Pet Pellets

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Grades 3-12 create and design advertising for a tempting new pet food!

Subjects: Language Arts, Visual Arts, Science

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• create an imaginary pet food,
• analyze and identify types of propaganda, and
• design packaging and advertising for the pet food.

Keywords
Pets, propaganda, advertising

Materials Needed

• newspaper, magazine, or other type of ad for a pet product
• paper and pencils
• assorted art materials and tools as required
• Internet access (optional)
• copies of the Pet Pellets work sheet

Procedure
Advertisers know that the right combination of appealing gimmicks can bring out the buyer in every young person. In this lesson, students learn about the ways companies influence what people purchase in order to boost their own profits as they create and market their own pet food.

Begin this activity by sharing a newspaper, magazine, or other ad for a pet product. Ask the students to identify the target audience and discuss what effect the ad has on the group. Are the students interested in the product? Would they choose to purchase it for a family pet? What about the ad "works," and what might be changed to make it more attractive to young pet owners?

If you choose, visit the PBS site for kids called Don't Buy It. This site explains many of the techniques advertisers use to "fool" the public. Then introduce some of the classic ways ads work through the information provided by Propaganda Techniques. (Older students may read the material for themselves, while the information may serve as a guide for the teacher to share some important points with younger children.) Sources about propaganda from the school library might be used in place of these Internet resources.

Working in small groups, have students consider a new pet food product. Distribute copies of the Pet Pellets work sheet to guide their work. When students are prepared to create a "package" for their product, give them access to necessary art supplies and tools. Have the students share their advertising ideas and products with the whole group. Have them identify the types of propaganda used by the various groups in their original advertising.

Extension Activity
This activity may be extended to any type of pet product, particularly with mature students. Refer students to pet product Web sites such as PETsMART for ideas.

Assessment
Collect handouts for evaluation. All submissions should be complete and reflect adequate thought and development. Also collect student-created prototype packages. Display with the work sheets if desired.

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