Adopt a Desk Pet! Wait…What is a Desk Pet?

Have you ever considered introducing desk pets in your classroom? It’s a simple yet effective concept that can bring a smile to your student’s faces. All you need to do is purchase mini erasers and announce to your class that they now have the opportunity to adopt these adorable creatures as their very own pets. You can establish any criteria you desire for eligibility, just like selecting a special prize from the classroom box. Desk pets can inspire and motivate your students to do their best work! Once they’ve adopted their pets, they can keep them at their desks, creating a comfortable and inviting learning environment.

Have these applications ready at the beginning of the year for your students who want to ‘adopt’ a desk pet. Provide them to your students as an introduction to their new desk pet behavior management opportunity. Using this template, students will first need to show exemplary behavior and then submit an application to adopt a desk pet, just like adopting a real pet! This application is designed for older students, as it requires a bit more thought and writing prowess.

How to Use Desk Pets in the Classroom

Desk pets are a simple classroom management concept. They are based on the simple idea of finding something that your students love and use that as a motivator. They are often used as part of a larger classroom management plan, such as a classroom token/cash economy system. Many teachers have desk pets available for purchase. This means that the students will be working throughout the week to earn their money which they can use to purchase the pets or the habitat materials.

Check out our version for lower grades below!