Nassau Showcase
Adopt Don't Shop!
Title of Project: Adopt Don't Shop!
Schools and Teachers
Old Mill Road School & Michael F. Stokes School Teachers: Jen Anderson & Christina Moser Grade: 2
ENL Proficiency Level | ENL Program | Standards | Technology
Transitioning, Expanding, Commanding | Stand-Alone, Integrated ENL/ELA, Co Taught | 2SL5, 2L4 , 2W1 | Nearpod, Jamboard, Flipgrid
Assessments
Formative & Summative:
Completion of all the following activities show student success in meeting their learning targets:
Friendly Letter, Nearpod data, Flipgrid video, Jamboard Frames, Voting Activity
Description
Students learned about animal cruelty and recorded videos of themselves reading to their pets to promote fluency and command of the English language.
Content
Content: I can learn unfamiliar words relating to animal cruelty and homelessness.
Language
I can compare and contrast an animal shelter and a pet store.
I can define dog and cat homelessness and overpopulation.
I can create a change in the opinions of others regarding animal homelessness and cruelty.
Technology
Technology: I can use Nearpod, Jamboard and Flipgrid to educate others about animal homelessness, pet care and pet adoption.
Student work
Procedure
Students were exposed to different stories of animal cruelty and neglect. The Nearpod activity highlighted important information about dog and cat homelessness, overpopulation and the differences between animal shelters, pet stores and puppy mills. The students learned the importance of spreading the word to others that animals can help us in many ways. They learned that relationships can be made with an animal which can build confidence. They can offer comfort and ease during stressful situations. Students learned how animals increase relaxation and reduce anxiety.
They interviewed other classmates and teachers to learn what they know about pet care, adoption and animal cruelty. The students polled their classmates to see if they had a dog and where they got it from (pet store or adoption center). Students interpreted their information by creating a graph that represented the results. By having the students write a friendly letter, persuading Mrs. Anderson to adopt a pet rather than shop for one, the students were able to reflect on their experiences and promote change within the Island Trees and North Merrick communities.
Resources:
Nearpod, Flipgrid, Jamboard, Chromebook, iPads, Google Classroom, Google Slides
Reflection
The culminating activity of this lesson was to participate in the Bideawee’s Reading to Dogs Program. However, due to the current pandemic, we adapted our project and decided to focus on the social emotional needs of our communities. The students created Flipgrid videos and read to their own pets to provide a sense of relaxation and comfort during this difficult time. Children practiced their reading fluency, recorded videos and shared with their community their love for animals. The links of the videos will be shared with the program facilitator for Bideawee.
We are so pleased with the way we adapted our vision for this project. We modified the activities so that our students could participate remotely. Given the circumstances, we are happy with the end result.