Jun. 3, 2009 - When I grow up I want to be a Veterinarian e- book/ unit study published by the Old Schoolhouse magazine is for you.
When I Grow Up I Want to Be…….
“When I grow up I want to work with puppies.” “When I grow up I want to work at Sea World.” “When I grow up I want to work at the zoo.”
Children love to share their dreams of the future, and explore the possibility of different careers when they grow up. Do your children like pets, enjoy going to the zoo, dream of riding horses, or ask about the trainers at Sea World? “When I grow up I want to be a Veterinarian” e- book/ unit study published by the Old Schoolhouse magazine is for you. This all encompassing unit study offers learning in the form of reading, writing, science, math, poetry, art, research, and creativity. It is an all in one unit study, presenting a whole gambit of learning opportunities easily adapted to various ages, learning abilities, and learning styles.
The study is set up with an intriguing story about the life of one veterinarian, Brad Christensen, is perfect for reading together as a family. The veterinarian is especially good at expressing gratefulness to his father for introducing him to care of animals as a child, and to God for the blessing of his many talents and gifts he has received as a Veterinarian. Following the story, the reader learns the requirements of a veterinarian as it relates to school, advanced specialization, and to the possibility of scholarships for veterinarian education and organizations interested in propelling veterinarian education and talents into the world. The survey about the general life and education of a veterinarian ends by updating the reader on potential income as a veterinarian in a variety of settings.
The study is followed by an in depth analysis at one animal, the owl. The owl study gives the student the opportunity to research and learn about owls as types of birds, as they relate to other birds, their particular features, and means to study and learn more about them. Finally, the inquiry is completed with a variety of fun, creative activities easily adapted for your child’s needs and enjoyment in this learning opportunity.
The initial story recounts the life of a veterinarian who first began to work with animals at his father’s side providing care for large animals. He narrates his experience with his father and further delves into his pursuits as a veterinarian caring for both large and small animals in a career spanning many diverse areas of animal medicine including office work stateside and missionary work across the globe. The chronicle about treating animals in the missionary field of Africa is especially fascinating and motivating in the use of God’s talents and skills to help others across around the world. Mr. Christensen is remarkable as he comments on the deplorable conditions he encountered and motivating as he explains his treatment of the animals and the difference he was able to make in the lives of local people in need. He even talks about treating a camel, and creating a makeshift clinic in an alleyway.
Mr. Christensen delved further into the various opportunities available to veterinarians including zoo work, ranches, offices, farms, specialty parks, missions, and even covers opportunities to work in research and statistics as a Veterinarian studying diseases and how to heal them. He continues his note worthy investigation by examining the education required to become a Veterinarian. Children who may be dwindling in their study interests, but excited at the perspective of working with animals may find some incentive in their continued pursuit of higher education. Not only does he discuss the importance of higher education to become a Veterinarian, but Mr. Christensen discusses the small number of schools offering Veterinary Medicine studies, 28 colleges total, and explores various means of paying for such an education including the military, scholarships, and involvement with education driven veterinarian organizations nationwide.
The unit study then probes into the available pay for Veterinarians in a variety of animals and with various years of experience. This is then followed by quiz based on the reading, encouraging comprehension in the reading process. Writing opportunities are also given with the help of multiple creative prompts sure to light up the mind, dreams, and desire to explore veterinarian opportunities in any child’s mind. The reading and learning activities are rounded out with science activities involving zoo applications, rescue center examination, and online scientific learning prospects.
The story of the life of this astounding Veterinarian, Brad Christensen is followed by the occasion to perform further research and scientific study in the life of one particular animal, the owl. One example of this fascinating study is the fact that the owl has no gizzard as other birds do to aid in digestion. This owl study also provides the chance to see in a larger format the parts of the owl and their function, the occasion to perform scientific research using owl pellets, and the artistic opportunity to color a large picture of an owl and write an acrostic poem about the amazing owl.
The final activities of the study are realistic veterinary math. This math is especially helpful for children who may balk at math, but love animals. They gain an insight into the real world use and applicability of math as Veterinarian. Vocabulary lessons, a word search, and crossword finish the study.
I found the study to be intriguing and fascinating. My children especially enjoyed learning about Brad Christensen and his experiences as a veterinarian. They also liked learning about the potential pay opportunities as a Veterinarian. We read the story together and discussed the importance of his work as a missionary and the use of his talents as given by God to help others in the world. The only drawback I found was the organization of the study, which can easily reshuffle and reorganized by any homeschooling parent. We reorganized the study to have the math, vocabulary, and puzzles follow the story due to their general veterinary content, and finished with the owl study as a more in- depth occasion. Following the provided organization seemed to b a little chaotic as it skipped from general veterinary medicine to the owl study, and back to the general veterinary medicine study with the math and puzzles in the end. We also were perplexed by the provision of a funnel to cut out and use as people use to when no hearing aids were available as they are today. It seemed out of place in a veterinary study. However, we decided to pull it out and use it as an additional fun activity on a different day when we are doing arts and crafts or playing outside and want to listen better to birds and other air traffic.
Comprehensively speaking, I recommend this study for any family with children interested in animals large or small. It is an interesting, informative, and fun opportunity to step into the life of an accomplished Veterinarian, explore many career opportunities within this one specialty, and the opportunity to use many learning platforms in one intriguing unit study.
