good classroom pet?

[maya_exquisite]

Thanks for the suggestion, Jake... unfortunately I'm not a big chicken fan and - don't be mad but - I don't think they're pretty. Sowee!! But that sure is an original idea! I don't think there are any classrooms in Hawaii that have chickens as pets!!

[jakeandnikko]

Np. Lol. Why would I be mad? lol. I wish my teacher would have chickens lol. Its ok that you don't think chickens are pretty. haha. My mom thinks there dirty and nasty. I'm not aloud to have any. hehe

[Fruit Basket]

Not to mention, they (the chickens) are every were you look. They are like wild cats here.

[XYZZY]

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned before, but what about raising catepillars into butterflies/moths, and then releasing them once they mature? I remember we did that a few times, it was awesome watching the little critters eat and form their crysalis!

[R.I.P Max ILY so much!]

I have heard that stick bugs are good pets for kids, dont know much about them though, They could be interesting classroom pets.

ooo that's a good idea. I had one in the second grade. They aren't complicated at all.

[maya_exquisite]

Well, I got a little update that they're NOT doing renovations this summer (and has already been pushed back a couple of years!!) and they'll be doing it either sometime during next school year or possibly during next summer - bummer!! So trying to find a pet will be put on hold until I hear word of when they're gonna start the renovations. Urgh. Guess we're sticking with fish for the time being.

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned before, but what about raising catepillars into butterflies/moths, and then releasing them once they mature? I remember we did that a few times, it was awesome watching the little critters eat and form their crysalis!

Caterpillars aren't readily available all year round it seems... during the time there is an abundance, we usually raise them in our classroom (as we talk about life cycles).

Also, I'd like to avoid bugs (except caterpillars) as pets since the kids constantly play with bugs outside and it just creeps my assistant and I out (I get all itchy!!).

[eliza]

I agree with LC -- if the animal can't come home with you every Friday night and return every Monday morning, don't do it. It's cruel to leave an animal in a locked classroom for three nights.

Certain "pocket pet" species (hamsters and hedgehogs come to mind) are primarily nocturnal, so being forced to live in a classroom isn't healthy.

[Lady Polgara]

I was also thinking that chickens would be cool classroom pets. If they are laying hens then the kids could take the eggs home... Here in South Africa many schools for low income families keep chicken & they have vegie gardens as part of their feeding schemes. So chicken are duel purpose 'pets'...

[mamajodi]

When I was a 3rd grade teacher I had a dwarf hamster in my classroom named Peanut. She came home with me every Friday or the kids would sometimes sign up to take her home for a weekend and they loved that!

[Melza]

From what I've read they aren't big on being touched

depends on the bun and the treatment it recieves

however they dont tend to do well in classroom situations as they can be easily stressed by loud noises and sudden movement.

piggers can be good, they are easily handled and do settle down with time, they do need veggies daily though... and i wouldnt leave them alone on the weekend


also chickens are too difficult and their poo contains ammonia or something, i know i looked into rescuing battery hens but their coop needs to be kept quite far from human habitation, they would not do well inside...

class pets can do well, but a great deal of planning needed. like rach said piggers can be good. just be aware that they can be shy to start off with and the kids will need to go in slowly and quietly and hand feed them some veggies for them to come around.

i do think class pets help to teach compassion, especially to children who may not have siblings or pets at home to learn from.

good luck!!!

[rachelv]

You guys should check out www.PetsintheClassroom.org. There is a grant available called Pets in the Classroom that provides up to $150 to K-6th grade teachers for the purpose of purchasing a classroom pet and/or pet supplies. It's really easy to apply for and you hear back within a week as to if you will receive it.

[pixibubbles]

Actually i think hamsters are good- so long as they are a well bred syrian.

You would need three cages. One at home, one in class and one to transport.

If you got a female syrian baby towards the back end of the summer hols you would have time for it to get used to being handled (mine only ever bit in the first week or so before they understood that hands were safe and good sources of treats!) and they adpat really well to daytime rhthyms. Hamsters are only nocturnal by neccessity of their environment. If you were short, furry and good eating and lived surrounded by predators you would hide in daylight too!

The point is they adapt REALLY well to daytime living. All mine were on daytime hours within a few days. I just fed them at breakfast, and they tended to stay up. And the last syrian I had was well over 4 and a half when she passed from old age. and that is REALLY old for a syrian!

I say female because they tend to be slightly larger, more inquisitive and highly interactive whereas the boys are quieter, lazier and tend to sleep a lot more. Of course this is crass generalistation, but I've found to be true.

this is of course, assuming the rat and mice reaction of your assistant doesnt extend to hamsters...

[Muscowequan]

You'll get lots of experience, there will be lots to write about, and you'll be able to choose better in the end. I just loved the time we borrowed another class' pet rabbit! He was hilarious and very friendly, but the kids realized quickly what an amount of caring went into keeping his cage clean, his teeth properly cared for, getting the proper food, putting him to bed at night, and making sure he was safe in a classroom of shoelaces and electrical cords. We had lots of adventures, wrote lots of stories, read lots of...

[GreyBirdLove]

What about a pair of Doves? Or a fancy Pigeon? If gotten young, they can be very loveable pets, they really cant bite or cause damage. Easy to care for - not as needy as parrots.

[Birdmanca]

With all the issues possible you posted above, I would not bring a pet for a steady resident there. Just bring one for the day or when they allow you to. As for what type, it would be based on best temperment, not species for me.