Using Hamsters for Homeschooling
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Having hamsters can be an enriching part of any homeschooling family’s curriculum. Hamsters are appealing as pets, plus they are easy to maintain and require very little living space. They can not only be used as a part of your science curriculum, but can be used for any subject – math, language arts, social studies, etc. Learn more about the hamster’s history.
Before deciding whether or not you want to incorporate hamsters into your curriculum, consider the fact that you will be making a commitment of at least 2 to 3 years. You cannot simply have them for a few weeks and them turn them loose – chances are they will end up being eaten by a predator or dying of starvation in the wild. Setting hamsters free is not a humane or generous gesture, and simply giving them to a pet shop might have them end up being dinner for a hungry snake. Carefully contemplate your choice.
Be sure to document your homeschooling activities through writing, photos, etc., and keep this for your records.
After you have made the commitment to getting a hamster, decide on how you will use them. You can choose to simply have one hamster and use him for observation and entertainment, or you could have more than one and use him and her to study things such as genetics, mating rituals, social order and other subjects.There are so many possibilities.
For language arts, you can use one or more hamsters to inspire fiction or to exercise writing skills in nonfiction topics. Children can describe the characteristics of the hamster, day-to-day activities, how the hamster came to live in the family, and a host of other topics.Assignments can be given on the observation of any signs of illness.Keeping a daily or weekly journal is a great activity.
For math lessons you can calculate food consumption, water usage, and the cost of supplies. You can also calculate things such as how long a bag of bedding material will last if x is used per day, per week, etc.You can calculate some complicated usage projections if you breed your hamsters. Budgeting is another subject you can use, and you can give the children the responsibility of staying within a certain budget each month for your hamster.Selling the baby hamsters can be used as a lesson to teach the children how to calculate any profit.
Science is the subject most suited for this type of project. Children can learn about genetics, breeding, animal husbandry, and a host of other scientific topics.It is possible for children to try selective breeding to create new, desirable traits in their hamsters. If your hamster becomes ill, this is a good lesson in veterinary techniques and treatment.How to tame a hamster is also a good lesson for children to learn (with adult supervision, of course).
The joy of being responsible for another living creature is one of the best lessons for children.Some of the things they can learn include – responsibility, empathy, compassion, respect and patience. It also matures children in a loving way.
Remember to stop by our online pet store for all your hamster’s needs.


