PL 5.06Caring for a Classroom Animal

1. 1

   Invite the child to sit and watch the animal quietly for a minute. Name what it is doing.

2. 2

   Look at the care chart together: which jobs are for today.

3. 3

   Open the food container and fill the scoop once. Level it with a finger and add it to the dish or tank.

4. 4

   Take the water bottle or dish to the sink, rinse it, refill it, and put it back.

5. 5

   Mark the job on the care chart.

6. 6

   Wash hands right away.

7. 7

   On cleaning day, the adult moves the animal to a safe carrier. The child wears gloves, scoops old bedding into a bag, and spreads fresh bedding. Wash hands after.

8. 8

   Invite the child to take the feeding job on another day.

What catches the child’s eye

• The animal coming to the food
• One level scoop, no more
• The mark on the care chart

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Watch and draw the animal eating
2. Share the weekly care chart with a partner
3. Look up the animal's needs in a book and tell the class