Classroom Pets

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Home : 2007 : June : 9

Classroom Pets
By BetsyC

This year my class had a 30 gallon fish tank, rabbit, hermit crab, and a scorpion. Someone gave us the rabbit (BunBun) when she was just a baby. The kids handled her all the time and she wandered the classroom a lot. BunBun
was litter box trained and very rarely had accidents while outside her cage. Rabbits are a lot of work, but my students were completely in charge of caring for her. I really saw my struggling students along with one of my socially awkward students benefit from spending time with her.

We named our first hermit crab "Mr. Crabs" and he lived for a few months. Not sure why he

died...then he was replaced with Ms. Crabs who lived for about six or seven months. She died the day after I brought her home for summer vacation.:mad: Once again, students were completely in charge of caring for the crabs and they did a great job. I never noticed a strong "stinky" smell.

The scorpion was named "Venny" by the students. I purchased him at Petco after the class decided that was what they wanted for their Christmas present. He does have a stinger but his sting is only that of a bee. Of course, one never knows how a person may react to scorpion venom so there were strict rules and procedures in place for the students who took care of him.

In the past I've also had a spider and ginuea pigs. I considered getting millipedes for Christmas but the students voted for the scorpion. I think classroom pets are great for all students and caring for them adds to the feeling of community and responsibility to that community. You should check out your local pet store and see what they have to offer. Choose something that you are comfortable with and that you feel comfortable letting your children care for.;)