Lesson Plan: Pet Scientists
Time Period: Flexible but we recommend at least 45 minutes
Age range: 5-7
About this lesson
The aim of this lesson, or short group of lessons, is to introduce the basic need for all animals, including humans, to eat and exercise properly. It also encourages children to recognise their responsibilities when caring for a pet and to be able to recognise good and bad foods for animals.
Prior Learning
No prior learning required.
Learning Intentions
Pet Scientists will help you teach the basic food and exercise needs for three different animals - cats, dogs and rabbits. We introduce good nutritional habits and emphasise some of the dangerous foods, which are often inadvertently given to pets (such as chocolate or milk).
Learning Outcomes
Children should have a good understanding of the food and exercise types best suited to dogs, cats and rabbits. They should also be able to relate life processes in animals to themselves and animals.
Links to the National Curriculum England and Wales
Subject
Science KS1 Sc2 Life processes and living things.
Syllabus Link
Life processes.
1. Pupils should be taught:
b) that animals, including humans, move, feed, grow, use their senses and reproduce.
c) to relate life processes to animals and plants found in the local environment.
Humans and other animals.
2. Pupils should be taught:
a) to recognise and compare the main external parts of the bodies of humans and other animals.
b) that humans and other animals need food and water to stay alive.
c) that taking exercise and eating the right types and amounts of food help humans to keep healthy.
d) about the role of drugs as medicines.
e) how to treat animals with care and sensitivity.
Links to the Scottish Guidelines
Subject
Science: The processes of life Level A (5-14 curriculum).
Syllabus Link
Processes of Life.
1. Pupils should be taught:
a) to give the conditions needed by animals and plants to stay healthy.
b) to explore healthy eating, rest and exercise, personal hygiene, relationships with others, etc., and their provision for themselves and others.
c) how to look after others, including pets, plants and animals in the environment.
d) to develop an understanding of growth and development and life cycles, including cells and cell processes.
e) to develop an understanding of the interdependence of living things with the environment. The conservation and care of living things are also considered.
Keywords
Movement, exercise, activity, healthy/unhealthy, balanced diet, food, eating, drinking, feeding, vegetables, fruit, meat/fish.
Resources
- Computer and data projector
- PDSA pet care tips
- Drawing materials (for extension activity)
Lesson Structure
Introduction and warm up (Timing: 10 mins).
Show the PDSA Introductory PowerPoint. It will describe in simple terms what PDSA does, the importance of pet care, the Five Freedoms advocated by the Animal Welfare Act of 2007 and the lesson to follow.
Ask children about their pets. Ask them about the similarities and differences between themselves and their pets - arms, legs, feet for example.
Move onto other similarities and emphasise that we all need food, exercise (or play).
Main (Timing: 25 mins)
Take the children through the online games involving them in decision making as much as possible.
At the end of each part of the game ask children to confirm what they have learnt and what action they will take to improve the care of their pets.
The video PetCasts are a very important learning tool in this game. They contain interviews with PDSA vets and nurses who show and explain, very clearly, some of the key learning points.
Plenary (Timing : 10 mins)
Confirm learning and introduce the extension activity (if required).
Encourage children to revisit the games online and to find out more about responsible pet care from the Young PDSA website.
Extension Activity
Favourite Pets Club: an extension lesson, or series of lessons, where children can bring in drawings and photographs or videos of their pets and form groups to review and assess the different foods and exercise arrangements each child makes for their pets.
Competency Standards
As a result of these sessions children will be able to understand better the similarities between themselves and animals, and proper ways to feed and exercise them.
