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October 2019
 Included with this month’s issue of Bark! magazine is Meow!, your teacher resource guide for integrating animal themes into the classroom.
Using this issue of Meow!, teachers can empower students to learn how to make positive change for animals by getting the animal welfare conversation started in their classrooms.
Meow! explores what educators across B.C. are doing to include animals in the conversation. Through our You Can Make a Difference workshop program, students across British Columbia took action for animals through a variety of cross-curricular inquiry learning projects. In our Teacher Spotlight, hear from teachers who have invited the BC SPCA into their classrooms as they reflect on the lasting impact that humane education programs have had on their students.
For students who love to read, our BC SPCA book recommendations provide an excellent launching pad to exploring animal issues through story. You can also use Bark! to encourage students to create inquiry projects by discovering a wide variety of animal issues.
This resource guide will be sent to your school, along with the new issue of Bark!, if you would like your own copy of Meow!, please email us.
 Don’t Let Them Disappear
by Chelsea Clinton
Reading level: Grades 1-4
Did you know that tigers can jump over fifteen feet in one pounce? Or that a group of Polar Bears is called a celebration? We share the world with millions of unique animal species, but what can we do to ensure they don’t disappear?
With scientific facts that will fascinate elementary-age children and vibrant, watercolour illustrations will appeal to everyone, Don’t Let Them Disappear makes the topic of endangered and extinct species accessible to younger children. Focusing on 12 endangered animals, the causes of these animals’ endangerment, including pollution and climate change, the story encourages children to take action by providing tips on how they can help.
Teachers should note, under the What You Can Do suggestions, it states to support zoos. The BC SPCA is opposed to the permanent confinement of wild and exotic animals unless it can be demonstrated that the Five Freedoms can be met in the captive environment, though, ultimately, the BC SPCA believes individuals and organizations should phase out collections of these animals.
Read more reviews of our recommended books.
 A graffiti wall is a great technique to get students actively thinking and participating in your club’s mission. They are a lot of fun to create, and only the markers talk, which encourages perspective taking, addresses bias, and fosters new experiences for students. You may be surprised to find how many potential topics and club themes come out of such a simple, powerful exercise.
What you will need is a collection of markers, a board (or a wall covered in paper) where students can record their thoughts and understandings. When students are done, keep the graffiti, and add new learnings throughout the course of the year.
It is best to start with a general statement, such as: “The treatment of animals, nature and others is connected.” Then, let the students take over. When finished, discuss the big connections that arise, and dig deeper into topics and views that interest your club. This is also an excellent way to engage your entire school in thinking about how they can help animals. Post the graffiti wall in a hallway, or by the office, and encourage the wider school to add ideas.
Don’t forget to share your walls with us for a chance to be featured in a future newsletter.
 Do you have any budding wildlife photographers in your class? Inspire them with the winners of the Wild ARC Wildlife-in-Focus contest.
Students take thousands of pictures every year. Why not encourage them to use their skills to help raise money for wildlife and get recognized for their image? Capturing a wildlife moment takes time and patience, so even though this year’s contest is over, it is good to start thinking about an entry for next year.
The winners and all entries can be viewed online. This year the contest raised over $16,800 for wildlife in need at BC SPCA’s Wild ARC rehabilitation centre in Metchosin.
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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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