0% Funded
Only $100.00 Needed
The purpose of this project is to implement a Desk Pets program in the kindergarten classroom to foster positive behavior, emotional regulation, responsibility, and classroom engagement through a fun and developmentally appropriate incentive system. Desk pets are small animal figurines that students “adopt” and earn accessories for acst as powerful tools for behavior management, social-emotional learning, and student motivation. This project also supports a broader initiative to integrate play based learning strategies in early education. Additionally, the program will be part of a classroom fundraiser, engaging families and the school community while generating funds to support classroom needs or school wide initiatives.
The Desk Pets program directly supports key early childhood learning goals, including:
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Students practice empathy, kindness, and responsibility as they care for their desk pets.
Positive Behavior Reinforcement: Promotes following classroom expectations and self-regulation through a tangible reward system.
Language and Writing Skills: Students will engage in writing activities like naming their pet, writing care instructions, or journaling pet adventures.
Math and Counting Skills: Students may use simple math to track points earned, accessories collected, or pet populations as part of cross-curricular integration.
The project aligns with kindergarten curriculum standards by encouraging active participation, creativity, and responsible decision-making, all while reinforcing core academic and developmental competencies.
School-Wide, Grade-Level, Or Class Events/Programs - Parent Nights, Honor Roll Celebrations, EOY Events, etc.
The Desk Pets project involves introducing small animal figurines—known as “desk pets”—into the kindergarten classroom as part of a behavior management and learning tool. Each student will choose and "adopt" a desk pet, which will stay on their desk and serve as a fun, motivating presence throughout the school day. Students will earn rewards such as accessories, pet homes, and certificates by demonstrating positive behaviors like listening, sharing, staying on task, and helping others.
Activities will include:
Desk Pet Adoption Day: Students choose and name their pet, receiving an adoption certificate.
Behavior-Based Reward System: Students earn points or tokens for following classroom rules, redeemable for pet accessories or privileges (e.g., playground pass for their pet, pet playgrounds).
Literacy Activities: Writing short stories, care instructions, or journals about their pet’s adventures.
Math Integration: Counting rewards, graphing pet types, and budgeting points earned.
SEL Mini-Lessons: Discussions and activities on responsibility, kindness, empathy, and cooperation through their role as pet caregivers.
Family Involvement & Fundraiser: Families can support the project by donating supplies or participating in a fundraiser (e.g., selling “Pet Supply Packs” or accessories), helping raise money for classroom resources.
b) Meeting Student, Classroom, and School Needs:
This project meets several key needs:
Student Engagement: Desk pets provide an exciting, hands-on way to stay focused and motivated, particularly helpful for young learners with limited attention spans.
Behavior Management: The system reinforces positive behavior in a non-punitive, rewarding manner, reducing disruptions and supporting a positive classroom culture.
Social-Emotional Learning: Students develop empathy and responsibility through “caring” for their pets, fostering strong SEL foundations at a critical developmental stage.
Academic Support: Writing and math tasks integrated into the program strengthen early literacy and numeracy skills in a playful context.
Overall, the Desk Pets project offers a creative and meaningful approach to meeting academic, behavioral, and emotional needs in the kindergarten classroom while also supporting broader school goals.
The Desk Pets project will create a more positive, engaging, and nurturing classroom environment where students are excited to learn and motivated to behave well. By “adopting” a pet, students develop responsibility, empathy, and social skills, while also improving focus and participation. Integrated writing and math activities will boost academic growth in a fun, hands-on way. Success will be measured through behavior charts, student work, teacher observations, and simple surveys, showing real growth in both learning and classroom behavior. With your support, this small idea can make a big impact on our kindergarteners’ school experience.
Grant funds will be used to purchase all the materials needed to successfully launch and sustain the Desk Pets program in our kindergarten classroom. This includes a variety of miniature animal figurines (desk pets) for each student to adopt, accessories such as tiny food, beds, and toys to reward positive behavior, and small containers to serve as homes for each pet. Funds will also cover adoption certificates to make “Adoption Day” a special and memorable event that builds excitement and ownership. Each item directly supports student engagement, behavior reinforcement, and social-emotional learning, aligning with our goal to create a fun, structured, and meaningful classroom experience.
| # | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desk Pets | $23.00 |
| 2 | Storage Containers for Desk Pets | $40.00 |
| 3 | Acessories for Desk Pets | $23.00 |
| 4 | Desk Pet Adoption Certificate | $14.00 |
| Total: | $100.00 |
0% Funded
Only $100.00 Needed
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