather Reilly, Whitbourne Elementary

Lesson Description: Measuring, weighing, charting and graphing the growth of a bearded dragon (or other pet in the classroom).

6^th-9^th:

Heather McCarthy, Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School

Lesson Description: Our library was granted a bearded dragon through the Pets in the Classroom Grant. The students voted to name him BEANS.  In this lesson plan, students create a “To Be Read” pile of books for BEANS. They research various books and justify why they think BEANS would enjoy them. Books of all genres are chosen. Students are engaged in this lesson because they love the opportunity to sit and read with the bearded dragon. This lesson is suitable for and can be adapted for any classroom pet.

Aquarium

Pre-2^nd:

Hope King, Rivercrest Elementary

Lesson Description:  Students will develop a deeper understanding of various topics including animal care, habitats, colors, and numbers, by actively engaging with our classroom pet fish. This interactive and progressive lesson aims to challenge students to expand their knowledge while incorporating the pet fish as an integral part of the science, language arts and math curriculum.

3^rd – 5^th:

Elonzo Imes, Hunter Elementary

Lesson Description:  Students will explore the community that our class pet (snail/fish) may live in if they were not living in our classroom. Through exploring ecosystems, we will discuss what part our pet plays in the community we create.

6^th-9^th:

Germaine Hennessy, Most Blessed Sacrament

Lesson Description:  Students learn to delight in the diversity of others by learning about the beta fish.

Dogs:

Prek-2^nd:

Naomi Janssen, Smythe Elementary

Lesson Description: lessons about caring for and information about dogs

Congratulations to all the winners!  To view more lesson plans for teachers that incorporate a classroom pet, visit our library of lesson plans under the “Resource Center” tab on our website.