Are You Ready for Me? walks the reader through the responsibilities of owning a dog. Learning about and recognizing the value of responsibility can empower students to make good choices for themselves and consider how their actions affect others, animals and the
environment. While learning about the responsibilities of owning a dog is crucial for dogs as they rely on people to meet their needs, it is also important for children as they can take what they have learned and apply it to different aspects of their life, even if they do not have a pet.
Why use this book?
- Deciding to adopt a pet is a big decision that requires much thought and consideration
- Learning about the physical and emotional needs of animals helps to prepare people for the commitment required to take on a pet
Ask your students:
- Do you think it is a lot of work to take good care of a pet? Why? Pets depend on people to meet their needs.
- How will the families know if they are ready to get a pet?
- In the story, the dog says if you cannot do all the things to take care of a dog, that it is OK not to get a dog. What can you do instead of getting a dog? Visit a friend who has a dog, read books/watch videos about dogs, offer to walk a neighbor’s dog (if familiar with the dog), etc.
- Are some pets easier to care for than others? Why do you think so? All pets have the same needs, but the way those needs are met is specific to the type of pet. Some pets like fish, birds, and reptiles can appear easier to care for than others, but in reality their needs can also be challenging to meet.
Activities:
- What Dogs Need – All living things have basic needs. As a class, brainstorm the needs of people. Nutritious food, clean water, a warm home, proper clothing, exercise, family/friends, visits to the doctor, and love. Then, brainstorm the needs of pets. Do pets and people need similar things? Next, students can use the What Dogs Need Activity Sheet to list or draw the basic needs of dogs. Species specific food, clean water, appropriate shelter, veterinary care, play and exercise.
Are You Ready for Me? is part of the AnimalTales program. Above, is a small selection of the discussion questions and activities that can be found in the Kindergarten Teacher’s Guide. For additional discussion questions and activities request the FREE book-lending program for your class.
Additional Resources Related to Book:
- Life with Louis (1:30) – a short video that covers the responsibilities of being a dog owner.
