Pint-Sized Pets: The Science of Small Pets

Classroom Links: Biology

Clever Containers (page 5)

Classroom Links: Science, Engineering, Math

This article tells the story of a redesigned milk container that saves energy and resources in shipping and storage. These savings are primarily because the containers are square and not round. Similarly, some brands of frozen juice concentrate are now using square-based containers, instead of ones with round bases.

Activity: To demonstrate how square jugs save energy by maximizing space in storage and shipping, have students see first how many square blocks and then how many round blocks they can fit in a small container (e.g., a chocolate box).

Activity: Hold an “invention convention” in your classroom to see if students can design new packaging for common household items. Bring several food items in their packages and containers into the classroom. Discuss the purpose of packaging with the students (food safety, convenience, to protect the item during transport, etc.). Have students discuss the pros and cons of each package type. Students can then sketch their own, re-designed container. Or, bring in a food item and have students design an appropriate package that protects the food, but also minimizes the use of resources.

Hard Facts about Concrete Trucks (page 6)

Classroom Links: Science

The large screw inside concrete trucks works like an Archimedes Screw. The rotating screw moves items, such as water, grain, or concrete, forward or backward depending on the direction in which the screw is rotating. Students can see an animation of how an Archimedes Screw works here.

Your Bones (page 7)

Classroom Links: Science, Health, P.E.

Weight-bearing exercise is best for bone health. This type of exercise stimulates the formation of new bone tissue, making bones stronger. Weight-bearing exercise also strengthens muscles, which push and pull against the bones.

Activity: Skip for Bone Health! For PE, teach skipping games or other weight-bearing playground games, such as hopscotch. You can find more ideas at Healthy Hopping or in books such as Let’s Play by Camilla Gryski, Schoolyard Rhymes by Judy Sierra or The Jump Rope Book by Elizabeth Loredo.

Activity: Have students create a poster (or other presentation, such as Power Point or video) on bone health. Include ideas for exercise, diet, and bone safety (e.g., wearing helmets and other safety equipment).

Theme Section:
Pint-Sized Pets (page 9 - 13)

Classroom Links: Science, Language Arts, Art

Activity: Prepare a chart like this (or adapt with your own headings).

Ensure that you leave enough space in the chart for students to write. As students read through the information on each pet, have them make short notes (in point form) in the column below the appropriate heading.

After they have completed the chart, have students describe the pet they think they’d enjoy most. The articles Before You Buy (page 16) and The Furry Friend Finder (page 18) provide more tips on choosing a pet to match the realities in a child’s home.

Feathers and Fins (page 14 - 15)

Classroom Links: Science, Art

Activity: After the students have read one or both pages, have them design an ideal birdcage or fish tank. Ensure they explain how large the cage is and include a plan for a regular cleaning route. More information on birdcages can be found here.

Feathers and Fins (page 17)

Classroom Links: Biology

Activity: Invite an avid bird watcher into the classroom or on a class field trip. (Even a visit to watch the birds at a nearby feeder would be fine.) Using field guides and, if necessary, binoculars, help students identify a few bird species in your community. Go to the Cornell Ornithology Lab to listen to the call of those species.