Do Animals Matter?
Lesson Plan
Grades:
4-5
Ages: 9-11 years
Time:
This lesson should take place over a series of days. Each session is
approximately 45 minutes.
Character Pillars:
Kindness
Citizenship
Respect
Standards:
Standard
Area
Performance Description
English/Language Arts
English/Language Arts
English/Language Arts
English/Language Arts
Applied Learning
Writing
Writing
Speaking, Listening, Viewing
Speaking, Listening, Viewing
Communication Tools and
Techniques
Communication Tools and
Techniques
Information Tools and
Techniques
Information Tools and
Techniques
E2a
E2e
E3c
E3d
A2a
Applied Learning
Applied Learning
Applied Learning
© 2009 American Humane Association
A2c
A3a
A3b
Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
Rationale: Learning to recognize and use a variety of persuasive techniques that incorporate
speaking, reading and writing is an important part of the educational curriculum. Students
will research information about a particular animal, and then apply that information in the
development of a persuasive presentation. The ultimate purpose of this lesson is to create
awareness of the value and many benefits that come from the presence of animals in our lives.
Behavioral Objectives:
Students will:
• Learn about and implement various techniques of persuasion.
• Research information about a particular animal.
• Develop a presentation utilizing persuasive techniques.
• Identify the character pillars of kindness, citizenship and respect.
• Become aware of the ways animals enrich our lives.
• Be able to articulate the value of animals.
Materials:
• List of or access to research materials (books, magazines, websites, etc.)
• “Persuasive Techniques Worksheet” (included)
• “Persuasive Technique Matching Worksheet” and “Answer Key” (included)
• “Persuasive Project Guidelines Worksheet” (included)
• “Do Animals Matter? Planning Worksheet” (included)
• “Persuasive Project Rubric” (included)
• Dry-erase board or chalkboard
• Optional: Sample advertisements from magazines, newspapers, etc.
Procedure:
Set:
• Explain to the students that they are going to learn about various persuasive techniques
through the development of a persuasive presentation.
• The students’ job is to identify an animal that is important to them and convince others that
the animal is important as well.
• Students will also become more conscious of the ways that animals enrich
their lives.
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
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Lesson 1: Discussion
• The first lesson addresses the various methods of persuasion.
• Begin a discussion with the following questions:
•• “If you wanted to convince another person to think the same way that you do about a
particular thing, how could you convince him or her?”
•• “For example, how could you talk someone into rooting for your favorite baseball team?
Or talk them into getting the same backpack that you have?”
• Ask different students to explain what they would say to convince someone to think the way
they do.
•• Be sure to make it clear that there are no right or wrong responses; different techniques,
ideas and suggestions are all correct.
• Continue the discussion by pointing out how various ideas are similar or different.
• Tell the class that the techniques they came up with for convincing others to think the same
way they do are called “persuasion.”
• Next, distribute the “Persuasive Techniques Worksheet” to the students.
•• Depending on the students’ ability and experience with this subject, the educator may
wish to limit the students to just a few of the persuasive techniques by crossing out
those that will not be discussed.
• Review the “Persuasive Techniques Worksheet” with the students.
• Suggested additional activities:
•• Have students share verbally or write down their own examples of each technique.
•• Ask students to find ads from magazines or websites that are examples of different
persuasive techniques.
• Provide each student with the “Persuasive Technique Matching Worksheet” to reinforce the
different types of persuasion.
•• Instruct students to cut out all the squares, and then match each example with one of
the types of persuasive techniques.
•• Make students aware that some examples may match more than one type of persuasive
technique. Use this overlap as a point of class discussion.
•• Instruct students to refer to the “Persuasive Techniques Worksheet” as
a guide.
•• Some students may require additional assistance.
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
•• Be sure to allow enough time to complete the activity.
• When all students have completed the “Persuasive Technique Matching Worksheet,” review
the activity as a group and discuss the correct answers.
•• An answer key is provided to assist you.
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
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Lesson 2: Persuasive Projects
• Distribute the “Persuasive Project Guidelines Worksheet” to each student and explain,
in detail, the requirements of the project.
• Explain how the project will be evaluated (refer to “Persuasive Project Rubric”
worksheet).
»» The Project Rubric is based on four elements:
•• Creativity
•• Information
•• Visual/Auditory Appeal
•• Persuasive Techniques
• Assist the students in choosing the animals that they would like to research.
»» Be sure to encourage them to choose a particular animal that has impacted their
lives, rather than a general category of animal.
»» The animal they choose could be one that is alive today, or one that they knew in the
past.
»» Example: Rather than just choosing “polar bears,” encourage the student to identify
why polar bears were chosen. Did the student see a particular polar bear at a zoo
or aquarium that made him love polar bears? Was there a moment that a polar bear
changed the life of that child?
»» Example: Rather than choosing “dogs,” encourage the student to identify why she
chose dogs. Perhaps her grandmother’s dog was very special to her, or perhaps a dog
was her first best friend.
• Distribute the “Do Animals Matter? Planning Worksheet” for students to complete.
• Allow students time to think about and develop their projects.
• Provide support for students needing help in structuring their project.
• Develop a schedule for students to share their presentations.
»» Educators may wish to limit presentations to the classroom, or expand presentations
to other classes, the entire school or the community.
»» It may be beneficial to pair presentations with events such as Be Kind to
Animals Week®, Earth Day, etc.
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
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Lesson 3: Presentations
• Have students present their persuasive projects. This may take several class sessions.
• Utilize the “Persuasive Project Rubric” worksheet to evaluate each student.
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
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Lesson 4: Reflections
• This is an opportunity for the students to discuss each other’s presentations, the
animals that were chosen, the roles animals play in our lives and the pillars of
character.
• Encourage students to discuss their answers to the following:
•• What are some ways the various animals enriched the lives of each presenter?
•• How would the presenter’s life be different if she or he had never encountered
that animal?
•• What are some ways the various animals (or animals in general) enrich the world
around us?
•• How would humans be different if animals were not in our lives?
•• How would the world be different if animals did not exist?
•• What are your feelings about the animals from each other’s presentations, both
before and after the presentations?
•• What are your feelings about animals in general, both before and after the
presentations?
•• How have the presentations affected your perspective of animals and their value
to the world around us?
•• What have you learned from this project?
• Record key words from the students’ responses on the board.
• Next, ask students to list the pillars of character and record them on the board (www.
josephsoninstitute.org).
•• Trustworthiness
•• Respect
•• Fairness
•• Caring
•• Citizenship
•• Responsibility
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
• Encourage the students to discuss and give examples of each of the pillars.
• Encourage students to discuss their answers to the following:
•• Which presentations, situations or animals demonstrate examples of the six pillars of
character that were previously discussed?
•• Which pillars of character correlate to the role of animals in our lives in general?
•• How would the absence of animals in our lives change our character?
•• Do animals matter?
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© 2009 American Humane Association
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
Persuasive Techniques Worksheet
1. “Bandwagon” techniques try to convince people that a product is good because “everyone
else likes it”; they encourage people to “jump on the bandwagon.”
Ex: “Everyone loves golden retrievers, so you should too!”
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. “Testimonial” techniques involve someone, usually a famous person, stating (or
“testifying”) that the product is good because they tried it and it worked.
Ex: A famous actor speaks in a commercial about how great Brand X Pet Food is.
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. “Emotional Appeal” techniques use emotions to sway people toward a product or an idea.
Ex: A commercial shows a puppy running up the stairs alongside a child. As the dog ages,
he can no longer go up the stairs. The commercial is for dog food that helps dogs have more
energy.
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. “Plain Folks” techniques promote ideas or products by showing a person (sometimes
a famous person) in a way that makes him or her appear like “the guy next door” —
someone who average people can relate to.
Ex: The mayor is featured in a TV commercial, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, asking people to
care about the environment as much as he does.
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. “False Cause and Effect” techniques try to convince the audience that if they do one thing,
like use a particular product or think a particular way, the outcome will be always be
predictable.
Ex: “Using Brand X Cat Food will make your cat live longer.”
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
6. “Name Calling” techniques make an opponent, idea or product look bad in order to make
another one seem better.
Ex: In a detergent commercial, Brand X Detergent does not remove the stains from a white
shirt as well as “Super Clean Detergent” does.
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. “Card Stacking” techniques tell the facts about one side only.
Ex: A shelter worker tells a future pet adopter only the good things about the Siamese cat
that she is interested in adopting.
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
8. “Glittering Generalities” techniques exaggerate an issue or product using general,
unsupported and often meaningless statements.
Ex: An advertisement for dog shampoo states that it is the best shampoo on the market
because all dogs love it!
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
9. “Caricature” techniques feature an exaggerated drawing and are mostly used in political
cartoons.
Ex: A funny drawing that exaggerates specific features, such as making a mouth very big.
Ex:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
Persuasive Technique Matching Worksheet
1. Cut out each square below
2. Match each persuasive technique with the example of that technique.
A commercial shows a wellknown actor walking a dog,
asking for volunteers to spend
time at their local shelter.
Card Stacking
A billboard for an animal
shelter shows a sad dog hiding
under a bush. In big letters it
states, “Every dog deserves a
good home.”
Testimonial
A bag of cat food says that
people who don’t use this brand
are “foolish.”
Name Calling
A shelter worker tells a future
adopter only the positive
things about having a puppy.
Emotional Appeal
Plain Folks
A famous actor tells how
wonderful a particular dog
trainer is.
A newspaper ad for adopting
shelter dogs includes a cartoon
of a dog with exaggerated large,
sad eyes.
“Giving your dog this special
treat will make him happy and
healthy.”
False Cause and Effect
A sign in a local animal shelter
states that their pets are the best
on the planet!
Caricature
“Everyone should adopt a dog
from their local shelter.”
Glittering Generalities
Bandwagon
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
Persuasive Technique Matching Worksheet
Answer Key
Card Stacking
A shelter worker tells a future adopter only the positive things about having a puppy.
Plain Folks
A TV commercial shows a well-known actor walking a shelter dog, asking for volunteers to
spend time at their local shelter.
Name Calling
A bag of cat food says that people who don’t use this brand are “foolish.”
False Cause and Effect
“Giving your dog this special treat will make him happy and healthy.”
Testimonial
A famous actor tells how wonderful a particular dog trainer is.
Bandwagon
“Everyone should adopt a dog from their local shelter.”
Emotional Appeal
A billboard for an animal shelter shows a sad dog hiding under a bush. In big letters it states,
“Every dog deserves a good home.”
Caricature
A newspaper ad for adopting shelter dogs includes a cartoon of a dog with exaggerated large,
sad eyes.
Glittering Generalities
A sign in a local animal shelter states that their pets are the best on the planet!
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
Persuasive Project Guidelines Worksheet
Step 1: Choose an animal
Think of an animal that has impacted your life in a positive way. It should be one particular
special animal that you can think of.
It could be a pet that belonged to you or a friend or relative, or one you saw on TV, at the zoo
or aquarium, or one you watch outside. The animal could be one you remember from the
past, or one you know currently. Choose any animal that is or was special to you.
Step 2: Choose a format
Using any creative format you want, your job is to persuade your class that your animal is the
best animal on earth, and they should care about the animal too!
Creative formats may include:
Poster
Radio spot*
Song
Brochure
Play* Poem
TV commercial*
Magazine or newspaper ad
Drawing, painting or sculpture*
You may also choose any other format that you have discussed with your teacher.
* Hints:
• If you choose to develop a radio spot, play or TV commercial, limit the number of
characters to no more than three.
• If you choose to develop a drawing, painting or sculpture, be sure to also develop a
persuasive verbal explanation that you will present to the audience when you present
the artwork.
Step 3: Create your presentation
• Consider the persuasive techniques that you will use in your presentation.
• Research information about the animal you chose.
• Complete the “Do Animals Matter? Planning Worksheet.”
• Organize your information from the “Do Animals Matter? Planning Worksheet” into a
presentation.
• Remember to focus on the goal: to convince others that the animal you have chosen is
important, and they should care about the animal too!
Step 4: Make your presentation
Step 5: Have fun!
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
Do Animals Matter? Planning Worksheet
Species of animal: ____________________________________________________________
Why is this animal special to you?
When did you first meet, see or hear about this animal?
Describe how you feel or felt when you saw this animal.
What would your life be like if you never knew about this animal?
How would the world and other people be different if this animal never existed?
How has this animal made you a better person?
Why should other people care about this animal?
The form of presentation you are using (ex: TV ad, brochure, etc.):_______________________
Persuasive technique you are using:__________________________________________________
Things to include in your presentation:
• Important facts
• Possible “hooks” (or positive points)
• Persuasive techniques
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Do Animals Matter? Lesson Plan
Persuasive Project Rubric
Creativity
Information
4
Presentation
is cleverly
and uniquely
presented.
Demonstrates
great creativity.
3
Presentation
is cleverly
or uniquely
presented.
Demonstrates
creativity.
Information is
accurate and
complete.
Information is
accurate but
not entirely
complete.
Presentation
is uniquely
Visual/Auditory visually/
Appeal
auditorily
appealing.
Persuasive
Techniques
15
Interesting use
of persuasive
techniques.
© 2009 American Humane Association
Presentation
is visually and
auditorily
appealing.
Adequate use
of persuasive
techniques.
2
1
The
presentation
is somewhat
creative.
The
presentation
lacks creativity.
Information
is somewhat
accurate and
somewhat
complete.
Presentation
is somewhat
visually/
auditorily
appealing.
Information
is mostly
inaccurate and
incomplete.
Use of
persuasive
techniques is
weak.
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Presentation
has little
visual/auditory
appeal.
No persuasive
techniques
were used.