November 2016
Schools play an important role in a child’s development. Teaching students about well-being beyond physical health can influence how successful they will be in their work, relationships and in their community.
Positive emotional experiences have long-lasting effects on our personal growth and development. Specifically, positive emotions broaden our attention and thinking, enhance resilience and build durable personal resources, which fuel more positive emotions in the future.
From Berkley University in California, the Greater Good Science Center explores these ideas and provides teachers with tools to teach happiness at school.
Go Home! by Libby Phillips Meggs
Go Home! is the true story of an abandoned cat surviving on his own, though he yearns for a home. He has some recollection of being a household pet but, for the past year or so, he has been forced to scavenge and find a dry, warm place to sleep. When he encounters a friendly family, they mistakenly think he has a home because he is wearing a collar – albeit much too tight – and tell him to go home. He survives a few seasons on his own until, one night, he is attacked by a dog. He is recognized by the family the next day as he wanders out from under the shed, injured and thin. They take him to the vet, put up posters to find his guardians and eventually welcome him into their home where he gets all of the love and comforts he so long desired.
This is a wonderful true story sure to be treasured by any cat or animal lover, big or small.
Read more BC SPCA book recommendations online.
Holiday concert season and parent-teacher interviews are just around the corner. Why not share your love of animals by creating a display in the school hallways for parents to see? You could create posters of animals available for adoption or in need of medical care at the BC SPCA, share stories about your own pets along with a photo or hand-drawn picture, or share information on an animal issue that you’d like to see changed in your community. There are lots of issues to choose from – like dogs in the back of pick-up trucks, tethered dogs, animals sold in pet stores or the spaying and neutering of cats before they are six months old.
Make sure your display or posters are bright and bold to catch the attention of those passing by.
If you are thinking about adopting a pet this winter, consider adopting a cat from the BC SPCA before the weather gets cold. Right now, there are more than 1,600 cats in our care who need loving forever, indoor homes! Our Turn Brrrs into Purrs adoption event runs from November 24 to December 5, and features 50 per cent off fees for adult cats. Our adoption fee includes vaccinations, internal and external parasite treatments, spaying or neutering, permanent ID and any necessary medical care.
Learn more about this news item and other BC SPCA news that you may want to include in class discussions.
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The BC SPCA has classroom resources for grades K-7. The lessons integrate animal issues and information into existing provincial learning outcomes. Click on a lesson plan below to learn more.
Kindness counts (Primary)
Bite free (Primary/intermediate)
Making the right choice (Intermediate)
You can make a difference (Intermediate)
The farm-food connection (Intermediate)
Cats in the community (Intermediate)
Including animals in social justice (Intermediate/Secondary)
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