PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

�Taking Care of Your Community by Taking Care of Your Pet,� is a three week unit of study designed to encourage students to become active members of their community by enhancing their overall awareness of issues and responsibilities associated with pet care and welfare. Students learn the importance of becoming responsible pet owners and how their behaviors and attitudes can have a definite impact on society. The primary focus of this program is to prepare students to take an active approach toward issues of social concern and importance such as pets. Students are challenged with the responsibility of not only educating themselves, but are aware that they must also educate others as well. The goal of the program is to have middle school and high school students teach younger students the importance of pets and their surroundings. In preparation for this unit, students meet with various guest speakers to educate themselves about the importance of pet concerns, pet care, and pet awareness. Some of these speakers include local police officers, veterinarians and their assistants, animal shelter employees and animal control agencies.

During this three week unit of study, students complete various projects and activities to assist them in educating local second grade students about issues related to pets. The students work together to develop mini presentations and mini skits to present to the local elementary students. Door hangers, pet-care bags, and coloring books are created to distribute to the students during their visit to the elementary schools. Other materials and projects can be incorporated into this project to enhance the overall creativity and effectiveness of this unit. Some suggestions are pet calendars and pet videos of the students and their pets. A pet visitation day is recommended for the creation of a calendar or a class video. A pet visitation day is also an enjoyable and interesting way to capture student interest and develop a sense of focus for this unit.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
 The objectives of the program are as follows:
 To provided a framework for the grantee to use as a curriculum guide for the project
 To provide learning through active participation in a service experience
 To use the New Jersey Department of Education Core Curriculum Standards in Language Arts Literacy, Science, and Social Studies to deliver the project
 To educate the community about the needs of animals such as physical and mental stimulation, companionship, play, exercise, adequate nutrition and medical care.

For complete program details, visit
http://www.njvma.org/new/grants/NJVMA-Teaching-Guide.doc

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - June 24, 2006