Lessons for Elementary School Students

Please read the following story aloud to your class, and discuss the questions that the tale raises. We hope that this entertaining story will help your students consider some important animal issues. It is about the adventures of animal-friendly Santa on Christmas Eve.

Santa's Animal-Friendly Adventure

To get ready for a night of sharing the Christmas spirit, Santa jumps on his new state-of-the-art electric sleigh and waves goodbye to Mrs. Claus, the elves, and, of course, his good friends the reindeer. Several years ago, the reindeer began staying home when Santa went on long trips. One day, Mrs. Claus told Santa that the reindeer had come to her and told her that they did not enjoy pulling the sleigh and that they would much rather stay at home and play in the snow with their friends. When he heard this, Santa realized that Christmas should be a joyous time for all creatures-both human and nonhuman.

As Santa enters a city, he eyes his "Cruel and Kind" list, which tells him who's been kind and who's been cruel to animals and to each other. As he approaches each house, he circles it to make sure that there are no chained dogs outside. It's winter and, as we all know, it's very cold and lonely outside. Santa likes to see that both children and his animal friends are safe in their warm houses.

Discuss

How do you think that dogs who are chained outside feel?

What kinds of actions can you take to help chained dogs? Click here for ideas.

Santa also looks around the house for some delicious snacks. He walks into the kitchen and hopes to see a cold glass of soy milk, a few cookies, and a great big bowl of fruit, Santa's favorite! He likes to stay healthy and trim, so he eats foods that are low in fat and high in flavor!

After visiting every child's home, Santa goes to visit the animals at the shelters. There, he meets his elves, and they play with the lonely animals. The dogs, cats, and other animals are so happy to see that someone wants to play with them.

Then Santa donates all sorts of toys to warm the animals' hearts and give them something to play with until they are adopted into loving homes.

Discuss

Why do you think that Santa visits animals at shelters?

What kinds of presents do you think that animals at shelters would enjoy?

After a long night of giving gifts to children and animals, Santa flies home. As he flies, he silently wishes that the world would be a kinder and gentler place for all.

Follow-Up Exercise
Ask your students to pretend that they are Santa. Have them write a note to a make-believe person who has been cruel or kind to animals. Emphasize politeness in their writing.