Building Background
Pets' Spaces
The purpose of this activity is to provide students with an opportunity to examine the different spaces that animals create for themselves.
1. Copy Kenn Nesbitt's poem "Pet Shopping" onto the blackboard or onto a piece of chart paper. This poem may be found on this link www.poetry4kids.com/poem-401.html. You may also go to this address https://www.poetry4kids.com and type the words "Pet Shopping" into the search box.
Pet Shopping
While shopping at the pet store
I got my fondest wish.
I bought myself a fish bowl
and then a pair of fish.
And since I was already
out shopping at the store
I thought I ought to purchase
another smidgen more.
And so I got a rabbit,
a hamster and a frog,
a gerbil and a turtle,
a parrot and a dog.
I purchased an iguana,
a tortoise and a rat,
an eight-foot anaconda,
a monkey and a cat.
A guinea pig, a gecko,
a ferret and a mouse,
and had them all delivered,
directly to my house.
My sister went berzerko!
She's now installing locks,
because I said her bedroom
would be their litter box!
--Kenn Nesbitt
2. Share the poem with your students. Discuss the ways that a fish bowl creates a space for the fish.
3. Have students choose other animals from the poem and describe the spaces that the animals create for themselves or that people create for them when they keep them as pets.
4. Involve students in a discussion about the ways people create spaces in which to live.
Steps for Learning
Creating a Private Space
In this activity, students will create a personal space in the classroom and write a poem that describes the space.
1. Tell students that they are going to create a personal space in the classroom. Explain to students that they can move desks and chairs to create this space and may use the items that you provide (see materials list) to create the space.
Teacher Note: Depending on the space available in your classroom, you may choose to complete this activity in several sessions.
2. Refer to the "My Space" worksheet to complete this activity. Depending on the age of your students, they may need adult help to complete the worksheet.
3. After students have finished their poems, you may have a poetry party where students take turns sharing their poems with the class.