LifeTown Friendship Circle Registry ShabbatKit The Circle Connect LifeTown Gift Shop LifeTown Shoppes Curriculum
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Grade Level: 3rd Grade

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Money Management

    • All activities in the Pet Shop are free of charge.
    • Students can earn money by sweeping & vacuuming the pet shop

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Following Directions

    • Follow instructions given by pet shop clerk regarding:
      1. Petting animals
      2. Feeding animals
      3. Grooming animals
      4. Safety with the animals, including how to handle them, how to feed them, how to keep their environment clean
      5. How to play animal games
      6. Waiting your turn with animals and games

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Problem Solving

    • If you are startled by an animal noise:

      Take a deep breath, remind yourself that the animals are in safe enclosures, and it’s okay to step back
    • If you are nervous about animals:

      You don’t have to touch every animal — start by watching from a distance, and get closer only when you’re ready
    • Let the pet shop staff know if you are uncomfortable: “I’m a little scared. Can you help me?”
    • If two students want to see the same animal at the same time:

      Practice taking turns — one person goes first, then the other
    • If an animal won’t come to you:

      Be patient. Animals have their own comfort levels too. Try sitting quietly and waiting

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Functional Communication

    • Greet the shop clerk when you enter: “Hello!” or a wave
    • Tell the clerk what you’d like to do: “I want to pet an animal” or “Can I do a job here?”
    • Indicate which animal you’d like to see:
      1. Verbally: “Can I see the rabbit?” or “I’d like to pet the guinea pig”
      2. Non-verbally: Point to the animal you’d like to interact with
    • Ask questions about the animals: “What is that animal’s name?” or “What does it eat?”
    • Practice gentle voice: use a calm, quiet voice around animals so you don’t startle them
    • Say goodbye and thank the staff when you leave

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Time Management

    • If someone else is petting the animal you want to see, wait patiently for your turn
    • Practice asking: “How much longer until I can have a turn?”
    • The pet shop has multiple activities (petting, feeding, grooming, games) — decide what you want to do and plan your time
    • Sorting and matching games take a few minutes — make sure to try them if you have time after seeing the animals
    • Don’t spend all your time on one activity — balance your visit so you can try several things

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Budgeting

    • All pet shop activities are free — this is a great stop when you want a fun experience without spending money
    • You can also earn money here by doing jobs: sweeping, vacuuming, feeding animals, walking the dog
    • Plan strategically: visit the pet shop to earn money when you need more funds for purchases at other stores
    • Ask the staff how much each job pays so you can plan how much to earn
    • Track your earnings and add them to your wallet total

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Safety and Security

    • Don’t put your fingers in bird cages or animal enclosures unless a staff member tells you it’s safe
    • Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching animals
    • Handle animals gently — don’t squeeze, pull tails, or pick up animals without staff permission
    • Listen to the staff’s safety instructions for each animal — different animals have different rules
    • If an animal bites or scratches you, tell a staff member right away
    • Put any money you earn directly into your wallet

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Employment

    • Fill out job application
    • Interview for a job
    • Job duties
      1. General cleaning of the shop (i.e. cleaning counters, sweeping)
      2. Feeding animals
      3. Walking dog

  • Jeff & Charlie’s Pet Shop — Independent Living Skills

    • Responsibility and Care:

      Practice caring for another living thing — feeding, grooming, and making sure the animal is comfortable teaches responsibility
    • Empathy and Awareness:

      Observe the animal’s body language and respond appropriately. Is it relaxed? Nervous? Learning to read non-verbal cues helps in all relationships
    • Gentle Touch and Motor Control:

      Petting and handling animals practices fine motor skills and the concept of being gentle
    • Overcoming Fears:

      For students who are nervous around animals, the pet shop is a safe, guided environment to gradually build comfort
    • Career Exploration:

      Jobs in the pet shop (feeding, cleaning, walking) introduce the concept of animal care as a potential career path — veterinarian, groomer, shelter worker