You can enjoy past issues of Animalessons by downloading issues from our online achives. Each issue of Animalessons contains fact sheets and descriptions about the lessons, fun activity sheets for each grade group (K-2, 3-5, 3-8), and information about resources for educators.
Animal Fighting
Our latest issue tackles dog fighting and cockfighting, and includes related activities for grades 3-8.
Animals in History
Lessons and activities to teach your students about animals through history.
Animal-Assisted Interactions
Great activities you can use to teach your students about the work of therapy animals.
Animal CSI
Lessons involving forensic science are a terrific way to combine kids’ desire to help animals, their fascination with solving puzzles and their science skills—just like their heroes in popular television shows like CSI.
Humane Literature
Students can learn how, and where, to choose meaningful books that portray animals accurately.
Humane Heroes
This issue of ASPCA Animalessons helps educators and parents introduce kids to some movers and shakers in the animal welfare movement—and explain what it means to be a true hero.
Working Animals
For most of our history, animals have been our partners, working by our sides. Often when we think of “working animals,” farm animals come to mind.
What is Service Learning?
Service learning that incorporates helping animals is a wonderful opportunity to encourage students’ interest in animal welfare while providing learning in multiple subject areas.
Emergency Preparedness
How does one plan for the unexpected? Sometimes an uncontrollable situation may arise; hurricanes in Florida, floods in the Midwest, broken levees in the South, or terrorism in New York City. As scary as these situations are, and as vulnerable as one may feel, preparation can be the key to staying in control.
Animal Careers
“I love animals, I think I’ll be a veterinarian when I grow up!” This is what you will often hear from a child who loves animals when asked about his or her future career plans. Becoming a veterinarian is a wonderful aspiration, and should be encouraged of course, but there are many other careers where working with and benefiting animals.
Caring for a Pet
Most children yearn for a pet of their own, yet have a hard time understanding the responsibility that is necessary to assure the animal’s health and well-being. Before bringing an animal into your home, educate your children on how to properly care for a pet.
In Praise of Pigeons
Pigeons may be the most common bird in the world. their very abundance may blind us to their breathtaking aerial acrobatics in flight, their comical and earnest courting behavior and the doting care they shower on their young.
ASPCA Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
April is ASPCA Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. Help raise awareness of this national problem by providing your students with information on recognizing and reporting animal abuse.
Pondering Pachyderms
Elephants are the Earth's largest surviving land animals. It is our responsibility to make sure that these ponderous pachyderms don't go the way of the mammoth or mastodon.
Plop! Hop! Slither and Swim!
Amphibians were the first vertebrates to venture onto land. They developed a wide variety of adaptations for breathing, moving and feeding on terra firma, but they never fully emancipated themselves from their aquatic origins.
Animal Shelters 411
Many people have misconceptions about shelters and the work they do - especially among children. As educators, you can help shelters help animals by debunking these myths and clarifying the important role shelters play in communities.
Pet Population: Behind the Numbers
Puppies and kittens are undeniably cute. Regrettably, this natural appeal has tragic consequences, contributing to the death of millions of dogs and cats each year.
