This lion writing prompt focuses on conservation. Lions are often used in unrealistic ways misleading children and people to think that they can be safe pets. This writing lesson gives lions a chance to “speak”!
*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.*
Wildcats Writing Prompts
Kids love wildcats! If you have a location near you that houses wildcats, definitely read on and find out how you can use any one or all of my wildcats lessons with your students.
For example, here in North Carolina we have the Carolina Tiger Rescue. They receive large cats that people decide they can’t handle as pets. Their mission is to discourage people from attempting to domesticate such wonderful creatures.
My colleague, Kim (owner of Artz Hub) and I were inspired by our successful partnership with the Duke Lemur Center and wanted to branch out. The Carolina Tiger Rescue seemed like a natural fit for our book creation camps and so we were thrilled when they agreed to partner with us, too. We started holding art and writing workshops and summer camps at their location.
Support Their Mssion-Conservation and Education
Part of the partnership is that we incorporate their mission into our art and writing lessons. So, the wild cat writing lessons are ones that I have actually conducted at their facility with children. If you have a similar location near you, or even a zoo that houses wild cats, I’d strongly encourage you to plan a visit so the children can learn more.
Then, use any of the Wild Cat prompts as a follow up activity! This particular lion writing prompt was created to support the mission and message of the Carolina Tiger Rescue, which discourages companies from using lions for marketing (in logos and advertisements).
NOW FOR THE LESSON!
To get a full understanding on how I conduct each writing lesson you may want to read the Writing Prompts Introduction post. The lion writing prompt outlined below (and all other prompts posted) will make more sense and be easier to follow and use. Here’s the lined paper I use for Grades K-2 and Grades 2-7
Tell the Story Line
First, tell the story line: ““You’re going to write a persuasive speech on behalf of the lions (or wild animals). The speech is going to encourage listeners to STOP using the animals for marketing (TV commercials and logos).”
Brainstorm
2. Then, discuss where lions are actually used in marketing
MGM Movies’ logo and TV commercials for the grocery store Food Lion (a southern chain that my campers are familiar with).
3. Next, discuss reasons why people shouldn’t use live lions for these ads.
It’s dangerous for the trainers.
Being in front of a camera is an unnatural environment for lions.
Using real lions in ads misleads us to believe that they are safe.
Show the 5 Sections:
- Introduction
- 1st Reason
- 2nd Reason
- 3rd Reason
- Conclusion
Remember: K-1st Graders are encouraged to write 1 sentence for each section, 2nd Graders 2 sentences, 3rd Graders 3 sentences and so on.
NOW TO WRITE!
Guide the students through the following steps so that their speech is organized and complete. They can write each step using their own words.
1. First, leave the first line blank for the title.
2. Second, write an introductory statement (1, at most 2 sentences)
Lions should NOT be used for marketing and sales.
3. Third, begin with the phrase, First of all. Write and explain reason #1 using 1-5 sentences.
4. Fourth, begin with the phrase, Secondly. Write and explain reason #2 in 1-5 sentences.
5. Fifth, begin with the phrase, Lastly. Write and explain reason #3 in 1-5 sentences.
6. Finally, write a concluding statement that restates the introduction and encourages readers to agree!
Using real lions in ads is ______.
7. Choose and write a title. A popular one among campers was “Foolish Advertisements.”
Print the Lesson
Here’s the full lesson for you to print out and use.
EASY ART ACCENTS
Once the campers finished their speeches, they began working on their lion art accent. These easy art accents are highly motivating to writers and reward them for the work!
In addition, they add color and charm to each child’s story. Like most of our easy art accents, this lion’s mane can be completed in less than 5 minutes and added to any writing piece about lions.
Bordered Paper
My students write on lined paper with a border. Here’s a printout of the lined paper I use for Grades 2-7 and Grades K-2. Here’s a printout of a border with no lines to use with very early writers.
First, the campers completed their speech. Then, they used a yellow marker to color the border.
Students have the choice to fill in the top as well, or leave it blank to write the title with marker or ABC stickers*.
Next, they used a q-tip and brown acrylic paint* to make lines for the lion’s mane.
Done!
Here’s a sample for you to print out and hang.
NOTE: the paint causes the paper to curl a bit so we always put our dried finished work in plastic page protectors*.
Facts About Lions
Take this lesson a step further. Have your students read facts about lions here!
GAMES TO PLAY!
Wild cats are a big hit every year at my summer writing camps. Here students unscramble the names of wild cats using letter tiles. You can read my full post on different ways to use letter tiles here.
Writers can unscramble the wild cat names using the letter tiles. Or, they can simply unscramble the words by writing them on small white boards as well. The letter tiles are just another fun way to practice the words! (You can use letter tiles from old Scrabble games or you can purchase different color sets of 100 wooden letter tiles online at Amazon. Here’s the link*.)
10 CATS
There are 10 different cats at the Carolina Tiger Rescue so those are the names I used. I made a document listing all 10 cats (9 plus the tiger in the logo) so they had something to refer to. Here are the 10 Cats for you to download and use. I print one for each group and slide it in a plastic page protector* so it can be reused many times.
I give each group of 2-3 children a box of letter tiles.
On the white board at the front of the group. I write the letters to one of the cats in a scrambled fashion.
The children race to form the word with their letter tiles.
The game continues until they’ve completed all 10 names or the allotted time runs out!
Print the Instructions
Here are the game instructions for you to print out and use.
Additional Writing Games:
Describe.Guess. (using Brand Names)
*All background knowledge and information needed for this prompt came from the staff and tour at the Carolina Tiger Rescue.*
