The following is Lesson 4.1: Listening to Each Other for Grades 4-5: To be effective listeners, children need to learn how to take another’s perspective and convey empathy. In addition to enhancing the ability to communicate and maintain relationships, the development of listening and observational skills will strengthen children’s awareness of, and sensitivity to, - Read more
Who Am I?
Lessons in this theme, Achieving Awareness, help students gain a stronger sense of self and awareness of their unique abilities. Such skills increase children’s self-confidence and promote the appreciation of diversity. Children will also learn that, like people, Mutt-i-grees possess special and unique qualities. Children will identify their unique traits and interests to further - Read more
Listening Skills
What emotions do you think dog’s feel? How do they express these emotions? Thinking about feelings from a dog’s perspective can help you think more about how to help animals and people. In Lesson 3.7: A Dog’s Point of View, from the Grades 7 & 8 curriculum, students will further enhance their perspective-taking skills - Read more
A Dog’s Point of View
What emotions do you think dog’s feel? How do they express these emotions? Thinking about feelings from a dog’s perspective can help you think more about how to help animals and people. In Lesson 3.7: A Dog’s Point of View, from the Grades 7 & 8 curriculum, students will further enhance their perspective-taking skills - Read more
Different Points of View
What are you thankful for? We must remember to be grateful for the things we have this time of year and be mindful of the impact and importance we have on the world as we move through it. In Lesson 3.1: Different Points of View from the 7 & 8 curriculum, students will learn - Read more
Earning Trust
Happy Halloween from the Mutt-i-grees team! Remember that not all pets like being dressed up for the holiday, so respect what makes your pet partner comfortable! Check out Lesson 4.5, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, from the grade 4 and 5 curriculum for more ways you can teach trust and respect in your classroom! Lessons in this theme - Read more
About Me / About You
Did you know black cats are harder to find homes for due to the stigma that they are bad luck? We want to end this stereotype! We are all different and Lesson 1.2, About Me/About You in the Grade 6 curriculum, discusses how the best way to get to know someone is to spend - Read more
Stop Bullying Day
In Lesson 1.3, Pawsitive Thinking, from the 7-8 curriculum, Students will learn about positive and negative thinking, how one’s mindset can influence outcomes, and how to consciously focus and encourage themselves through positive self-talk. It is the perfect activity to build self-confidence for Stop Bullying Day or any day. Try it yourself with this - Read more
Beat the “Summer Slide” with Mutt-i-grees
Each year, many children — particularly those from low-income backgrounds — lose as much as three months of reading skills during the summer. Known as the “summer slide,” this learning loss is cumulative and can leave some children up to three years behind their peers by the end of fifth grade. In Arkansas, educators - Read more
Humane Leadership Award at NSALA Annual Gala
This year, we presented The Humane Leadership Awards to both Michael Tountasakis, principal of Harris Middle School in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, and Ailene Mitchell, principal of MS 88 Peter Rouget School in Brooklyn, New York. During the last academic year, these two educators collaborated —bridging an almost 700-mile distance — to have their - Read more
