a cat and a dog. Text reads: Cats vs. Dogs
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Cats vs. Dogs

Isabel wants a dog, but her brother is on Team Cat. Which pet should the Martinez family get?

From the September 2022 Issue
Lexiles: 500L-600L

Dear Jay,

a girl with a thought bubble that shows a dog

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Can you believe it? Mom said YES to us getting a pet! I know you want a cat. But I think a dog will make a better pet. 

First of all, dogs are smart. They can learn about 100 different words. Imagine everything we could train our pup to do! I bet it could even help us with chores. (Think of all those dirty socks our dog could fetch from under the bed!) 

Plus, dogs are more fun. House cats usually sleep 15 hours a day. Boring! With a dog, we could play fetch, tug–of–war, or chase. And taking the dog on walks means spending more time outside (which Mom is always telling us to do!).

I also did some research. A survey found that people who have dogs are happier than people with cats. And studies show that dogs are the most popular pet in the world! 

So are you ready to be a happy dog family?


Your favorite dog lover,

Isabel

Dear Isabel,

a boy with a thought bubble that shows a cat

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Those are great points. But I still think a pet cat is a much better choice for our family. Here’s why.

Cats don’t need to be trained to do cool things. They’re already amazing hunters. Having a cat around can keep pests like mice and cockroaches away. Think how happy Mom will be without that family of mice in the kitchen!

And don’t forget what Mom told us: We’ll be in charge of our new pet! Cats are way easier to take care of. For the most part, cats are happy just chilling out. A pet kitty only needs food and a litter box. Dogs, on the other hand, are a lot more work. They need food, exercise, baths, and a lot of attention. 

Speaking of baths, cats are way cleaner than dogs. In fact, a cat will spend hours cleaning itself. Dogs definitely don’t do that. Most pups enjoy rolling around in the smelliest stuff they can find. I don’t want a stinky pet in the house. Do you?


Cat superfan, 

Jay

What do you think?

Go back to the article and write down reasons to support each side of the argument. Then study the points on both sides. State your opinion in one sentence, which can be the introduction to an opinion paragraph.

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Debate: Cats vs. Dogs

September 2022
Debate: Cats vs. Dogs
Story Read Aloud: Magazine Version
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Can't Miss Teaching Extras

The history of dogs is fascinating. Learn more in our December 2018/January 2019 Paired Texts features, “The History of Dogs” and “How America Went Dog Crazy.”

Fun Facts: About 48 million households in the U.S. have pet dogs while about 32 million households in the U.S. have pet cats!

Have your students weigh in on another debate between two siblings in “” Is It Okay to Quit? from our February 2021 issue.

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

1. PREPARING TO READ

Have students preview the text features. Ask:

  • What is the topic of the debate? (Students can use the debate title and subhead as clues.)
  • What do you think the two sides of the issue are?

2. READING THE DEBATE

  • Read the debate as a class or in small groups.
  • Have students read the debate a second time. Prompt them to mark the types of support the author presents to back up each side, including:
    • Facts and statistics (F/S)
    • Quotes from experts (Q) 
    • Stories or examples (EX)  

 

3. DISCUSSING

As a class or in groups, have students discuss:

  • What is your opinion? What evidence do you find the most convincing?
  • For more-advanced students: Do you think the author agrees with one point of view more than the other on this issue? What is your evidence?

4. CULMINATING ACTIVITY

  • Distribute the “Opinion Writing Kit” skill builder which guides students to write a three- paragraph essay on the debate topic.

  OR

  • Stage a classroom debate, offering students practice speaking in front of a group.
    • For more-advanced students: Have each side conduct additional research for the debate.

5. CHECK COMPREHENSION

  • Have students complete the comprehension quiz.

6. PARTICIPATE IN THE ONLINE POLL

  • Students can vote for which side they support and see what other Storyworks 3 readers think in our online poll at Storyworks 3 Digital.

COMMON CORE STATE STANDARD

RI.1, RI.2, RI.6, RI.8, W.1, W.4, W.10, SL.1

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