Pets in the Elementary Classroom
My research project has studied the presence of animals in the elementary school classroom.The research question I answered is “What are the benefits in student behavior with pets in the classroom”. I researched peer reviewed studies of animals in the classroom and their results. I addressed the what, why, and how.The what examines the most common pets.The why explains the positive impacts.The how discusses decisions and implementation required by the teacher. Overall classroom pets were shown to provide positive influences on children’s academics as well as emotional and social health.There were some minor negatives that will be addressed. Studies have been shown that pets in the classroom can clearly provide benefits to students in many areas like social interactions, attendance, sense of community, responsibility, and empowerment. Ultimately the decision to have and support classroom pets comes from the teacher. A classroom teacher is the decision maker (with school administration approval) in whether to have a pet and how students will interact with it. As a teacher implementing animals in my classroom and observing the results with my students.
EDUC 321, Classroom Relations and Management
Brian Kaelin
10 AM – Noon