In this class, students will learn the basics of hamster appreciation! Students will begin class by sharing their experience with hamsters- do you have a hamster? If so, introductions will be encouraged. Do you have a dream hamster? Why are you interested in the world’s cutest mammal? I will also take this time to introduce students to my class pet- Sansa Stark of Winterfell (pictured above), who is a Winter White/Chinese Dwarf Hamster. 

After meeting our sweet little furry friends, students and I will work together to generate a list of the types of hamsters we know about or have an interest in. I will also teach a mini-lesson on what I like to call the “wild hamster life style”. Students will learn how and where hamsters live in the wild. They will also learn what hamsters in the wild need to survive. 

Working from the mini-lesson, we will begin to examine how we can best meet these same needs in our domesticated hamsters. Students and I will collaborate, sharing our expertise about how to best care for hamsters and I will debunk any myths that arise about hamster care. Believe it or not, quite a few myths exist! 

Finally, students will critique Sansa’s living situation and give feedback on how I could improve it, based on what they learned about wild hamster living! If time allows, l will share some personal stories about the hamsters I have known and loved over the years to give some insight into the different temperaments that often exist in our furry playmates and how to best select a hamster that will meet your needs/wants as an owner.  

Any remaining time, will be devoted to a discussion about hamsters. Why do you love your hamster or want a hamster or your own? What challenges are there in hamster ownership? What cute stories can you share about your furry playmates?