The Problem
PAWS 4 KIDS. Our school's mission this year is the 3 B's--be kind, respectful and responsible. They will take this mission and apply it to domestic animals in our local community. Students are working in teams to investigate animals in the neighborhood who are not being provided with adequate care--shelter, food, etc. They are going to explore the human-animal bond and how it fosters compassion and empathy. We will use curriculum from the HEART (Humane Ed Advocates Reaching Teachers) North Shore Muttigree program along with a variety of fiction-non-fiction literature and online resources to support our investigations. Students will be empowered to take action and create awareness about the importance of spaying-neutering, why we should adopt and not shop and how to purchase products from companies that do not test on animals. Through a variety of project, students will be inspired to educate themselves and others about the special human-animal bond and how it helps create empathy and compassion. Students are concerned about area felines who they see wandering around, begging for food and do not seem to be adequately cared for. They also care about dogs--specifically beagles whom they heard are used for experiments on products people buy. Students will keep journals-scrapbooks of their experiences. They will read a variety of articles and books--write reflections, work in teams to create powerpoints, build a class website with another fourth grade class that explores the issue of homelessness--animals and people. They will work with the other Roots and Shoots team on creating magazines and fundraising to support local rescues. They will join forces with Pillows for Paws and join in their mission to bring comfort and love to NYC shelter animals. Overall, they will become compassionate and caring problem solvers as they set forth on their mission to help domestic animals in need!!!!
