Why we are teaching this course / the effect of humans on animals in our community / Wake County’s main problem concerning unwanted and homeless animals / what is a shelter / types of shelters/ pet profiles of animals who find themselves in the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) / identification of reasons animals find themselves in WCAC and what we can do to alleviate situation / review of lesson through Reflect, Respond, Respect= Rewards organizer. 

Quick review / pet overpopulation / benefits of having pets spayed or neutered / activity to illustrate problems of overpopulation / euthanasia---what is it and why? / Math component dealing with number of animals who find themselves at the WCAC / when should I get a pet? / what do I need to think about before getting a pet?  Estimate the cost of caring for a pet / Review of lesson with Organizer sheets.

Quick review  / How do I care for a pet? / What are the most important things we can do to protect our pets and keep them safe? / Discussion of toxins to our pets/ what to do if you see an animal being harmed / Essay contest---prepare students to write an original essay to be turned in at the beginning of Lesson 5.  Organizer sheets are completed in class.

Quick review / Discussion of what it means to be safe / Discussion of dog bites, why they happen and how to avoid them / Understanding dog and cat “language” and how to recognize signals and other communication from our pets indicating they are feeling discomfort and/or stress / How do we greet a dog with whom we are unfamiliar?  Organizer sheets.

Quick review / Essays collected / More on how to stay safe around dogs / Insights about preventing dog bites / How do we greet a dog with whom we are unfamiliar? / Discussion of how dogs and cats learn / How to most effectively teach our pets / Cats can be trained too / Seven useful lessons to teach our canine companions / What are rewards? / What are the rewards of pet ownership?  Discuss animals that do not make good pets and why / Students may have the opportunity to practice properly greeting certified therapy dogs.

Review of lessons 1-5 through in a game / More on the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) / Guest speaker with mascot / Recognition of student who wrote the strongest essay / What is an oath?  / Practice Kids 4 Critters Oath, then take oath / Awarding of certificates /Students take home folders and continue to teach others what they have learned!