Lesson Plan - Which Pet Should You Choose?

Watch a Video: A History of Pets
Ask: How are dogs, cats, and fish different from the other animals mentioned in the video? 

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know. 

• consequences
• instinct

Set a Purpose for Reading
Point out the “As You Read” question. Have students consider whether wild animals make good pets. 

1. What does the author mean by the term “animal influencers”?
Animal influencers are animals that people have posted about on social media. They have a large following and can influence the way people think and act.
^{R.4 Determine Meaning}

2. Terry Messmer says that when people keep a wild animal as a pet, “there are consequences for the animal and for the human.” What consequences are described in the article?
Consequences for the animal can include not having the right diet or enough space to roam. Consequences for the human can include danger from diseases or from the animal’s unpredictable behavior.
^{R.2 Key Details}

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Buyer Beware”?
The sidebar’s purpose is to give advice. Raccoon owner Sarah Thyme offers pointers on what to think about when deciding whether to get a wild animal as a pet.
^{R.7 Text Features}

FEATURED SKILL: Integrating Information
Use the skill builder “Watch and Read” to have students compare the article and video. 
^{R.9 Integrate Information}