inquiry+unit+Classroom+Pet

Classroom Pet
This unit was based on the key question "Which would be the best pet for our classroom? Two teachers at Opoutere School (Zania Watts and Donna Harper) undertook this unit with their Year One and Year Two & Three classes. The unit took six weeks.

8. Revisit PMIs. Narrow down to three - five choices using criteria. 9. Students choose one of these pets. 10. Students explain (written and/or verbally) the reasons for their choice in the form of a persuasive argument. 11. Students vote on the class pet. Graph results to find chosen pet. 12. Optional follow-on inquiry - how to look after chosen pet. || ||
 * ===Learning Experiences:=== ## Brainstorm of criteria for a pet. Record on ACTIVboard (or chart) for future reference.# Brainstorm possible pets. Record on ACTIVboard (or chart) for future reference. Add pets to this chart if they arise during the inquiry.
 * 1) Visit to Katikati Bird Gardens.
 * 2) Several pets brought to school. Their owners are interviewed about pet needs and what they can do.
 * 3) PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting chart) having a bird for a pet. This could be done as a whole class with young student or individually with older ones. Display these.
 * 4) Repeat steps 4 & 5 with various pets. || [[image:Pets_005_(Small).jpg width="266" height="199" align="left"]] ||
 * 7. Visit to vet - interview vet to find out needs of pets. Add information to the PMIs that arises from the interview. Revise criteria if necessary.
 * [[image:Pets_010.jpg width="527" height="407"]] || [[image:Pets_008_(Small).jpg width="266" height="352" align="left"]] ||