Animals + Interest = Engaging Inquiry

Using classroom pets to collect authentic data which can be organized into tables and graphs is something that will motivate nearly every student. Although you may not have 4 hamsters in you... See More

Using classroom pets to collect authentic data which can be organized into tables and graphs is something that will motivate nearly every student. Although you may not have 4 hamsters in your classroom to conduct the activities in this article, the breadth of activities described will encourage you to seek alternative "test subjects" that could include easy to care for organisms such as hermit crabs. Data is depicted in numerous graphs and tables that will further stimulate your creativity.

Pet In the Classroom to Support Inquiry

This article describes how students using their powers of observations, data collection and assessment of data can observe a group of dwarf hamsters in the classroom over a period of time. ... See More

This article describes how students using their powers of observations, data collection and assessment of data can observe a group of dwarf hamsters in the classroom over a period of time. This article provides the information necessary to facilitate this experience for students. The information includes habitat, equipment needs, processes and photos to help students successfully and harmlessly learn about these adorable creatures while engaging in a real experiment in a familiar classroom setting.