From The National Humane
Education Society
July 2013
The hardest part of humane education is getting started. Below are some of the lesson plans we use in the classroom. If you are a budding educator, print these out and use them to get on the right track.
Feel free to build upon these ideas with your own. Everyone has his or her own style and you will need to find yours. If you share these lessons with others, please leave our logo and information in the header and footer. Check back periodically for updates.
Animal Cruelty
Happily Ever After Plays
Using theater, students will show how people can change thier behavior to
help animals. Also download the accompanying handouts file.
Audience age: 2nd-5th grade
Audience size: 4-20 students
Download PDF
Kind vs. Cruel: Build reading fluency while discussing which actions are
kind toward animals and which are cruel.
Audience age: Pre-school-5th grade
Audience size: Any
Download: PDF
Animal Safety
Proper Way to Meet a Dog: With the help of a friendly dog, demonstrate
the safe way to approach an unfamiliar dog.
Audience age: Pre-school-5th grade
Audience size: Any
Download: PDF
The Dangers of Hot Cars: Students will use the scientific method while
baking dog treats in a vehicle in order to identify the dangers of leaving
both pets and humans in hot cars. Please download both the lesson plan and
handout, which contain the dog treat recipe and instructions for baking.
Audience age: 2nd-7th grade
Audience size: Up to 25 students
Download PDF
Careers
Animal Career Fashion Show: Students dress up in the garb of various careers
that help animals. Use of props shows how animals are helped.
Audience age: Pre-school-5th grade
Audience size: Any
Download: PDF
Companion Animals
Adoptable Dog Portraits: Use visual art to help to feature local dogs
that need a home. This service learning lesson can be adapted to other
adoptable animals, too.
Audience age: 2nd grade-12th grade
Audience size: Up to 20 students
Download: PDF
Mystery Pet Box: Review the basic needs of a pet and compare those to the
needs of a human.
Audience age: Pre-school-5th grade
Audience size: Any
Download: PDF
Ethics
Introduction to Vegetarian/Vegan Eating: Introduce adults to the world of
vegetarian/vegan eating and the implications for animals, the planet, and
human health. Please download both the lesson plan and the accompanying
handout.
Audience age: High school to adult
Audience size: 15-20 students
Download: PDF
Moral and Ethical Responsibility to Animals: Help participants identify
and change their own biases toward specific species of animals.
Audience age: High school to adult, ideally adults working in a shelter
environment
Audience size: 15-20 students
Download: PDF
Wildlife
Migration Game: Explore how human development encroaches upon the
migratory patterns of wild birds.
Audience age: Pre-school-8th grade
Audience size: Any
Download: PDF
Natural Bird Feeder: Build a quick and easy natural bird feeder to hang
outside.
Audience age: Pre-school-5th grade
Audience size: Up to 30 students
Download: PDF