| You've contemplated how excited children are | | | | determine the need and if you can afford the |
| about these Webkinz pets. You've pondered how | | | | item. By setting goals and saving, you can earn |
| that could impact your classroom. Yet, you still | | | | enough Kinzcash to purchase the special items. |
| aren't sure how to go about using this toy in | | | | Children can practice this with their Webkinz pet, |
| school. | | | | and then hopefully apply this to their own lives. |
| In the following paragraphs I am going to give you | | | | Another educational tie for using Webkinz pets in |
| specific ideas for using this toy for learning | | | | the classroom revolves around the study of |
| purposes. | | | | animals. There are all types of animal pets now, |
| First, the world of Webkinz has an extensive | | | | including herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. |
| economy based on Kinzcash. You must earn cash | | | | What a fun way to sort and study animals! |
| to support your pets. So, just maintaining a log of | | | | If we look for a moment beyond the virtual world |
| Kinzcash earned and spent is a learning tool for | | | | of Webkinz we can tie these pets into writing |
| children. Earning Kinzcash happens by engaging in | | | | instruction with activities such as "Make me Love |
| the games and visiting the employment office. | | | | Your Pet...write a descriptive paragraph about |
| There are two main types of games in the | | | | your favorite webkinz pet" or "Webkinz |
| arcade section. One type is just arcade type | | | | Theater...write and perform a play with your pets" |
| games, and the others have educational value. | | | | or nonfiction animal reports. |
| Some with educational value include "Quizzy's | | | | Many of these activities are perfect during |
| Word Challenge," "Booger Gets an A" (addition | | | | Literacy Work Station time when students are |
| math facts), "Home Before Dark" (visual | | | | engaged in an array of various activities. I would |
| geometry skills), "Get Eleven Solitaire" and many | | | | encourage you to have each student keep a |
| more. With recording sheets students could keep | | | | folder just for Webkinz activities. |
| track of their progress. | | | | Most children have their own Webkinz pets and |
| Food is an important aspect of caring for your | | | | would be able to participate in these activities on |
| pets. Within the land of Webkinz you can even | | | | their own logins and accounts. For those children |
| grow your own food in your garden. You must | | | | that don't, a class pet or two would allow all |
| tend your plants, water them, weed them, and | | | | students to participate and enjoy the experience. |
| then harvest. If you don't take good care of | | | | Whereas most people would think that the |
| them you'll have to dig up the garden and start | | | | Webkinz pets and activities are geared for |
| again. Monitoring plants is another way that the | | | | younger children, that isn't the case. Due to the |
| world of Webkinz is educational. | | | | large number of adults who are addicted to |
| Needs and wants are inevitable in caring for your | | | | playing Webkinz, I believe that there are activities |
| pets. There are so many neat items that you can | | | | that people of all ages can benefit and learn from |
| purchase for your pets but you will have to | | | | inside the land of Webkinz! |