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 every day that prevents us from getting hurt or sick? 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 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 Activity
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?
Curriculum Connections
Science
General Learner Expectations: The child demonstrates curiosity, interest and a willingness to learn about the environment and community.
- Specific Learning Expectations: The child:
- shows awareness of similarities and differences in living things, objects and materials
- becomes aware of the relationship between cause and effect
General Learner Expectations: The child explores familiar places and things in the environment and community
- Specific Learner Expectations: The child:
- recognizes familiar animals and their characteristics and surroundings; e.g., farm and zoo
Health and Life Skills
PERSONAL HEALTH
- Students will:
- W-K.2 identify and use positive hygiene and health care habits
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 1-4 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
- Topic E: Needs of Plants and Animals
- General Learner Expectation: Students will:
- 1-11 Describe some common living things, and identify needs of those living things.
- Specific Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 1. Observe describe and compare living things.
- 6. Identify the requirements of animals to maintain life; i.e., air, food water, shelter, space; and recognize that we must provide these for animals in our care.
- General Learner Expectation: Students will:
Language Arts
1.1 Discover and Explore
Express ideas and develop understanding
- Talk with others about something recently learned
- Make observations about activities, experiences with oral, print and other texts
Health and Life Skills
PERSONAL HEALTH
- Students will:
- W-1.2 demonstrate positive hygiene and health care habits
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 2-4 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-2.2 examine the need for positive health habits
Science
- General Learner Expectations: Students will:
- 3-4 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-3.2 improve and practise positive health habits
