January 2013

Look for the next issue of Bark! magazine in your school library near the end of the month.

In this issue, kids will learn how to incorporate their love of animals into school projects and get involved in community events. They will also discover some fascinating new facts about dogs and cats and have a chance to enter their pets’ photos in the Comfy Critter photo contest.

If you 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.

Kit: The Adventures of a Racoon
by Shirley Woods

Written by Shirley Woods with illustrations by Celia Godkin, Kit chronicles the first few years in the life of a young raccoon.

Though he starts life with two siblings, Kit soon finds himself the only survivor of his litter when his sisters are subjected to predators and human activity. Later, when he is old enough and on his own, Kit’s adventures include encounters with other wildlife, track hounds, traps and humans.

While some anthropomorphizing is apparent, it doesn’t take away from the realistic nature of the story. Kit’s story will intrigue young readers and provide them with an accurate portrayal of a raccoon’s life in both an urban and wild setting.

Kit: The Adventures of a Raccoon is suitable for readers in grades 2 to 5. Though out of print, it can still be found for sale online.

Get more BC SPCA book recommendations online.

School Club December Tip

Participate in National Cupcake Day and help the animals!

SPCAs and Humane Societies across Canada are encouraging supporters to have some fun, eat cake and raise funds for animals in need. Your club can be part of this national event. Just register online, bake and decorate, then invite friends, family, teachers and classmates to make a donation for each cupcake. National Cupcake Day is officially Feb. 25, but you can plan your event for any time in February.

Here are some tips for a successful Cupcake Day at school:

• Make sure you get permission from your teacher. 

• Tell your parents or guardians to be prepared for a bit of baking; schools have lots of kids who love cupcakes.

• Decorate the school with the posters you receive in your Cupcake Host Welcome Package. 

• Dress up as your favourite animal or your favourite cupcake flavour. 

• Hold a competition with an entry fee of a loonie or toonie to see who bakes and decorates the most unique cupcake.

• Have a taste-off with the teachers as judges – or maybe the students could judge the teachers’ baking skills!

At the BC SPCA we are dedicated to improving the lives of all animals. One way we do this is by leading advocacy campaigns to engage the public in issues in which change is needed – often in the area of farm animal welfare.

Current BC SPCA farm animal advocacy campaigns give the public the opportunity for input on changes to the Canadian Codes of Practice for farm animals, horse slaughter, rodeos, farm animal transport, pig farming and Foie Gras. Learn more about these issues to discuss with your class, including action steps students can take to make a difference.

The BC SPCA has classroom resources for grades K-7. The lessons integrate animal issues and information into existing provincial learning outcomes. Bite Free is on the recommended resource list for Health and Career Planning for grades K-5. 

Click on a lesson plan below to learn more.

Kindness Counts
(for K- Gr. 2)

Companions for Life
(Gr. 3-5)

You Can Make a Difference
(Gr. 5-7)

  Cluck - The life of an egg-laying hen (Gr. 4-6)

  Bite Free (K - Gr. 5)

We would love to know what you think of our e-Teacher newsletter.

Do you use it regularly?
Is there a topic you would like us to cover?
Do you share this
with others? Did you learn
something new?

Please email us your
questions and comments.

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
 - Unsubscribe (we're sorry to see you go!)

Please do not reply to this email, as it is for distribution purposes only. If you have comments or questions about this newsletter or related information, please email Paula Neuman, Humane Education Supervisor.

On behalf of all the animals we care for and protect, thank you for your support.

spca.bc.ca