Article
Art by Jeff Harvey

Cats or Dogs?

Layla says cats are better pets than dogs. Nathan thinks dogs are better pets than cats! What do you think?

From the March / April 2021 Issue
Download and Print

Cats!

Cats!

Cats are better pets than dogs.

Cats are better pets than dogs.

Illustrations by Tom Garrett; Shutterstock.com (All Images)

Layla

First of all, cats are easier to take care of than dogs. You don’t need to walk cats. They have litter boxes.

Next, cats clean themselves. You don’t need to give them a bath.

Finally, do you have mice in your home? No problem. Cats can catch mice for you. Dogs don’t care about mice.

Cats are easier to take care of than dogs. Cats don't need walks. Cats have litter boxes.

Cats clean themselves. You don’t give them a bath.

Cats can catch mice for you. Dogs don’t care about mice.

Dogs!

Dogs!

Dogs are better pets than cats.

Dogs are better pets than cats.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY TOM GARRETT; SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (ALL OTHER IMAGES)

Nathan

First, you can walk dogs outside when they need to go to the bathroom. You don’t have to scoop poop right in your own home. That’s gross.

Next, dogs are friendlier than cats. They run up to greet you when you come home. Most cats don’t do that.

Last, dogs are smarter. Dogs learn tricks. They can do jobs. Some dogs work for the army. Have you ever heard of an army cat? I didn’t think so.

Dogs go outside when they need to go to the bathroom. You don’t have to scoop poop right in your house. That’s gross.

Dogs are friendlier than cats. Dogs greet you when you come home. Most cats don’t do that.

Dogs are smarter. Dogs learn tricks. Dogs can do jobs. Some dogs work for the army. Have you ever heard of an army cat?

Activities (1)
Activities (1) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

1. PREPARING TO READ

Have students preview the text features. Ask:

  • What is the topic of the debate? (Prompt students to use the debate title and the picture as clues.)
  • What are the two opinions people might have about this topic?

2. READING THE DEBATE

  • Read the debate as a class or divide the class into groups.
  • You can also have students read the debate as partners, with each student reading one side aloud.

3. DISCUSSING

As a class or in groups, have students discuss:

  • Which opinion do you think makes the most sense?
  • What is your opinion? What information or argument helped you form your opinion?

 

4. WRITING

  • Pass out our opinion-writing printable (available in your Resources tab). Ask students to write their opinion in the top section.
  • Then students can underline three points in the debate that back up their opinion.
  • Last, they can complete our printable to show what their opinion is.

Text-to-Speech