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The
Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum:
Q & A
What is a Mutt-i-gree®?
What is the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum?
Why
are Social & Emotional Skills Important?
How
is the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum Unique?
How was
the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum Developed?
What
is Included in the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum Kit?
How are Mutt-i-grees®
Integrated into the Lessons?
What's
Next for the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum?
How
Can I Learn More About the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum?
Pilot
Sites :: Testimonials
:: Training
Research
:: Implementation
What
is a Mutt-igree®?
A Mutt-i-gree®
is a dog awaiting adoption at a shelter.
Click here
to see an example. |
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What
is the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum?
A curriculum
targeting children in pre-kindergarten through
third-grade that teaches empathy and related
social and emotional skills. The curriculum
aims to enhance children’s self- and
social-awareness, relationship skills, and
ability to make ethical decisions that benefit
people, animals, and the environment. Read More. |
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Why
are Social & Emotional Skills Important?
Students
must be competent in traditional core academic
subjects, but to succeed in today’s
global environment, they also need to learn
social and emotional skills that enhance the
ability to communicate and collaborate and
promote the appreciation of diversity.
Moreover, when children master these skills
they become better learners. A substantial
body of research has shown that social and
emotional skills that lead to empathy not
only build character, but also enhance academic
achievement. Socially and emotionally competent
students are more likely to use critical thinking
skills, make responsible and ethical decisions,
and engage in healthy and pro-social behaviors. |
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How
is the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum Unique?
The curriculum
seeks to engage children by capitalizing on
the affinity between children and animals;
promoting awareness of Mutt-i-grees®;
and fostering calm, confident, and caring
children. The curriculum bridges the
domains of humane education, emotional intelligence,
and social-emotional learning. The focus
on dogs provides a context within with to
teach children compassion, empathy, and social
responsibility. |
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How
was the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum Developed?
The Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum is an initiative of the Pet Savers
Foundation developed in collaboration with
Yale University School of the 21st Century
(21C). 21C is a school-based child care
and family support program operating in more
than 1,300 schools around the country. 21C
teachers and administrators, as well as a
research and development team from Yale 21C,
developed and reviewed lesson plans for the
curriculum. The curriculum was developed
with gracious support from The Millan Foundation. |
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What
is Included in the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum Kit?
The Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum Kit includes the Curriculum binder,
the Mutt-i-gree®
Puppet and posters. Included in the Curriculum
binder are two units: Pre-K/Kindergarten
and Grades 1, 2, and 3. Each unit includes
25 total lessons organized around five themes:
Achieving Awareness, Finding Feelings, Encouraging
Empathy, Cultivating Cooperation, and Dealing
with Decisions. Additional lessons are
available via the Mutt-i-grees®
website. Lesson plans use a traditional
format and materials generally available in
all classrooms. Lessons highlight
vocabulary words, learning concepts from other
subjects, and suggested readings to develop
children’s emerging literacy and language
development. Activities and resources
for family/community involvement and service
learning are also included. |
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How
are Mutt-i-grees®
Integrated into the Lessons?
“Muttigree®
Puppet” – a plush puppet used
as an instructional aide is integrated throughout
the curriculum, and lessons emphasize dual
focus on skill relevance for children and
animals. Lessons also include role play
using Mutt-i-grees®
Puppet, activities, arts and crafts projects,
and/or games involving Mutt-i-grees®,
as well as featured books and videos highlighting
Mutt-i-grees®.
The Mutt-i-grees®
website and e-newsletter provide a forum for
teacher, parent, and child interaction and
discussion. |
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What's
Next for the Mutt-i-grees®
Curriculum?
We are currently
disseminating and providing training on the
Pre-K/Kindergarten and Grade 1, 2, and 3 units.
At the same time, Phase II, Grades 4, 5 and
6 and Middle School, is under development,
with parts being pilot-tested. We continue
to train master teachers and establish a state
leadership networks, in selected states.
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Phone:
(203) 432-9944
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