- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
- Messages
- 12
3 months ago I got my Russian Tortoise (Tank) from a lovely person who took care of him very well for 8 years, but no longer had the room for him. Tank grew on me from the beginning, I was amazed at his personality. I was hesitant to bring him to school in a 3rd grade classroom, but I needed a way to motivate my students to read, especially the struggling readers. My principle agreed to letting me bring him in for a 2week trial run. He not only made the 2 weeks he gets to comeback every year. Tank amazed me and the students. My students knew they were not allowed to touch, feed, or put anything into his pen without my knowledge. If any of those things were done he would not comeback to the class.
During reading time a student could sit in a tall chair and read to Tank. Tank would come out from where ever he was hiding and listen to the students read. He would sit there stretch out his head and listen. The magic Tank brought to the classroom was incredible. The best thing Tank did was bring a painfully child out of her cocoon. This child could barely speak in front of me let alone a classroom. During a play (Pinocchio) that we put on, all children had to take part. This shy child became so nervous she started to cry until we helped her adjust her part, she was the whale. Instead of holding a whale prop we had tank play the part of the whale and she helped Tank with his part. Tank gave her so much confidence she asked for a speaking part the next time we performed the play.
Thank you forum for the information that you provide! I would not have known how special a tortoise could be as a pet and family member.
Ken
During reading time a student could sit in a tall chair and read to Tank. Tank would come out from where ever he was hiding and listen to the students read. He would sit there stretch out his head and listen. The magic Tank brought to the classroom was incredible. The best thing Tank did was bring a painfully child out of her cocoon. This child could barely speak in front of me let alone a classroom. During a play (Pinocchio) that we put on, all children had to take part. This shy child became so nervous she started to cry until we helped her adjust her part, she was the whale. Instead of holding a whale prop we had tank play the part of the whale and she helped Tank with his part. Tank gave her so much confidence she asked for a speaking part the next time we performed the play.
Thank you forum for the information that you provide! I would not have known how special a tortoise could be as a pet and family member.
Ken
