Classroom Pets
By: Mrs. Chloe Champney
As the science teacher, I teach a variety of science courses, but I am particularly fond of life sciences and animals. I have a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Biology which means I have an unnatural amount of Kansas animal knowledge. When I interviewed for the science teacher position, I was informed that students would love to have a class-room pet. My high school had multiple animals in the science room and I made it a goal to provide the same opportunity for my future students.
I acquired my first classroom animal in the summer before teaching. My family was on a walk, and I came across a toadlet. I stuck it in my pocket, walked home, and took the toad to school with me. Students named the toad Terry and spent the year observing her and her behaviors. Terry spends a large part of the school year hibernating, but students enjoy catching and feeding her grasshoppers when she is active.
The second pet is from Dodge City, Kansas. Spike the Texas Horned Lizard looks a little scary but acts like a little lizard dog. He is very entertaining for students and has a large appetite for red harvester ants. Both animals are great to have in the classroom when we are discussing reptiles, amphibians, ecosystems, or habitats.
For the time being, we are content with our two classroom pets!