How to Write a Movie Review from a Pet's Perspective

When would two paws up denote a blockbuster film in your classroom? Only when young writers create movie reviews from a pet's perspective in this imaginative expository writing practice. This engaging topic begins with a class discussion to brainstorm and list the criteria for a good movie. The procedure follows with the reading of a model pet movie review of a fictional remake of Goldilocks and the Three Bears by two off-beat iguanas, Eggbert and Delbert, from the workbook Lights, Camera, Woof! Writing for Pet Entertainment Television.  Precise language, supporting evidence, a strong voice, and ability to persuade are targeted skills developed through pre-writing questions. Shared responses in both human and pet voices provide a platform for drafting teacher models that can be reviewed with the included criteria chart. Finish with a class assessment that uses close-reading strategies by highlighting effective text elements. While written primarily for use by middle school students, the activity can be adapted to younger grades by making expectations developmentally appropriate.