Pet Perspective

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Explore the world from the point-of-view of a favorite pet.

Subjects: Language Arts, Science

Grade Levels: preK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• discuss the importance of perspective in writing,
• define "point-of-view," and
• write a story from the point-of-view of a pet.

Keywords
Pets, point-of-view, perspective

Materials Needed

• pencils and paper

Procedure
The interest generated through writing is often heightened through the use of a unique perspective. In this activity, students write from the point-of-view of a household or classroom pet.

Discuss something that the class has recently read and the perspective from which it was written. Explain that the perspective of a written work is considered "point-of-view." Talk about how the point-of-view contributed to the effectiveness of the piece recently read. What other points-of-view might have been used? How would another point of view have changed the story?

Nearly every person who has spent time with a pet has an amazing or humorous story about the pet to share, and often that story includes a bit of insight into what the pet might have been "thinking" at the time. Because pets are such a large part of our lives, people frequently project human traits and emotions onto them. Instruct your students to choose from one of the following options to create their own stories from the perspective of a pet.

"My Family" (or "My Class")
In this assignment, students write about their families or the class from the perspective of a household or classroom pet. If neither exists, students may create an imaginary pet and write from its perspective.

"My Day"
Write about the real and/or imagined activities of a pet throughout a single day. This assignment may be completed in journal form.

"A Day in the Life of a _____"
Research the work and training of a seeing-eye dog, police dog, or another service animal and describe its activities during a typical day from the animal's point-of-view.

Guide your students to a level of creativity that you would like to see in this assignment. If you choose, students may focus on true activities, or you may invite them to be fanciful and free in their work.

Assessment
Collect all compositions. Student submissions must meet classroom writing expectations.

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