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Classroom Education

Animals and Plants in Classroom Education

Pets in K-12 school classrooms can be valuable teaching assets. Caring for companion animals helps students to relate to species in their natural habitats while fostering a sense of environmental ethics.  A study by the American Humane Association found that the benefits of classroom pets went beyond aiding in science and nature instruction. Teachers reported that student interactions, behavior and participation improved in the presence of companion animals in their classroom.

A pet in the classroom helps improve student participation and interaction. Photo: Pets in the Classroom

Having pets in an educational setting opens a window into responsible pet ownership: a commitment to understand the needs of the animal and to provide care throughout its lifetime. Many classroom pets are non-native, providing an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of animal life while protecting native species from the threat of potentially invasive plants and animals.

Planning for Classroom Pets

Pets and plants in the school setting require additional planning to provide care throughout the school year and beyond. Pets, aquariums, and campus water gardens require attention and maintenance outside regular school hours and during the summer. When a teacher changes schools or jobs, classroom companion animals will need new homes. Fortunately, there are many resources to assist in caring for classroom pets, including choosing species that are not considered invasive and options to re-home companion animals rather than releasing them where they may impact the local environment.

In choosing a pet or garden feature for the classroom, take advantage of resources describing appropriate habitats and maintenance. Keeping aquatic animals requires filtration and temperature control, based on the size of the aquarium and the number of fish. Reptile habitat includes different light sources to aid in body temperature regulation and vitamin synthesis. Small animal enclosures need good ventilation, various furnishing for exercise, dental maintenance (for rodents), healthy bedding and food and water bowls.

Many types of pets have been incorporated into classroom settings. Fish are probably the most common choice, but small animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and rats are also popular among teachers. Reptiles in the classroom include bearded dragons, leopard geckos, turtles, snakes, other lizards. Amphibians (such as tree frogs and toads) and birds are less common. Despite their undeserved reputation, tarantulas are an occasional classroom pet. Some teachers report having more than one classroom pet: a fish aquarium together with lizard habitat, multiple turtles, or several small animals.

More on Choosing the Right Classroom Pet

Caring for Classroom Pets after the School Year

There are several options for teachers who will not be taking a classroom pet or garden home for the summer.

  • Check with an environmental learning center, public aquarium, zoo.
  • Some pet stores or suppliers will accept donated or returned animals.
  • Students may want to provide the pet a new home.

In cases where someone adopts your fish or aquatic animals but does not take the aquarium or container, sterilize the water with ¼ teaspoon of bleach per gallon before pouring into the toilet or the sink. This will eliminate the chance of microscopic organisms becoming established in nearby ponds, lakes or rivers.

If a classroom garden cannot be maintained, seal the plants in a plastic bag before discarding in the trash. Don’t compost any non-native plants because their seeds and other plant parts may spread.

Protect the Environment

Some classroom pets and plants have been released, often by well-meaning teachers or students, including goldfish, rusty crayfish, red-eared slider turtles and elodea (a non-native aquarium plant). Many popular classroom pets are from tropical or subtropical regions or have been domesticated and are unlikely to survive outside captivity due to climate, predators, or the inability to find appropriate food and shelter. In some cases, however, these introduced species may survive, reproduce and become invasive, causing impacts to native species and habitats.

Beyond the environmental risk, releasing non-native species is illegal in many states. Before choosing your classroom pets, contact your state fish and wildlife agency or natural resources agency to find out which animals are restricted or prohibited in your state. The combined state and federal list of regulated and prohibited aquatic plants is a resource to identify plants that may be restricted in your area

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