DOG BISCUIT DAY

February 23rd is a big day if you are a dog because it's INTERNATIONAL DOG BISCUIT APPRECIATION DAY. Buzzie (the love of our lives) is going to get some special treats today!

Hint! Some of these activities would be perfect to share with your families who are dog lovers.

Woof! Woof! Game
Make a “Woof! Woof” game. Cut out dog bones and write sight words, math facts, letters, etc. on them. On a few write “Woof! Woof!” Pass the box around and let each child pull out a bone and identify the information. If they select “Woof! Woof!” they have to get down on the floor on all fours and bark like a dog. (They love it!)
*You could even do this virtually, but you'd have to pull out the bones for the children as you rotate around the screen.



Math Manipulatives
Use the dog biscuits for math activities. Add, subtract, make sets, sort… This dog dish with two sections is perfect for tens and ones or onsets and rimes.

Who Let the Letters Out?
Place letters in a dog dish or empty box of dog biscuits. Pull out one letter at a time as you chant:
Who let the D out?
/d/ /d/ /d/ /d/ /d/


Our Pets
Make a book about pets. Cut the front and back off the box and cut paper the size of the box. Give each child a sheet of paper so they can draw a picture of their pet and write or dictate a sentence about it. (If they don’t have a pet they can draw a picture of a pet they would like to have.) Put their pictures between the covers of the box, hole punch, and you’re ready to read.

Puppy Chow Snack
This may not be the healthiest snack, but kids sure would get a kick out of it.

Ingredients:
9 cups Rice Chex™, Corn Chex™ or Chocolate Chex™ cereal (or combination)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Measure cereal and set aside.
In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

DOG BISCUIT DAY

I'm not making this up, but this really is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. A box of dog biscuits and you're set for math, reading, and writing!

Woof! Woof! Game
Cut out dog bones and write sight words, math facts, letters, etc. on them. On a few write “Woof! Woof!” Pass the box around and let each child pull out a bone and identify the information. If they select “Woof! Woof!” they have to get down on the floor on all fours and bark like a dog. (I know it's stupid, but the kids love it!)

Use the dog biscuits for math activities. Add, subtract, make sets, sort… This dog dish with two sections is perfect for tens and ones.

Make a book about pets. Cut the front and back off the box and cut paper the size of the box. Give each child a sheet of paper so they can draw a picture of their pet and write or dictate a sentence about it. Put their pictures between the covers of the box, hole punch, and you’re ready to read.

Hint! If they don't have a pet they can draw a picture of a pet that they would like to have.

P.S. I’m fascinated by the names people give their dogs like “Heredog” (Here-dog!) and Boozer (St. Bernard). How about Peanut (little Yorkie) or the mascot from your favorite team like Buzzie (our dog named after GA Tech's mascot Buzz). What’s your dog’s name?

PET DAY

National Pet Day was founded to celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives and to raise awareness about the many pets needing a home.

If you are an animal lover like I am you are going to be THRILLED to learn about TAILS THAT TEACH! You can get a free teacher kit with books, a stuffed animal, and learning activities. I'm so excited to share this special program with you!!!

                
 

Non-profit organization Tails That Teach educates young children about kindness, compassion, and empathy by bridging the connection between people and animals through its captivating books, Love Me Gently and Gray Whiskers written by founder, Lisa Wiehebrink. These books parallel the needs of pets and people and offer age-appropriate lessons for proper care and safety. They are ideal for grades K-2 and provided at no cost to elementary schools to supplement character education and promote literacy.

The organization’s goal is empower the next generation to make good choices and to respectfully care for pets and people. Teaching kids to properly care for pets helps them grow up to be compassionate adults and responsible pet owners. By fostering the human-animal bond, children learn caring connections toward all living beings simply by observing how their actions directly impact others. Studies prove that children who are taught to be kind to animals often limits bullying and other abuse. Children are inspired as they observe how small acts of kindness toward peers and pets can make the world a better place for all. 

Children have a special relationship with pets. Younger children are just beginning to learn about themselves and their world and they are fascinated by the response they receive from animals. Caring for a pet gives children a sense of empowerment when they are caring for another living being. This sense of empowerment turns into compassion and children are able to manifest that compassion toward other human beings. Children who live with pets in their home seem to make that transition more easily than those children who have no interaction with animals.            

Children also develop social skills from talking to and playing with pets. They learn what unconditional love feels like and they have a companion that they can talk to and tell secrets to. They are able to learn basic effective social interaction skills and what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Pets respond to emotional cues and can teach children to respond appropriately and show compassion for those who need it.

In addition to free book donations, Tails That Teach also provides the Adventures with Cooper Kit to teachers. This kit is provided to teachers for a unique expansion activity to teach kindness and inspire students to act with compassion and empathy toward pets and peers. Included in the reusable canvas tote bag is a set of our books, a stuffed plush dog, and journal. Students take turns bringing the kit home so they may read, write, and even draw about their adventures while learning responsibility and kind care. Classroom teachers across the country have reported improved critical thinking, decreases in bullying behaviors and overall increases in morale at schools where these and other programs are being used. Early education and literacy are key!

For more information about Tails That Teach, please visit www.tailsthatteach.org.

DOG BISCUIT DAY

Bet you didn't know that February 23rd was International Dog Biscuit Day!  Let's see how we can recycle a box of dog biscuits in our classroom this week.

Woof!  Woof!
Make a “Woof! Woof” game. Cut out dog bones and write sight words, math facts, letters, etc. on them. On a few write “Woof! Woof!” Pass the box around and let each child pull out a bone and identify the information. If they select “Woof! Woof!” they have to get down on the floor on all fours and bark like a dog. (They love it!) 

                             

Dog Biscuit Math
Use the dog biscuits for math activities. Add, subtract, make sets, sort… This dog dish with two sections is perfect for tens and ones.


Who Let the Letters Out?
Place letters in a dog dish or empty box of dog biscuits. Children reach in
and pull out one letter at a time as you chant:
Who let the D out?
/d/ /d/ /d/ /d/ /d/
                                                                  

Our Pets
Make a book about pets. Cut the front and back off the box and cut paper the size of the box. Give each child a sheet of paper so they can draw a picture of their pet and write or dictate a sentence about it. (If they don’t have a pet they can draw a picture of a pet they would like to have.) Put their pictures between the covers of the box, hole punch, and you’re ready to read. 

                                 

Dog Food (O.K.  I know this isn't healthy, but its such fun!!!)
You will need:
12 oz. bag chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
1 stick butter
10-12 oz. box Multi-Bran Chex Cereal
powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Melt the first three ingredients in a pan over low heat.
3. Pour the mixture over the Chex cereal and mix until coated.
4. Put 2 paper grocery sacks together, one inside the other.
Pour ½ cup powdered sugar into the bottom of the bag.
Pour in the cereal mixture, close the bag, and shake.
Keep checking and adding powdered sugar until the mixture
looks like dog food.

For fun, serve in a clean dog food bowl!

TAILS THAT TEACH

If you are an animal lover like I am you are going to be THRILLED to learn about TAILS THAT TEACH!  You can get a free teacher kit with books, a stuffed animal, and learning activities.  I'm so excited to share this special program with you!!!

 

Non-profit organization Tails That Teach educates young children about kindness, compassion, and empathy by bridging the connection between people and animals through its captivating books, Love Me Gently and Gray Whiskers written by founder, Lisa Wiehebrink. These books parallel the needs of pets and people and offer age-appropriate lessons for proper care and safety. They are ideal for grades K-2 and provided at no cost to elementary schools to supplement character education and promote literacy.

The organization’s goal is empower the next generation to make good choices and to respectfully care for pets and people. Teaching kids to properly care for pets helps them grow up to be compassionate adults and responsible pet owners.  By fostering the human-animal bond, children learn caring connections toward all living beings simply by observing how their actions directly impact others. Studies prove that children who are taught to be kind to animals often limits bullying and other abuse. Children are inspired as they observe how small acts of kindness toward peers and pets can make the world a better place for all.

Children have a special relationship with pets.  Younger children are just beginning to learn about themselves and their world and they are fascinated by the response they receive from animals.  Caring for a pet gives children a sense of empowerment when they are caring for another living being.  This sense of empowerment turns into compassion and children are able to manifest that compassion toward other human beings.  Children who live with pets in their home seem to make that transition more easily than those children who have no interaction with animals.

Children also develop social skills from talking to and playing with pets. They learn what unconditional love feels like and they have a companion that they can talk to and tell secrets to.  They are able to learn basic effective social interaction skills and what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior.  Pets respond to emotional cues and can teach children to respond appropriately and show compassion for those who need it.

In addition to free book donations, Tails That Teach also provides the Adventures with Cooper Kit to teachers.  This kit is provided to teachers for a unique expansion activity to teach kindness and inspire students to act with compassion and empathy toward pets and peers. Included in the reusable canvas tote bag is a set of our books, a stuffed plush dog, and journal.  Students take turns bringing the kit home so they may read, write, and even draw about their adventures while learning responsibility and kind care. Classroom teachers across the country have reported improved critical thinking, decreases in bullying behaviors and overall increases in morale at schools where these and other programs are being used.  Early education and literacy are key!

For more information about Tails That Teach, please visit www.tailsthatteach.org.