Making decisions about getting pets for K-5, including PACED decision-making and Model Eliciting Activities.

1. Seuss-onomics:
Economic Decision-making with Dr. Seuss
dkozdras@usf.edu Website: http://stavros.coedu.usf.edu
Deborah Kozdras

2. Read Aloud Think Aloud:
Close Viewing

3. Visual Literacy: I See, I Think, I Wonder*
I See II Think . . . I Wonder?
*Janet Richards & Nancy Anderson (2003) The Reading Teacher, Images from

7. What do we see?
(observations)
What do we think we
know? (ideas)
What do we wonder?
(questions)

8. Asking When (Historical) and Where (Geographical) Questions
What Decision Should You Make? (Economic & Civic Responsibility)
From Observation to Inquiry:
I see he had a pet. I think he likes his pet. I know he needs to take care of his
pet. I wonder what resources he needs to take care of his pet (food, shelter,
equipment)? What does he need to do in order to take care of his pet? Do
research and make a decision.

9. Dog vs. Cat

10. Problem
Decision
Choice
Choice
___________
___________
Bad
Good ___________
___________
Good
Bad

11. Paradox of Choice:
Why More is Less (Schwartz, 2004)

13. PACED: Economic Decision-Making

14. What is the Problem?
Dear Students:
My name is Kay. My brother and I are trying to decide what
pet we should get. We like all the pets! Dad said he would
pay but we can only have one. Mom says we have to be
back by noon. My mom would not like noisy things. She
would like a pet who fits into a small space. The pet house
can’t be too big because we don’t know if dad will pay for it.
Please help us make up our mind!
In the end, we narrowed our decision to dog, cat, fish, or
rabbit.
The Dr. Seuss Kids

15. What are the alternatives?

16. What are the criteria?

17. Letter 1 Template
Date ___________________
Dear Kay and Jay,
Our team, __________________________________,
thinks that the order of pets, from best to worst, is
____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
The procedure we used to come up with this answer is
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________
Sincerely,
_______________________________________

18. The Twist!
Use your grade level social studies, science,
and/or mathematics standards to create a
twist.
• Add a new alternative (pet rescue option)
• Add new criteria that involve mathematical
differences in size, shape, or cost.
• Add new criteria that involve earth science
considerations of caring for the pet.

19. Polya

20. Kindergarten: We Love Pets!
Based on CPalms Resource #: 51205
Students will work in teams to determine the
best pet toys to buy for a pet daycare.
Students will use criteria such as fun,
exercise, cost, and durability to make their
determinations.

21. We Love Pets! Pet Daycare Center
200 Wagging Road
Pawstown, MA, 55466
Dear Pet Friends Team,
My name is Kathy Bowers, and I am the owner of the We Love Pets! Pet
Daycare Center. Recently we added a new cat room to our daycare center,
but lately the cats seem very bored all day. I want to choose a new toy to give
to each of our cats.
I called the local pet store, and they said I can get a good deal if I buy the toys
in boxes of 50. I need to pick the best toy, since I can only choose one type.
I really need your help to choose the best toy for our cats.
I am sending you a data table that shows how each type of pet toy rated in
fun, exercise, and cost. Please write back to tell me the order of the toys from
best to worst. Also tell me the procedure you used to rank the toys. I want to
share it with the pet store owner, so that his other customers can use your
procedure, too.
Thank you for your help!
Kathy Bowers

23. Letter 1 Template
Date ___________________
Dear Mrs. Bowers,
Our team, __________________________________,
thinks that the order of cat toys, from best to worst, is
____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
The procedure we used to come up with this answer is
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
________
Sincerely,
_______________________________________

25. 1st Grade: Our New Dog
Based on Cpalms Resource ID#: 51184
Kay and her brother decided to buy a pet
cat. Now the Kay’s brother saved his money
needs your help choosing the perfect dog.
Help him meet all the requirements needed
to find the perfect pet for their family from
the research he shares with you about the
breeds his is considering, taking into
consideration: size, shedding, barking,
friendliness, etc. Then write a justification to
describe why you chose the perfect pet.

26. The Boy from Dr. Seuss
200 Wagging Road
Pawstown, MA, 55466
Dear Friends,
I am so excited that my parents are finally going to let me have a pet dog! I
need your help finding a pet that will make everyone in my family happy.
Mom wants a pet that won’t make messes for her to clean up and won’t wake
up the baby when she is sleeping. Dad won’t let us have any pet that is >50
pounds. Kay wants a friendly dog that she can cuddle and sleep with. I am
going to be the one who has to train the dog so I want to make sure we get a
dog who is smart and can learn to do tricks. Can you help us find a pet that
will make everyone in the family happy? I did some research and made a
table for you to use to help make a decision. Please choose the top two
choices that you think will be best for my family. Then write me a letter back
and tell me which two breeds you think would be best for my family and why.
Thank you so much for all your help!
Your Friend,
Boy Seuss

27. 1. Who is the client for this problem? 2. Why does
the client need our help? 3. What do you need to
create to solve the clients problems? 4. What are the
things that are required to be in your written
document to the client? 5. What might be the biggest
problem with solving this problem? 6. Will you have
to use math to answer your client? 7. If so, what
math strategies do you think you may use?
Prompting Questions for Guided
Reading

30. Date:________________
Dear Kay,
We think the best two dog breeds
for your family are _________________ and ____________________.
This is how we decided that these
breeds are the best two.
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Your Friends,

31. 2nd Grade: Class Pets
Based on Cpalms Resource ID#: 51383
The focus of this lesson is to devise a plan,
and justify it, in order to choose the best
class pet. Students will use problem-solving
skills, data sets presented in a chart, two
and three digit addition, writing skills.
Students will complete bar graphs using
data from their data set sheets and answer
questions about the graphs. Students will
also need to check their procedure to
determine if it will work when given
additional data.

32. Mr. Principal
200 The Office
Your School, FL, 55466
Dear 2nd Graders:
We have a great opportunity to apply for a grant that will allow us to purchase and buy supplies
for a class pet. An organization called Classroom Pets is offering these grants. Before I apply
for a grant, we need to decide what kind of class pet we would like.
I have done a little research and chosen four possible pets. You will get a sheet about those
pets that contains information about where the pets need to live (housing), what they need in
their home (environment), what they eat and how to care for them (care) and the cost to buy
them (cost).
Your group will need to:
1. Choose a group name.
2. Read all the data carefully.
3. Decide which category of the data is most important to your group.
4. Decide how you will analyze all the data.
5. Make a bar graph that shows how much each classroom pet costs.
6. Write a letter to me explaining how you analyzed the data and which classroom pet you
recommend.
Sincerely,
The Principal

38. Problem: ______________________________________
Decision and Why? _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

39. Dear ____________________,
Our team, _____________________________________________,
chose the
______________________ as the best class pet.
The way we decided this was
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
___________
The order we ranked our choices, from highest to lowest is:
__________________________ __________________________
__________________________ __________________________
Sincerely,

41. 3rd Grade: Pick a Pet
Based on Cpalms Resource ID#: 51157
Students will rank pets from most family
friendly to least family friendly by
considering data such as purchase price,
cost to feed, cleanliness, etc. as well as
notes regarding the physical description of
the pet.

44. Extra Information:
Dogs- Dogs vary in size from very small (3 pounds) to
very large (over 100 pounds). Dogs have sharp teeth
and strong jaws. Most dogs have fur. However, dogs can
range from extremely furry to those with no hair at all.
Dogs are very social animals, but their personality
usually depends on how they are treated by their owner.
Dogs are valued for their intelligence and can learn many
commands. The loyalty dogs show closely mimics the
human ideas of love and friendship.
http://www.dogfacts.org

45. Hermit crabs- Hermit crabs have a hard shell and
large claws. It is important when handling hermit crabs
to be very careful, as they will pinch. Care should be
taken to NEVER pick a crab up from the front or put a
crab in your pocket. Hermit crabs enjoy toys they can
crawl over such as certain types of wood, plastic plants,
and man-made hermit huts! Hermit crabs prefer to live
with other hermit crabs. http://www.hermit-
crabs.com/care.html

46. Guinea pigs- Guinea pigs are between 1 and 3 pounds,
have 20 teeth, and have smooth, short, kinked, or curly hair.
Guinea pigs are sociable, friendly, and thrive on interaction.
Guinea pigs are creatures of habit and will want to stick to
the daily, weekly, and monthly routines you establish.
Guinea pigs are energetic pets that will become very
attached to their owner. Guinea pigs prefer to be paired with
a companion. Care should be taken to pick up a guinea pig
with both hands, making sure the guinea pig is not in danger
of falling. Guinea pigs should never be left unsupervised out
of their cage, especially outside.
http://www.petsmart.com/guides/guinea-pigs/about-guinea-
pig.shtml

47. Panther Geckos- Panther Geckos are reddish brown
normally with protuberant eyes, spindly legs, and a large
head perched on a short cylindrical body. They are also
about 14-15 centimeters in length. Their body is covered
with rows of large tubercles among smooth scales.
Panther geckos are nocturnal insectivores. This means
they sleep during the day rather than the night and they
eat insects. They tend to hide under rocks, burrows, or
wood during the day. Panther geckos tolerate being held
for short periods of time; however, you should take
extreme care not to hold a gecko by its tail- it might fall
off.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=38
93715
http://thepanthergecko.wordpress.com/my-new-home-
page/

48. Rabbits- Rabbits have long ears, small noses, and love to
hop and chew. Rabbits are herbivores, which means they
eat only plants. Rabbits are inquisitive and like to interact.
It is important to allow your rabbit to be out of its cage at
least one hour a day to play and interact. Rabbits enjoy
other rabbits’ company. The best combination is two
females from the same family. It is important to care for
your rabbit by providing chewing toys, a controlled diet of
healthy food, and regular socialization.
http://pets.petsmart.com/guides/rabbits/index.shtml

49. Problem: ______________________________________
Decision and Why? _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

50. Dear _____________________________,
Our team _________________________, has decided on the following ranking of
pets for you:
1. __________________________________
2. __________________________________
3. __________________________________
4. __________________________________
5. __________________________________
The procedure we used for making this ranking was
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Sincerely,
__________________________________

51. 3rd & 4th Grade: Picking Pets
Based on Cpalms Resource ID#: 47540
Students will have to choose which pet
would be best for the PTA to purchase for
the classroom.

52. Dear PTA Council,
What classroom is complete without a pet? We learn everyday about the being
responsibility and we know that having a pet in our classrooms would be good
practice. Well, you can make it happen.
We, the members of the Ridgeway Student Group, have decided that it is time for all
the classrooms here at Ridgeway Elementary School to have a pet. The school
handbook says that if we have a pet, it must be less than 5 pounds or less in weight,
fully vaccinated, easy to clean up after, free of shedding hair, and kept in a cage,
bowl, or any closed home.
Are you willing to help us become more responsible? Please look at the pie chart we
made after a school wide vote and the chart of information that the Student Group
has prepared to help you make a decision as to what first pet you will purchase for
the school.
Thank you,
The Ridgeway Student Group
Ridgeway Elementary School
852 North Falcon Way
Kendall Lake, Florida 33188

53. Multiply each by 16 to find the ounces. Since, 16 ounces=1 pound. Ex: Bunny 4
pounds so 16 X 4= 64 ounces
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060714065012AAFLPF5

55. Problem: ______________________________________
Decision and Why? _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

56. Dear students of Ridgeway Elementary School, Thank you for your letter.
It is good to see that students have a voice at Ridgeway. We have looked
at everything you sent us and we have made a decision. We are willing to
purchase a ____________________________ for the first classroom. It
was a tough decision but we did our best. We looked at
________________________ and _______________________ before
deciding. Our first priority was to follow the policy of the school handbook.
This is the procedure we followed:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
I hope you are happy about our choice. Best of luck to you all. PTA
Council

57. 5th Grade: Pick a Pet
Based on Cpalms Resource ID#: 49690
• This Model Eliciting Activity (MEA) asks students to
develop a procedure for choosing a reptile or amphibian
to place in a school reception area. Students will need to
consider safety, price of animal, cost by week to feed
animal, size and cost of the enclosure, and the life span
of the animals they are considering. In the second
portion of the problem statement, the students will need
to prepare a budget and cost analysis for the year to
consider if they have still made the correct choices while
adding three more animals for consideration. The
culminating activity for this MEA will have the student
write a proposal for the Principal to state their choice of
animal, give a year's budget for cost and care for the
animal.

58. Symmes Elementary School 1222 Watson Rd Riverview, FL - (813) 555-2345 Hello, Our
school is in the process of selecting a pet to put in our office lobby. I have researched several
animals for consideration and have created a data table that includes the safety, price of animal,
cost by week to feed each animal, size and cost of the enclosure, and the life span of the animal.
Please find the area and volume of each enclosure. The area of the office space dedicated to a
pet is 500 inches squared. We have 4 feet height available as well. I need for your team to come
up with a procedure that will help me select the best animal for our school. All of the information
your team needs is located on the next page. Please write a letter to me explaining your team's
procedure. Include information that tells me how you came up with your decision and describe
your process. Things to consider: - We will need to consider how much is spent in total. We
are a school on a small budget. - Will each closure fit in the space that we have available. I
look forward to hearing from you soon! I really appreciate your help. Thank you, Kameron
Knight, Principal

60. Date: ____________ Dear Mr Knight, Our Team, ____________, has
reviewed all the data provided by your company and have created a list in
order from "Best to Worst" of pets that would fit your criteria. The order is as
follows:
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Additionally based on the data provided, our team believes that the "top
choice" of school pet to purchase is _____________________________.
The procedure we used was: Sincerely,