Rabbits in the classroom

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BioQ201

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What are all of your opinions on rabbits in theclassroom? Would the animals be in danger or do they do well withchildren? Does anyone have experience with keeping rabbits as classroompets and would like to offer advice, it would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks!


 
Check this out (HRS's philosophy):

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/classroom.html

- Rabbits are often seen as a low-maintenance pet or teachingtool. Sadly, many people’s perception of what rabbits are like is basedon erroneous assumptions and experience with neglected classroom orbackyard pets.

- It’s common to see rabbits sitting all day (and night) in smallclassroom cages. True, unlike many species, rabbits can endure such alife quietly for a surprisingly long time. But rabbits need exerciseand stimulation to maintain health, good spirits, and normal behavior.A constantly caged rabbit becomes withdrawn and aggressive, resultingin symptoms such as lethargy, unresponsiveness, obesity, or neuroticbehaviors.

- Within a few years, most rabbits confined in such a setting becomeill and die. That’s not a normal life span. With proper care, domesticrabbits can live 8-12 years or longer.

- If no one makes a significant investment of time, attention, and careof a classroom rabbit, the result is a withdrawn animal who does nothave much to give back to the students. Regardless of what teachers orparents believe about the care of a classroom animal, what do suchpractices show students about the value of living beings?

- Shelters are overflowing because of the common perception of animalsas objects to be passed around, cared for only when it’s convenient forpeople to do so, then abandoned when they become too much of a bother.

- On the other hand, a classroom rabbit can help children learn to beresponsible pet owners. Your students can learn valuable lessons frominteracting with a rabbit (or neutered pair) who run free among them:

* Animals have individual personalities and preferences.
* Animal languages are different from one another.
* Each animal species requires different behaviors on the part ofhumans who want to befriend them. What a dog may regard as a playfuloverture may be regarded very differently by a rabbit.
* Responsible pet ownership means meeting the animal’s needs, even whenit’s inconvenient. Cleaning, training, and "bunny-proofing" are timeconsuming, but they are part of the commitment a pet owner should make.
Click to expand...
 
One of the biggest problems our local school hadwith rabbits in the classroom years ago was the fact that it was toohot, although I would imagine that most schools now have climatecontrol (air).

m.e.'s post brought up some excellent points, showing that there should be much thought put into having a pet in the classroom.

Pam
 
Yeah, we had guinea pigs in fourth grade. Untilsome kids accidently dropped her and broke her leg :X That was it forclassroom pets at my school :(

My brother and sister are homeschooled, though, so they get lots ofclassroom pets :) It is amazing the effect an animal can have to makeyou more relaxed.
 
When I taught second grade I had several classroom pets. We had a Pacman Frog. We had mice. We had a mini rex rabbit named Tia.

Tia was one of the best things to happen to my second grade class. Shelived in a roomy cage in a cozy little science corner. The studentsadored her. Every day, a student was chosen to carefully measure herfood and feed her. Every day she got fresh water and hay. Students tookturns cleaning her cage every other day. During class work periods, Tiawas allowed to hop around the bunny-proofed classroom. My studentslearned to walk softly and carefully. They learned not to raise theirvoices in the classroom, so they wouldn't scare the animals. Theyeagerly took turns with my little cordless dust-buster to clean upTia's "mistakes."

It takes a lot of patience to have a classroom pet. I've worked in aschool that had a cat as the Library Pet (his name was Dewey---for theDewey Decimal system). If you do it right, it is a valuable experiencefor the students. My students learned patience, nurturing, kindness andresponsibility. I think this, like so many other things, will depend onthe time and effort one is willing to put into it. Don't jump tocondemn it too fast, but realize the work that needs to be done for itto be successful.
 
When I was a child,and now as an adult, I've rarely seen kids as excited about learning asthey are when it involves animals. Somehow, if it's done properly, youcanteach nearly any life lesson to a child with an animal. Ithink Elf Mommy's classroom sounds fabulous! How I would have loved tohave been a child in that class! Naturally, you always have a demonchild here and there that feels compelled to do nasty things to thepet. But you can open up a heart in those kids with animals in a waythat you could never get to them otherwise. Have you all seen thatspecial on prisoners and shelter dogs? Good example of what I'mspeaking of.

Raspberry
 
Mr. Peabodyis a former classroombunny. He is afraid of nothing and is actually very gentlewith my children here at home. Brooke handles him quite oftenand he seems not to mind it. The teacher that had him decidedthat it was getting to be to much and that Peabody was getting older heshould get the chance to just be pampered. My sister-in-lawtook him in (she has 3 rabbits herself)so when she found outI was looking for one for Brooke she figured he would be a great firstrabbit for her.
 
If there had been any rabbits in any school i'veever been to they would have suffered and died. As it were, I rememberthere used to be some fish - poisoned by soap.
 
In my senior year of high school I volunteeredfor a Kindergarten class that hada Guinea Pig. I was reallyquite surprised by how well taken care of he was and how big his cagewas. The teacher did most of the care for him or if she was real busyshe would have me or my friend do it. Towards the end of the year shestarted letting some lof the kids help feed him, but they were alwayssupervised. I was amazed how well the Guinea Pig did in thatenvironment, he gladly came out to interact with the kids and the kidswere careful not to overwhelm him, but they had to be taught. I thinkthat's the best thing about having animals in the classroom. Teachingkids how to respect just one animal is something they'll take with themfor the rest of their lives, and will affect all the animals they everencounter. Likewise, an animal that is not taken care of in theclassroom will teach kids disrespect. My son just started Kindergartenthis year and I was disapointed because they don't allow animals thereat all because of allergies. I have a pair of lovebirds that I just setup for breeding. I'm going to have my son keep a journal on them so hecan take it in to school after the babies a grown up. I may also dosomething on Mr. Wiggles to show how his hair is harvested and turnedinto something you can use. I'll make sure everything is in ziplocbaggies though so he doesn't get in trouble ;)

Megan
 
My 5 year old made a Spider Man pillow andstuffed it with wool from his Angora. We mixed the wool withfiber fill as the wool has a tendency to clump.

Pam
 
I think, like everyone else here, that it wouldtake some careful consideration. When I was in grade 3 (I think it wasthat grade anyway), we had a guinea pig and it was great.
 
They don't allow pets in our schools...:?Though I really wish they did and I think it's a greatidea! My sister's class had a hamster once and there's a whole storybehind what happened then. Maybe I'll fill you in when it isn't before7:00 am lol.
 
I'm under the assumption that the children wouldactually be doing something in public school besides just standingtherewith nothing better to do than torment their classpet-- although sometimes I do have to wonder . . .

Pam
 
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