The Class Pet

My kids are on some strange class pet obsessions.  Actually it's not strange.  We read a story called "Teacher's Pet" in our literacy program last week. I think that is what got the ball rolling along with the fact that some kids in one of the other classes brought in a leaf eater and worms and called them their class pets. 

Two days ago one of the little girls in my class came in with a jar.  In it was a caterpillar.  At the carpet in the morning she proudly announced that it could be our class pet.  She put it over on the counter where it wouldn't be a distraction.  At recess the kids diligently collected leaves for it to eat.  At the end of the day she took it home with her. 

This morning she came back with the class pet.  When one of the students in the class asked how the class pet was doing she said "It's almost dead."  Leaves were still collected for it at recess, but it was forgotten on the counter at the end of the day. 

The poor thing that found its way into the hands of a second grader.  If you die overnight little caterpillar, may you rest in peace.