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WHICH PET WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR THE CLASSROOM?

People all over the world keep animals as pets. Some are noisy, some quiet, some like to be handled, others don't. Some very big whilst others are so small they can hardly be seen. The variety of animals which could be pets is enormous. How do people choose their pets?

Your Task:

You have been given a sum of money to purchase a pet for your classroom. Your task is to research the suitability of various pets and decide which one would be ideal for your class. You then have to present your information to the class teacher with reasons for your choice.

You must research at least three animals before you make a choice.

Step 1

To help you organize and present your information it would be best to put it into a table.
Click here to see table 1. print it out and use it to organise your information. Remember, you need to research at least three animals.

Step 2

Explore the internet to find information on various animals.
You can also research using books, videos, encyclopaedias, and C.D's.
Brochures are usually available at vets and pet shops.
People who already own the pets you are interested in can also be a great source of information.
There are some links below to get you started.

Alphabetic Index of Animals
Exotic Pets for Kids
Top Pets for Kids
Your Family Pets
Animal Land

and .... there are lots of links at http://www.google.com/alpha/Top/Kids_and_Teens/Your_Family/Pets/

Step 3

When you have completed your research and presented your information in table1 you need to answer the following questions:

1. Is the pet the right size to be kept in a classroom?
2. Can we make a comfortable and safe habitat in the classroom?
3. Can we easily get the right food for it?
4. Do we know how to handle and/or exercise it?
5. Can we treat it if it gets sick?
6. Do we know how they reproduce?
7. Can weekend and holiday arrangements be made for the care of your pet?
8. Do we know where to get the pet?
9. Is the animal poisonous or dangerous in any way?
10. Are we breaking any laws by keeping this pet?
11. Is your animal an endangered or protected species?

To present your answers print out and fill in table 2. Click here for Table 2.

If you can answer "yes" to questions 1 -8 and "no" to questions 9 to 11 then you have probably made a good choice for a possible classroom pet. "Maybe" answers might turn into a yes or no after further research and discussion with others.

Step 4

Now that you have collected your information and answered questions on the suitability or not of your chosen pet, you have to convince your teacher and the rest of the class, in writing, that you have made the right decision.

Format 1 will help you organize your written argument (exposition).