Teller Elementary School: Challenge Project
Pets
The Challenge Project is an optional activity for students who want to extend their learning experiences, to work beyond the classroom requirements, and/or to explore alternative topics. Families may need to lend support, encouragement, and assistance at home. The Challenge Projects are organized by Ms. Bass, Teller’s GT Specialist.
1. Pick an animal that you would like to have [realistically] as a pet or that you would like to learn more about. If the animal that you pick has numerous breeds or types, be specific with your choice. For example, instead of picking a dog, pick a specific breed, such as an English bull dog.
2. Research that animal breed or type, and make a chart of the pros and cons of owning that pet. Consider:
· Who will take care of the pet daily?
· How much will it cost to adopt or buy the pet?
· How much will veterinary visits cost?
· How much will a license cost?
· What will we feed the pet? How much will that cost?
· Where will we keep the pet where it will have enough space that it is safe and secure? Is that another cost?
· Do we need to train the pet? How much will that cost?
· What else might the pet need?
3. If you cannot decide between pets, make a chart of the pros and cons of owning each animal. For example, which would be better for your family, a dog or a fish? A tarantula or a hamster? A ferret or a parrot?
4. Analyze your research and make a decision on which would be the best pet. Either write (or have someone help you write) a paragraph about your choice, or write a persuasive letter to your parent or teacher telling why that pet would be ideal for home or school.
Do one or more additional projects about pets.
5. You might want to interview a veterinarian asking for his/her professional opinion about your pet ideas. Be ready with questions before your interview.
6. Create a first aid kit for the pet you have chosen. Consult a veterinarian about the items you should have in case this pet is injured or poisoned.
7. Some parents might want you to have experience before you own a pet. Talk to them about volunteering at an animal shelter.
8. You might want to start a business related to pets. If so, get help developing a business plan, advertising, and /or developing products:
· Offering pet daycare· Walking dogs
· Scooping poop
· Cleaning litter
· Cleaning aquariums / · Grooming dogs
· Making cat toys
· Making personalized pet dishes
· Making pet treats
9. Let’s look at logistics:
· Who will take care of the pet daily? Create a written plan detailing feeding, exercising, playing, cleaning, etc.
· How much will this pet cost? Create a spreadsheet detailing as many costs as you can think of. Here are a few to include:
Ø Initial cost
Ø Vet bills
Ø License
Ø Food
Ø Training
Ø Equipment (halter, leash, litter pan, dog house, aquarium, hot rock, cage, kennel, fish bowl, saddle, bird cage, etc.)
Ø Care when you are away
· Where will you keep the pet so that it will have enough space and is safe and secure? Draw a floor plan.
10. Consider the behavior and background of the animal [or its ancestors]. Learn the natural differences between herd animals and pack animals. Consider the differences in behavior of animals that are naturally “prey” versus those which are naturally “predators.” Which behaviors are normal animal behaviors versus those that develop when an animal is stressed or sick?
11. Some people would like to keep wild and/or endangered animals as pets. Research this topic and determine if this is acceptable or unacceptable, legal or illegal, and humane or inhumane.
12. Is your pet bred and trained for work? If so, research the breeding and training of dogs (search and rescue, police, therapy, etc.) and horses (police, race, draft, etc.).
13. Make a timeline of the evolution of the animal that you’ve chosen as a pet. Include illustrations.
14. Get or draw an illustration of the animal that you’ve chosen to study. Label its external parts. You might also want to include an internal illustration with its skeletal system (if it has an endoskeleton). Label the main bones. How is the animal’s anatomy suited for survival or suited for the work it has done throughout history and/or does now?
15. What is the origin and history of the animal you’ve chosen? How did this animal come to be domesticated? For what purposes were they bred? For example, dogs were bred for herding, retrieving, racing, hunting, or guarding.
16. It’s also interesting to learn the continents and countries of origin of companion birds, lizards, and rodents. How did these animals come to live as pets in people’s homes?
17. Investigate how genetics has been used to develop different dog, horse, and cat breeds for different purposes. See Mr. Sprague to interview a dog breeder.
18. If you are working on this Challenge Project, you obviously feel that people should have pets. But some people don’t agree. Research this perspective and then develop a way to respectfully represent this viewpoint.
19. What are the pros and cons of getting a pet from a breeder versus a shelter versus a pet store? What are the ethical issues and concerns associated with each? What should you know when buying a pet? What can you do to inform others?
20. The following issue can be disturbing and you should talk to your parents before you jump into researching puppy mills. What are puppy mills? Why do people operate puppy mills? Should puppy mills be allowed to operate?
21. Many animals show up in mythology or folktales. Investigate to see if the animal you have chosen is represented in mythology or folktales. What is the role of the animal in the culture of the myth or folktale?
22. Many animals have heightened senses compared to humans, although some animals have senses that are less effective than ours. Study the senses of the pet that you have chosen. How do they compare to ours?
23. During the 1950s and 1960s, animals were used in the space program. Animals have been used in the military and by police for many years. Do you think that it is acceptable to use animals in order to save human lives, or is it wrong? Write a paragraph detailing your opinion.
24. James Herriott was a British veterinary surgeon and writer who used his experiences as a veterinary surgeon to write a series of books about animals and their owners, and his experiences as a country vet. Locate some of his books for children and enjoy!
25. Read Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays. Try to visit an animal shelter and interview a volunteer or staff member. How might you help your local shelter? What do they most need? Can you rally your school community to fulfill the shelter’s needs?
26. Survey your classmates to find out what pets they have. Graph your results. Analyze your findings. Do you see any patterns?
27. Do pets have language? How do they express themselves? Create a poster, PowerPoint, or booklet that will help people understand how to “read” their pets.
28. Do pets have feelings and emotions? Develop a way to show what you have learned.
29. There are certain foods and plants in our homes that are poisonous to pets. Find out what these are, and make a poster to alert your classmates to these dangers.
30. Dogs have been called “man’s best friend.” Why is that? What roles do dogs and all pets play in the lives of humans?
31. This may be too disturbing to study, but if you are interested, please talk to a parent for permission. Animals are used for medical research investigating heart and lung disease, cancer, aging, and orthopedics. They are still commonly used in studies to test the safety of human drugs and industrial chemicals. If you research this topic, create a way to show the advantages and disadvantages. Are there effective alternatives to using animals in medical and pharmaceutical research and/or testing? Write a paragraph or essay detailing your opinion.