With the start of another school year, the BC SPCA is ready to help educators bring animal welfare into their classrooms.
“We know a lot of teachers are interested in incorporating animal welfare into their curriculum, but maybe don’t have a broad knowledge themselves or aren’t sure how to do so while still satisfying prescribed learning outcomes set out by the B.C. Ministry of Education,” says Paula Neuman, humane education manager for the BC SPCA. “We want to support teachers in offering these important learning opportunities.”
In order to provide that support, Neuman – a former teacher herself now with the BC SPCA for 13 years – has developed a wide range of resources. Each grade-specific curriculum unit focuses on different subject matter, including empathy, social justice, farm animals, dog bite prevention and advocacy. Most recently added, for grades 3 to 7, is Cat Overpopulation: A Community Problem We Can ‘Fix’, a volume of four BC SPCA lessons in science, social studies, math and language arts.
To enhance the objectives of each lesson, the BC SPCA also offers classroom presentations. “Teachers can invite one of our volunteer humane educators for an engaging, tactile presentation,” says Neuman. “We’re often able to offer the presence of a temperament-tested dog, as well, when available.”
In addition to classroom teaching, many of B.C.’s dedicated educators also engage in extra-curricular activities. “Teachers with students keen to help animals may be interested in starting a BC SPCA school club,” says Neuman, noting that clubs often empower kids to take on issues and become leaders. “While a teacher is there to supervise, it’s really about the students and how they want to work together to make a difference for animals.”
Educators can visit the BC SPCA website to request curriculum units or arrange for a school presentation. The BC SPCA school club manual is also available online. New clubs are asked contact Paula Neuman to register and make arrangements for a BC SPCA guest speaker to visit their school for a club kick-off.
For more information on all BC SPCA school programs, please visit spca.bc.ca/school.
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a not-for-profit organization reliant on public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C.