Being from a low poverty area on the gulf coast comes with some challenges. I strive with poor attendance and tardiness as a result. Last year I started "The Guinea Pig Experiement." I decided that if I had a exciting daily routine each morning with an awesome pet in the middle my students just would not want to miss out by being absent or late.
As soon as the guinea pig, Charlie, was introduced students that were typically late started coming to school on time, and I saw a decrease in truancy among my students. Not only that, but my scores even improved! Who knew what a little piggie could do to help grow my class camaraderie! My students love to read to him, write about him, and they even did guinea pig research. When we visited the zoo on our field trip, they even related the other animals like rabbits and capabaras to Charlie in various ways.
This year I plan to bring Charlie back to the classroom during the first week of school. My students love their class pet, but he is an expensive little critter. He has grown nearly 2 pounds since he first arrived, and he needs a bigger habitat and supplies. The children will have a much better view of their sweet friend in his new habitat that will allow for more reading, writing, and togetherness!
About my class
Being from a low poverty area on the gulf coast comes with some challenges. I strive with poor attendance and tardiness as a result. Last year I started "The Guinea Pig Experiement." I decided that if I had a exciting daily routine each morning with an awesome pet in the middle my students just would not want to miss out by being absent or late.
As soon as the guinea pig, Charlie, was introduced students that were typically late started coming to school on time, and I saw a decrease in truancy among my students. Not only that, but my scores even improved! Who knew what a little piggie could do to help grow my class camaraderie! My students love to read to him, write about him, and they even did guinea pig research. When we visited the zoo on our field trip, they even related the other animals like rabbits and capabaras to Charlie in various ways.
This year I plan to bring Charlie back to the classroom during the first week of school. My students love their class pet, but he is an expensive little critter. He has grown nearly 2 pounds since he first arrived, and he needs a bigger habitat and supplies. The children will have a much better view of their sweet friend in his new habitat that will allow for more reading, writing, and togetherness!
Read more