AnimalSmart™ Primary Presentations
(Grades 1-3)
Theme 1: What if Animals Ruled the World? – Why caring for animals matters.
Content:
Have your students ever wondered if animals could speak? What would they ask for? In our Theme 1 presentation, your group will take a deep dive into learning how to care for and understand an animal’s well-being overall. Focusing on empathy towards animals and how important it is to keep them happy and healthy.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of Theme One, Animal Care, primary students will be able to:
- Understand the importance of their local Ontario SPCA and Humane Society and
how they support animals in their community - Share basic examples of what animals need to feel safe, happy, healthy, and loved
- Draw ways they can support companion animals
- Promote responsible actions to be an animal advocate
Curriculum Connections:
- Social-emotional learning skills
- Transferable literacy skills
- Broader curriculum connections to social studies & science
Theme 2: Animals Have Feelings Too – Understanding our companion friends.
Content:
Animals have emotions too, but how do they tell us how they feel? In our Theme 2 presentation, your group will explore the different ways animals communicate with us to tell us how they feel. We begin by focusing on our own emotions and tying them to how our animal friends would show us the same emotion. Relating animal emotions to their own, students will foster empathy and understanding towards animals.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of Theme Two, Animal Feelings, primary students will be able to:
- Understand the importance of their local Ontario SPCA and Humane Society and
how they support animals in their community - Recognize how animals express their emotions through body language, sounds, and
behaviours - Explore similarities between how animals and humans experience and express
feelings - Improve their relationship skills by understanding how trust is built through
consistent, kind actions-whether with animals or friends - Understand that animals’ emotional well-being is as important as their physical well-being and become advocates for their care
Curriculum Connections:
- Social-emotional learning skills
- Transferable literacy skills
- Broader curriculum connections to social sciences and science
Theme 3: Awesome Animals in Our Community – How to care, share and play safely.
Content:
In this fun and engaging presentation, kids will learn about the helpful community programs offered by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society beyond pet adoptions, explore various pet services in our community like pet stores and vet offices focusing on all the ways they support healthy animals, and understand how to safely interact with animals they encounter in public. This “choose your own adventure” style presentation takes students through group discussions, games and moments of reflection as a way to inspire a love for animals and teach important safety tips for young animal lovers.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of Theme Three, Animals in our Community, primary students will be able to:
- Identify organizations or services in their community that support companion animals
- Understand the direct positive impact the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has on
their community - Practice safe habits/actions for approaching unfamiliar animals in their community
- Identify companion animal body language and how to respect their boundaries
- Identify how companion animals communicate with humans
- Promote responsible actions to be an animal advocate
Curriculum Connections:
- Social-emotional learning skills
- Transferable literacy skills
- Broader curriculum connections to social sciences