Kids 4 Critters: Teaching Responsibility Toward Animals

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Kids 4 Critters program was created in 2014 and is a 6 week long curriculum which is taught one hour a week to 4th graders in a county school setting. Kids 4 Critters incorporates community awareness, community service, character building and responsible pet ownership. The program was developed in partnership with the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) and uses the data from the animal center in the lessons. The first offering of this program was held in January 2015 at Northwoods Elementary School in Cary, North Carolina. The course aligns with Wake County’s vision for 4th grade learning as well as encompasses 21st Century Learning. Students create artwork and essays which showcase course content. Works are displayed at WCAC and at schools and regional libraries. WCAC developed a 4 ½ minute video that highlights the work done at the animal center that is shown on the last day of the program. At the end of the program, all of the kids recite an Oath and receive a certificate for participation in the program. To date, Kids 4 Critters has been offered in three schools in Wake County, to a total of fourteen 4th grade classes, has grown to 14 dedicated volunteers to teach the course and has been offered annually at the Northwoods Elementary School since the pilot program in 2015. Kids are the key to teaching responsibility towards animals and Kids 4 Critters is a well-rounded, integrative program that does just that.