Activity Overview
In this activity, students synthesize and summarize the text. Students’ work should reflect their understanding of the pros and cons of each pet, as well as the cost and time commitment. This exercise is crucial when preparing for related persuasive writing assignments.
Summarizing "Good Pet, Bad Pet" - Owning a Dog
Pros
- best friend
- variety of sizes/breeds
- lives 8-16 years
Cons
- time consuming
- may not like kids
- may shed and smell
- may bark or bite
Time
- dogs need a lot of exercise
- puppies need to be housebroken and trained
- they need to be fed and groomed daily
Money
- purebreds are between $500 and $1000
- accessories cost $250
- shots cost $150-$500
- yearly cost is $300 or more
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Students will summarize the text by creating a storyboard about the animals.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- For each animal, write what makes them a good pet and what makes them a bad pet.
- Write about the time it takes to care for the pet.
- Write about the cost of the pet.
- Find illustrations that accurately represent the animal and its environment.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
In this activity, students synthesize and summarize the text. Students’ work should reflect their understanding of the pros and cons of each pet, as well as the cost and time commitment. This exercise is crucial when preparing for related persuasive writing assignments.
Summarizing "Good Pet, Bad Pet" - Owning a Dog
Pros
- best friend
- variety of sizes/breeds
- lives 8-16 years
Cons
- time consuming
- may not like kids
- may shed and smell
- may bark or bite
Time
- dogs need a lot of exercise
- puppies need to be housebroken and trained
- they need to be fed and groomed daily
Money
- purebreds are between $500 and $1000
- accessories cost $250
- shots cost $150-$500
- yearly cost is $300 or more
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Students will summarize the text by creating a storyboard about the animals.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- For each animal, write what makes them a good pet and what makes them a bad pet.
- Write about the time it takes to care for the pet.
- Write about the cost of the pet.
- Find illustrations that accurately represent the animal and its environment.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Informational Text Summary
Plan a collaborative summarizing activity for student groups
Organize students into small groups and assign each group a different pet to summarize together. Group work fosters discussion, deeper understanding, and peer support as students analyze the pros, cons, time, and cost factors of their assigned pet.
Guide students to identify key details before summarizing
Prompt students to highlight or list the most important facts about each pet before writing their summary. This ensures their final summaries are focused and include the critical information needed for persuasive writing tasks.
Model effective summaries using a think-aloud
Demonstrate how to summarize by thinking aloud as you condense information about one pet. Sharing your thought process helps students understand how to determine what’s essential versus extra detail.
Encourage peer feedback on summaries
Ask students to exchange summaries with a partner or group for constructive feedback. This step builds editing skills and helps students recognize strengths and areas for improvement in their own and others’ work.
Connect summarizing skills to persuasive writing
Discuss how strong summaries can support future persuasive essays about choosing the best pet. This makes the activity more relevant and shows students the value of summarizing in real-world writing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Informational Text Summary
What is an informational text summary activity for elementary students?
An informational text summary activity asks students to condense key details from a nonfiction text, focusing on main ideas, important facts, and comparisons—like the pros and cons of different pets—to show understanding and prepare for later writing tasks.
How can teachers help students summarize pros and cons of pets in class?
Teachers can guide students to create a storyboard or character map that lists each pet's advantages, disadvantages, time needs, and costs, using visuals and short notes. This structured approach makes summaries clearer and more engaging for grades 4–5.
Why is summarizing texts like 'Good Pet, Bad Pet' important for persuasive writing?
Summarizing texts helps students analyze and organize information, making it easier to develop strong arguments and evidence in persuasive writing. Understanding both sides of a topic—like pet ownership—lays a solid foundation for forming opinions.
What are some easy ways to teach cost and time commitment in pet care lessons?
Use real-life examples, simple charts, and group discussions to help students compare pet care costs and time. Visuals like storyboards or worksheets can make abstract concepts, such as yearly expenses or daily routines, more concrete for young learners.
What should students include in a storyboard about animals for an informational summary?
Students should include each animal's pros and cons, time requirements, costs, and illustrations that show the pet in its environment. Brief notes and relevant images help synthesize information from the text effectively.
More Storyboard That Activities
Good Pet, Bad Pet
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
