Starter activity
What makes a good pet?
Ask the class which animals make good pets. Why? (If you have not already done so, make a class list.) Write a selection of common pets, such as dog, cat, goldfish, hamster, on sticky notes and put them on the board. Which are the easiest and which are the hardest to look after? Can pupils put them in order? Alternatively, put a sign at one end of the room that says 'Easy' and one at the other end that says 'Difficult'. Use images of pets, and in groups, ask pupils where they would stand between these two points for each animal. Encourage pupils to justify their opinions. Give them a time limit.
Use these ideas to compile a list of criteria that make pets easier to look after. This will not just depend on the animal's needs, but also the knowledge and commitment of the pet owner. Remind pupils that the RSPCA rescues abandoned or mistreated pets.
Learning styles: linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal.
Main activity
Exotic pets
Introduce the idea of exotic (non-domestic) animals as pets. Show the class photos of exotic animals (click on hyperlink in Useful websites section, right, or source your own additional images). Do they know what each one is? Define an exotic pet. (See Exotic pets resource in Useful websites section). For example, animals that have only recently become household pets, usually from tropical countries.
Work in groups to make a list of what pupils can find out about exotic animals. Focus on one animal, such as the green iguana, or do a general search. You could provide children with some information on four or five exotic animals (see Useful websites section) and do the snowballing activity, below. You could also refer to the Exotic pets session (see Useful websites section).
Snowballing
In pairs, speed read the information on exotic animals. Each pair is looking for specific details, such as habitat, diet, size it will grow to, length of life. Set a time limit. When the time is up, each pair should find another pair and swap two facts. Continue until all the groups have shared their facts. Review what the class has learned.
Pupils can also use the worksheet Exotic pets (click on the hyperlink, right). Ask them to find out more about exotic pets. Do they think exotic animals are easy to look after? Where would they put different exotic animals on the Easy to Difficult to look after scale of pets?
The RSPCA campaigns to protect the welfare of exotic pets because:
- they may have been taken from the wild where the species is endangered
- they may have been taken into captivity after being born in the wild
- they may have special needs: diet, temperature and space, which are difficult to provide in captivity
- they may live longer than their owner.
Learning styles: linguistic, visual, interpersonal, intrapersonal.
Plenary activity
Mini role play
Work in pairs. Half the class are As and half Bs. As have to persuade Bs that exotic animals make good pets. Remember exotic pets' needs. Bs have to persuade As the opposite.
Alternatively, work in groups of six. Each group could discuss the following scenario: a friend sees a green iguana in a pet shop and wants to buy it. What would you say or do? Think about: the law, your family, the pet's needs, your commitment. One group could act out the scenario. The rest of the class can put up their hands to 'rewind' or stop the role play at any time if they have a better idea. Half the class should prompt the person who wants to buy the iguana and the other half will advise the friend.
Learning styles: kinaesthetic, linguistic, interpersonal.
