Teacher Ellen

Death... and life

Teacher Ellen
Our preschool pet rats, Flower and Pink, died recently. We respectfully examined their dead bodies in class.
First, we read a book that helped us understand that everything has a beginning and an end, and in-between is living. We learned that it is often true that smaller animals live shorter lives. Rats usually live about 2 years. It was an interesting discussion, as we looked at and touched the rats.
"We live almost 100 years!"
"They feel cold." We talked about being warm blooded animals.
"When we take off our shirts and go in a cold bath, we'll be cold."
"Let's cut them up and eat them."
"We should bury them."
"Bury them, cause Dad buried a dead chicken."
"And my brother buried a dead bird."
"We buried a dog when I wasn't born."
"Um, remember that time we buried a dead bird?" 
We talked about what we could say to the rats when we buried them:
"Have a nice time."
"Your burying burrow is gone..."
"We love you forever, rats."
"I love you!"
"You're the best rats, ever!"
"I will love you forever and ever!"
We chose a spot to bury the rats in the Wildlife Sanctuary. We placed some stones on top, and we all touched the stones as we said our final goodbye.
"Have a nice time in your dead life!"