Kensey Jones, a volunteer at RACC (Richmond Animal Care & Control) and a second grade teacher, decided to combine her wholesome activities together. Despite their lack of language skills, children can be very persuasive. The second-graders at St. Michael’s Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia, practiced their persuasive writing under a very peculiar set of circumstances.
What did they do, exactly? They tried writing from a shelter animal’s perspective to persuade potential adopters to, well, adopt. They wrote cute texts and drew portraits of the animals all by themselves. Scroll down to read the whole story, and see how it turned out! Spoilers: the mission was successful.
Second grade teacher and shelter volunteer Kensey Jones wanted to give her children a task to write a persuasive essay from the perspective of shelter animals
Image credits: racc_shelter
Kensey Jones has given an exclusive interview to Bored Panda about the project and her formative life experiences that led her to her lifelong passion for animals.
“When I was a young child, I used to always surround myself with as many animals as possible. I remember, as a 3-year-old, loving and playing with my neighbor’s baby goat, which they named “Kensey” in honor of me. When I was 8, I was the proud owner of two hamsters, one fish and our family dog “Tiffy”.
Animals always brought me such joy, and I always felt a deep connection to them. I wanted to help and save as many animals as I could, and I did everything in my power to persuade my parents to let me adopt a kitten who was born in a neighbor’s garage.”
She tested the idea by bringing a shelter dog to a class
Image credits: racc_shelter
“My parents were unsure if our dog, Tiffy, would get along with a cat since she had never lived with one. As an eight-year-old, I was determined to help our dog transition smoothly, so that we could keep this helpless kitten. I rode my bike to the garage every day after school, tucked in my shirt, put the kitten down my shirt, and rode her back to our house. I spent hours with our dog and this kitten and helped them learn to get along. This determination paid off, and I adopted this kitten and named her Callie.”
The children loved it, learned how the shelter operates and inspired them to do the creative task
Image credits: racc_shelter
“As a teacher, I tell stories to my students about my pets frequently. I have used them in other assignments as well. When I teach adjectives, I usually show a picture of my animals, and the children write describing words about them. We then turn these descriptions into sentences.
That’s when the idea came to me. I thought about all of the adoptable animals at Richmond Animal Care and Control and how my students could use their writing skills to help these animals find their forever homes. The children eagerly wrote their papers and drew very impressive illustrations to accompany their writing. We quickly saw about 8 dogs get adopted the first weekend! We now have 21 out of 24 animals in their forever homes.”
Kensey chose those shelter pets that are usually harder to adopt
Image credits: racc_shelter
“The children are so delighted to see that their writings truly helped these “difficult to adopt” animals find their homes. We start each day’s lesson with a RACC update, and the students cheer with excitement when one of the animals is adopted. It’s a beautiful sight! They did this. Their writing changed the life of that particular shelter animal. They feel amazing. Their voice was heard! They made a difference in their community.
Because their writings made such a huge impact, I will definitely do this project each year. Not only did it teach the children about persuasive writing, it taught them empathy, cause and effect, and more importantly, that they can make a difference in their community, even at seven or eight years old.”
The children tried to persuade the potential adopters from the shelter animal’s perspective
Image credits: racc_shelter
“Hi, I am Gale Weathers. I would like a home so much. I have a fine life here, but I would like my own dog bed a lot. I would like a toy and a big yard. I would like to be the only pet in the home”
Image credits: racc_shelter
“Hola, my name is Duquesa. Yo necesito to be adopted. Yo necesito food and agua. Please adopt me.”
This persuasive writing task taught many things, including empathy, persuasion, and connecting with the audience
Image credits: racc_shelter
“Hi, my name is Eddie Bauer. I want to be adopted. I need to be the only dog in my forever home. I will also be a very good dog.”
Image credits: racc_shelter
“Hi, my name is Sleigh Ride! Do you want to adopt me? You can train me if you want! Can you put a heart on my collar? I am a girl. Who are you? You can snuggle with me! I promise that I will be a good dog. You can even sleep with me if you want! I love going on walks and playing outside. I am a medium-sized dog. I am getting bored of this place. Would you love me forever? Love, a cute puppy.”
Image credits: racc_shelter
“Hi! My name is Pebble. Can you please adopt me? I’m begging you!! I am very playful, and I love people! Once again, can you please adopt me!!!”
Image credits: racc_shelter
“Hi, I’m Famous Amos. Please, please, please adopt me! I love love, love belly rubs. I’m a very cute dog. Don’t you love my name? Am I a very cute dog because I think I am? Do you love me? I hope you do because then you can adopt me! I love you too. Will you take care of me and take me to a home?”
Image credits: racc_shelter
“Hi, my name is Yosemite. I am a boy. I like the animal shelter, but you would be the best! If you’re looking for a pet please, please, please take me home. It would really make my day if you adopted me. I love cuddles, kisses and extra love I’m begging you, please adopt me.”
Image credits: racc_shelter
“Hello. My name is Sunday Special. I would love to be adopted. If you do adopt me, I hope I will brighten up your Sunday like SUN! You’ll be my Sunday Special and I hope I’ll be yours!”
All of the 23 dogs and a cat were adopted
Image credits: racc_shelter
Trinity Episcopal School and the RACC shelter continue their collaborations. This is a photo from Junior Work Week
Kensey thinks that it was very beneficial, and other schools and shelters should copy this
Image credits: racc_shelter
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Image credits: www.facebook.com
