These 2nd graders fifi nd pups forever homes!
Kensey Jones has always had two passions: teaching children and helping animals. When she combined them, her 2nd graders learned a lesson in love and compassion— and two dozen shelter pets got adopted
Kensey Jones, a Richmond, Virginia, second-grade teacher, was about to drift off to sleep one night last January, when an idea popped into her head.
Kensey had been trying to come up with a writing assignment to teach her students the power their words could have. What if they write essays persuading shelter visitors to adopt dogs? the animal lover suddenly thought.
The next day, Kensey contacted the Richmond Animal Care and Control director, Christie Peters, who loved the idea. Kensey’s students at St. Michael’s Episcopal School gushed with excitement and couldn’t wait to get started.
Christie selected 24 pets— one for each student. Most fell into the hard-to-adopt category due to medical or behavioral issues, and could use the extra help with finding a home. Kensey printed out photos of the 23 dogs and one cat and passed them out to the class. After reading their pet’s profile on the shelter website, the kids wrote a case for adopting each animal in their animal’s voice.
Hello! My name is Pitato Chip. I’m a Pitbull! I’ ll give you lots of kisses! one read.
I love soft blankets. I really love to cuddle and play, but I can be shy at first, the kitty’s read. The cute, colorful letters were posted on the cages, and within just a few weeks, Kensey congratulated her class. “You guys did it. All the animals found homes!”
“Yay!” the kids cheered, their faces beaming with joy and pride.
“Not only did the children learn about the wonders of writing, it also taught them about love, compassion and empathy,” says Kensey. “But I think the greatest lesson the children learned is that each of them has the power to make an impact in their community.”
“The children learned they have the power to impact their community”