Learning About Animals Using Webkinz Pets

The study of animals takes place throughout the elementary years. Imagine the enthusiasm in children if learning about animals included using their favorite toys?

Within the world of Webkinz, there are animals of all sorts; dogs, cats, farm animals, wild animals, reptiles, birds, etc.

Thinking about the types of content expectations that range through the grade levels there are easy applications for hands-on and multidisciplinary learning with the Webkinz pets. Whether you are studying habitats, predators, types of animal coverings, or food chains I can show you how to harness the enthusiasm kids have for the Webkinz pets to increase the learning in your classroom.

Let's start by thinking of simple sorting exercises. There are an endless number of ways to categorize the Webkinz pets. This may depend upon which animals the children bring with them to share in this activity! But, since most children I talk to have more than twenty pets, I bet you could gather an extensive set of animals to work with in your classroom without investing in them yourself. Note: Before having children bring their pets to school, be sure that each pet is labeled with the owner's initials and all secret code documents removed.

Use hula hoops on the floor to compare the animals. The hula hoops simulate the circles of the Venn Diagram. You might use two hoops or three depending upon what characteristics you are comparing. For comparing more than three characteristics you might use meter sticks to make columns for animals instead. Some suggested classifications for sorting include: omnivore, herbivore, carnivore; color; jungle, forest, farm, or house; mammal, reptile, bird, amphibian; feathers, scales, skin, or hair; legs or wings; how many legs; pet or not pet; long hair, short hair, no hair.

During or after classifying the animals on the floor students can transfer the information onto charts or venn diagrams.

How about building a food chain or food web by laying the animals out on the floor. After creating the web it can be transferred to paper or computer (especially with a mapping software such as Inspiration or Kidspiration).

Other animal study ideas include choosing a Webkinz pet and making a brochure that is about that real animal. A tri-fold brochure could include five sections about the animal in real life. Then one segment could be about the child's Webkinz pet. This could include a digital photo.

A writing activity could include the topic, "Make Me Love Your Pet" and the child uses descriptive writing to captivate an audience with the antics of his or her pet. Or, with a photo of the pet on top, children could write Missing Pet advertisements, acrostic poems, or animal adventure tales.

These are just a couple of activities that can make learning exciting within your classroom by using the enthusiasm kids have for their toys and turning toys into learning tools.

Kathy Cothran is an elementary media specialist committed to helping teachers turn toys into learning tools. Her vast teaching experience ranges from preschool through Master's level education classes.

Download a free sampler of activities for using Webkinz pets for learning at http://turningtoysintotools.com

For years Kathy has been a "Gadget Girl." She loves technology! Tie that to her extensive teaching background and she has been able to interest, invigorate, and inspire children and teachers to use technology in a rich, exciting manner.

Find out more about Kathy at http://theoriginalgadgetgirl.com