Social Studies Lesson Plan

Overview:A series of recalls of dangerous pet food products has those who own cats and dogs worried. Who is responsible for inspecting and ensuring safety? The FDA is, but does that group have enough time and personnel to focus more on this issue? What are pet owners to do?

Suggested time allotment: Two days to explore what the laws are related to pet foods and their safety. Additional time to interview area veterinarians or pet store owners and pet owners in your school.

Objectives

Students will:

1. Research pet food safety laws – what is required in general
2. Explore what fellow students consume.
3. Consult with a veterinarian about what he or she thinks about pet food safety.
4. Present your findings to the class.
5. Consider a campaign to improve pet food inspection and oversight.

Curriculum Standards from the National Council for the Social Studies: Thematic Strands, from “Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies.”
• VI — Power, authority and governance. Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create and change structures of power, authority, and governance…. High school students develop their abilities in the use of abstract principles. They study the various systems that have been developed over the centuries to allocate and employ power and authority in the governing process. At every level, learners should have opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to and participate in the workings of the various levels of power, authority, and governance.
• VI – Production, distribution and consumption. Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people organize for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.…. High school students develop economic perspectives and deeper understanding of key economic concepts and processes through systematic study of a range of economic and sociopolitical systems, with particular emphasis on the examination of domestic and global economic policy options related to matters such as health care, resource use, unemployment, and trade.

Resources and materials:
Web sites with information:
• For a good overview, read the MSNBC article by Matthew Philips, “Limited resources: A tainted food scare linked to the deaths of at least 16 animals raises questions about the regulation of pet foods,” March 21, 2007.
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• A Baltimore Sun article covers additional efforts to help the situation. “More oversight of pet food urged; Scare spurs advocates to seek safeguards as concerns over safety of food supply deepen,” by Jonathan D. Rockoff and Laura Barnhardt, ran April 7, 2007.
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• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a great deal of information on its Web site, including a long list of withdrawals and alerts.
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• At least one member of Congress announced he was asking the FDA to clarify its actions since the pet food scare began. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) posted a press release about this April 1, 2007.
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