Second-Grade Students Write Letters To Encourage People To Adopt Shelter Pets [Video]

• A second-grade teacher assigned her students to write persuasive letters for adoption from a pet’s perspective.
• She invited the head of a local shelter who brought along a pit bull ward so the kids would have ideas about their assigned pets.
• The letters were the perfect tool as within weeks, 24 pets were adopted from the shelter.

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Children are pure and they speak from their hearts. Having pets as a subject for creative writing would surely bring out the creative juices of children.  But this time, it’s not just pets but the urgent need to find these animals their forever homes.

And so, when a second-grade teacher at St. Michael’s Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia Kensey Jones, gave an assignment for her students to write a persuasive adoption letter from the animal’s perspective, the children were all up for the challenge.

To give them an idea of the assignment, Jones invited Christie Peters, Richmond Animal Care and Control’s director, and one of her wards, a 10-week-old pit bull puppy named Snow, to her class and meet the students.

From the two visitors, the students learned more about the pets assigned to them through a virtual tour online and looked it up on social media.  So, when it was time to write and draw, their familiarity with their pets was a big help in telling potential adopters about the pets they will be giving a home to.

Jones said, “I always hold the bar very high for my students, but they exceeded my expectations on how they wrote. They worked hard to get those dogs home.” 

And guess how powerful the kids’ letters and drawings were? 24 pets—23 dogs and one cat—found new homes! 

It was so successful that they even made an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show!

Here is one sample letter: Hi my name is Yosemite. I am a boy. I like the animal shelter, but you would be the best! If you’re looking for a pet please, please, please take me home. It would really make my day if you adopted me. I love cuddles, kisses and extra love. I’m begging you, please adopt me. 

Peters said, “I think when you read them, you remember how beautiful children’s hearts are.”

Good job, kids! 

Source: Daily Paws