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Class Pets Teach Life Lessons

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT sschmidt@mediageneral.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 27, 2009

A teacher at Colleen Bevis Elementary School said she has found a great way to keep her students interested in learning the tougher subjects like math and life science.

Leigh Crosson, fifth-grade teacher, said she has three class pets including a Mini Rex rabbit named Barnaby, an African Sulcatta tortoise named Timmy and a corn snake named Silky.

"It makes the class a little bit more interesting," Crosson said. "I think it helps to make the classroom friendlier and teaches the children good lessons like the difference between reptiles and warm-blooded animals."
Crosson said her students have learned about the life cycle of different animals and how different types of animals are born as well as a little math.

When Timmy was smaller, Crosson said she used to let the students volunteer to take him home over the weekend. More than half the class took the opportunity like students Chloe Symonds, 10, and Katie Battershell, 10. Battershell said she took Timmy home and had to clean up after him and feed him, which taught her a lot about responsibility.

"I have learned what different types of food they eat," Symonds said. "We are the only class in the school that has class pets so it is fun. I will miss this class next year."

In addition to teaching students lessons, the class pets also provide learning incentives for the students.

"When the students have finished their work early they can go and play with Barnaby," Crosson said. "He is used to people and being handled, so he is a good bunny for the students to play with."

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