Lesson 4: Health
This lesson will explore how the health needs of animals are met. Watch the ‘Five Needs of Animals – Health’ (4:22) video. There are two video options for this lesson: Interactive or Normal. The interactive version has questions built into the video that students answer as they watch. You can watch as a class and answer together, or have students watch the video on their own/in small groups and answer the questions individually. The normal version is just the video and has no questions.
Post-Video Discussion Questions
- What does prevention mean? What are things we do on a daily basis that prevents us from experiencing injury or disease? Wearing a seat belt, washing our hands, looking both ways before crossing the street, practicing fire drills, wearing a bike helmet, eating healthy foods, getting vaccinated, etc.
- What are things we do for our pets and farm animals that help them to stay safe and healthy? Keepings dogs on a leash or in a fenced yard, keeping farm animals in a fenced area, keeping cats indoors, scooping the kitty litter, using safe toys, regular brushing and grooming, ensuring vaccines are up-to-date, visiting the vet, etc.
- If you notice that your pet seems to be in pain or unwell, what would you do? Tell an adult! Explain to them why you think your animal might not be feeling well.
- Sometimes people don’t like going to the doctor or dentist. What could be done to make going to the doctor or dentist more enjoyable?
- Sometimes animals don’t like to be brushed or groomed. What can people do to make being brushed or groomed less stressful and more enjoyable? Reward good/calm behaviour, take lots of breaks, speak quietly, give lots of praise, handle the animal gently, make grooming a positive experience.
- Do you think it would be more difficult to be a veterinarian for animals or a doctor for people? Explain.
Post-Video Activities
1. Healthy Habits
As a class, go over the Healthy Habits Activity Slides. Discuss why each healthy habit displayed in the photo is important for a person’s health. Then discuss if dogs and cats need to have the same needs met, and if so, how? Then individually or in pairs, have students create a ‘Healthy Habits for Pets’ poster that explains some health needs of a specific pet. Hang the posters in the classroom or in the school hallways to help spread the message!
2. Jobs with Animals
There are many different jobs that involve working with animals. Some examples are veterinarians, groomers, animal biologists, trainers, etc. As a class, brainstorm a list of different jobs that involve animals. Then have students pick a job they find interesting! Have students research the career they chose to discover answers to the questions below. Students can create a poster or a presentation to share with the class.
- What does this person do?
- What kinds of animals do they work with?
- What special training do they need?
- How does this person help meet the needs of animals?
- How do my personal interests, skills, and knowledge relate to this job?
Curriculum Connections
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 4-4 Demonstrate positive attitudes for the study of science and for the application of science in responsible ways.
- Specific Learner Expectations: Students will show growth in acquiring and applying the following traits:
- a sense of responsibility for actions taken
- respect for living things and commitment for their care
Health and Life Skills
PERSONAL HEALTH
- Students will:
- W-4.1 explore the connections among physical activity, emotional wellness and social wellness
LIFEROLES AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
- Students will:
- L-4.5 relate personal interests to various occupations
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 5-4 Demonstrate positive attitudes for the study of science and for the application of science in responsible ways.
- Specific Learner Expectations: Students will show growth in acquiring and applying the following traits:
- a sense of responsibility for actions taken
- respect for living things and commitment for their care
Health and Life Skills
PERSONAL HEALTH
- Students will:
- W-5.1 examine the impact of physical activity, nutrition, rest and immunization of the immune system
LIFEROLES AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
- Students will:
- L-5.5 relate personal skills to various occupations
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 6-4 Demonstrate positive attitudes for the study of science and for the application of science in responsible ways.
- Specific Learner Expectations: Students will show growth in acquiring and applying the following traits:
- a sense of responsibility for actions taken
- respect for living things and commitment for their care
Health and Life Skills
PERSONAL HEALTH
- Students will:
- W-6.1 evaluate the need for balance and variety in daily activities that promote personal health
LIFEROLES AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
- Students will:
- L-6.5 relate knowledge, skills and attitudes of a successful student to those of successful workers
