Finding Feelings, the second theme in the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum, teaches children to understand and label their own emotions and the emotions of others. Before children can begin to figure out how others might be feeling, they have to be attuned to their own feelings. Adults, too, need to be aware, not only of the - Read more
Building Self-Awareness
How well do you know yourself? Self-awareness is the first step in social and emotional learning. Although we often focus on getting to know our students and their families and, in the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum, on enhancing students’ self-awareness, it’s important to take the time to make sure we get to know ourselves! Gaining awareness - Read more
Encouraging Empathy
Encouraging Empathy is the core of the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum; the preceding two themes set the foundation for developing empathy, and the themes that follow -- Cultivating Cooperation and Dealing With Decisions -- build on this skill. Although known as a social skill, empathy is critical, not only to effective relationships, but also to academic - Read more
12 Things You Can Do to Help Animals in Need
The following are some activities you can do to make a difference in the lives of Mutt-i-grees. Remember to ask for your parent or guardian’s permission (and assistance, if needed). Make cat toys from brightly colored yarn, and donate them to your local shelter or rescue group (check out our Pinterest page for ideas). Use - Read more
Curriculum Activity: Letters to Mutt-i-grees®
Writing letters to Mutt-i-grees® is a creative way to apply lessons on empathy and feelings in your classroom. Encourage students to think about life from the perspective of a Mutt-i-gree® awaiting adoption at a shelter: How might s/he feel? How can you help? Are there any lessons you can learn from Mutt-i-grees®? Download all of - Read more
Curriculum Activity: It’s Your Choice
Students in Shannon Coulter’s classroom at Fenton Avenue Charter School in Lake View Terrace, California inspired this activity sheet expressing the importance of making choices. You can download it here or create your own, using this example as inspiration. Download the "It's Your Choice Worksheet"
Meet Cinderella: No Ordinary Princess Pup
Cinderella Libow, affectionately called Cindy, is a very special Mutt-i-gree dog. Cindy is a 6 year old trained therapy dog. Cindy is a shelter dog that we adopted from North Shore Animal League America.I often bring her to my ESL classroom to help the students learn many things – including (but not limited to) letters, - Read more
Meet Memphis, the Mutt-i-grees Library Assistant
Memphis, the Mutt-i-grees Library Assistant, was rescued from North Shore Animal League America in 2008. She loves to sit in the sun and read a good book with her best friend, Kay Hammerson, Mutt-i-grees Program Manager and Mutt-i-grees Librarian. Some of her favorites include the following: • Saving Audie: A Pit Bull Puppy Gets a Second Chance by Dorothy - Read more
Meet Victoria, a Puppy Mill Survivor
Victoria, a puppy mill dog rescued by North Shore Animal League America, has become an important part of the Mutt-i-grees Movement. She participates in Mutt-i-grees assemblies with hundreds of children at Mutt-i-grees schools and loves making classroom and library visits. She has also represented the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum at conferences in Connecticut and New York with her best friend, Lauraine Merlini, Senior Volunteer Manager at North Shore Animal League America.
Meet Lady: Puppy in the Classroom
Lady spends her time co-teaching Mutt-i-grees lessons with second grade teacher Delois Byrd. Ms. Boyd teaches Mutt-i-grees once a week and she says her students love it. Learning about and helping animals has had a tremendous impact on her students, she says. “I think it has helped them see compassion in action…I like that [the - Read more
