The Pet Project: Cute and cuddly vicious versus

By Lisa Wheeler

Illustrated by Zachariah Ohara

Vocabulary:Science minded formulate nudging ryeSeldom intrepid query cooing sereneReeks odiferous precise bestiary prehensileStrutting clones voracious ravaging pillaging

Writing Prompts about Pets

1. Have children write a poem about their dream pet. There are no rules, here. Just fun. They can even draw a picture if they would like.

2. Write a story from the point of view of one of your children’s pets.3. Describe your favorite pet. What do you love about it? If you do not have a pet, describe

the one you would like to have the most.4. Invent a brand new pet. What would it look like? How would you have to care for it?5. Write a conversation you would have with your pet (or dream pet) if you could talk with

animals. (You could even read passages from Doctor Doolittle to go along with this prompt.)

6. What if you had a pet like your favorite cartoon character? Who would it be? What kind of adventures would you have?

7. If you would like to have a pet, make a list of the things you would have to do to care for your pet. If you already own one, write a paragraph about how you care for your pet.

8. You can choose to be the pet of anyone in the world. Who would it be? What kind of animal would you be?

9. Which pets are the best? Why?10. Let your students finish this story: “If I were a pet, I would be a _____, and I would….”11. What would the world look like if cats acted like dogs and dogs acted like cats?12. What if we kept wild animals for pets? Which one would you chose?13. What would happen if you lost your pet? How would you feel? What would you do?14. If someone were to care for your pet (or dream pet) while you were away, what things

would they need15. What would your day be like if you were a cat? Or a dog? Or a fish? What sorts of things

would you do? What would be your favorite time of day?16. Build a proposal that will persuade a classroom teacher or parent that it is time to take on

a pet.

Math:Pet shop: Have students create cards with pets and the price to purchase them. Have the students create math word problems that involve using the cards.

Favorite pet graph. Have the students graph their favorite pet. Which one has more? Less? The same? What is the difference between one and the other?

Tally mark poll. Have students answer the questions. Then they count the tally marks and write the number using various forms such as number, word form, extended form, etc.

Science:Discuss with students the various animals and the habitats.

Discuss with students the food chains. Have students choose an animal and have them create a food chain.

Discuss ecosystems and how animals depend on each other and their surroundings.

Discuss with students how animals adapt to their environments and their habitats.

Social Studies:Discuss with students the goods and services.

What supplies are needed to take care of your pet? How much do they cost? Is it a fixed expense or a variable expense?

Art: Have students create a pet diorama which can include the habitat and food chain.

Wild Thing

Ask the students to close their eyes and imagine the craziest creature they can dream up. Maybe it has only one leg, hops over tall buildings, and smells like bubble gum. Students are to write a description of this animal giving as much detail as possible. What does it look like? Where does it live? What sounds does it make? What foods does it eat? Is it fierce or friendly? -OR- Have them write make-believe stories about their pretend animals.

Website:This website has ideas on creating a rainbow pet. Ex. Rainbow Shape dog http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/RainbowShapeAnimals.htm