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February 2015
The BC SPCA launched the Million Acts of Kindness campaign earlier this month, and Bark! has ideas on how you and your students can get involved. This issue also delves into the little-known B.C. industry of fur farming; fur farming is big business in B.C. but it keeps a low profile, and maybe for good reason. Plus, readers can discover some fascinating facts about wild mink and learn more about the Five Freedoms through an interactive article. If you are a teacher in British Columbia and would like to order a class set of this issue, please email us. Be sure to include your name, number of students, grade, school name and address and we’ll package them up and send them off for your class to enjoy. Remember, we appreciate any feedback on Bark! or any of our educational materials. If you have a suggestion for a story or want to share a project by a student or your class, let us know.
South
Through a series of deceptively simple and very effective illustrations, South tells the story of a little bird whose flock migrates for the winter, accidentally leaving him behind. An unlikely friend, Mooch the cat, notices the little bird’s sorrow and helps him. Together they set out on a journey to catch up with the flock – through a town, then a city, into a forest and out the other side, until they hear the familiar music of the little bird’s family. His job complete, Mooch says goodbye to his friend and then heads back to his own home, with a soft bed and a warm fire. Though not realistic in terms of animal behaviour, South is a beautifully understated story that uses animal characters to touch on themes of compassion, friendship and the importance of family – no matter who you are. Students can interpret the pictures, consider the lessons this book teaches, and perhaps even think about other ways we can learn from animals. Educators may also use South to teach young students about migration and the effect of the seasons on animals. This book is recommended for Preschool to Grade 1, but may be enjoyed by all ages. Get more BC SPCA book recommendations online.
Spread the word and get club members and classmates to sign up and submit their kind acts, too. We want to see all the different kind acts everyone is doing in our mission to get to a million. If you complete kind acts that aren't listed on the Million Acts website, share your stories and photos with us at kids@spca.bc.ca (subject line: My Kind Act) and we'll make sure they get counted towards the million. Maybe your kindness will inspire others to be more kind, too!
The link to this story does contain graphic images which some may find disturbing. Please be aware of this before sharing the information with others. The good news is that Willow is on the mend and has put on weight and we are hopeful will make a full recovery. Learn more about this news item and other BC SPCA news that you may want to include in class discussions. |
Click on a lesson plan below to learn more.
Kindness Counts
Companions for Life
You Can Make a Difference
Cluck - The life of an egg-laying hen (Gr. 4-6)
Bite Free (K - Gr. 5) Bite Free is on the recommended resource list for Health and Career Planning for grades K-5.
Please email us your questions and comments.  Informational DVDs and BC SPCA merchandise available at shop.spca.bc.ca |
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You are receiving this BC SPCA e-Teacher newsletter to because you have subscribed or are affiliated with a BC SPCA School Club. Login to update your contact information and email subscriptions or unsubscribe (we're sorry to see you go!). On behalf of all the animals we care for and protect, thank you for your support. |
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The winter 2015 issue of 
South, by Mutts comic strip artist Patrick
McDonnell, does not include any words – but it says a lot.
This month, sign up for the 
Reminiscent of a 
