McSorley Elementary's Unique Classroom Pets
At McSorley Elementary, our student community is enriched by a variety of species living alongside us. Several teachers have introduced some fascinating classroom pets that engage students in a special way, often seeming to gaze back when looked at. In Mrs. Penkert’s 5th grade class, there are two axolotls that are very bizarre looking: they are not a fish but looks like a fish with legs but more of a salamander. These water animals are called many things, like water dogs, water players, water slaves and a water monstrosity. In Mrs. Penkert’s class two axolotls survive in a large aquarium. Phineas a pink large adult and a gray one named, Ferb; both presenting a small little smile.
Axolotls are amphibians and have the remarkable ability to regenerate parts of their body, including limbs, gills and parts of their eyes and brains. The axolotl is carnivorous, consuming small prey such as mollusks,[47] worms, insects, other arthropods, and small fish in the wild. Axolotls locate food by smell, and will "snap" at any potential meal, sucking the food into their stomachs with vacuum force. Axolotls are found in the wetlands of Mexico and have a possibility of extinction status due to water pollution, urbanization, and invasive predators.
Classroom pets offer numerous benefits, including:
Improved social-emotional skills: fostering empathy, reducing anxiety, and enhancing self-esteem
Increased responsibility: tasks like feeding and cleaning
Better attendance: encouraging students to come to school
Enhanced academic engagement: making learning more interactive
Hands-on science learning: providing real-life experiences
These wonderful creatures help create a calmer, more positive environment, ultimately boosting overall student well-being and connection.