Level 1 • Lesson 11 — My favorite animal

Objective

I can choose one favorite animal and write short sentences that tell what it looks like, what it does, and why I like it.

Materials

Short, sharpened pencil
Eraser
Ruled paper (primary lines preferred)
Tracing Pad (below)
Picture of a real animal (book, card, or photo)

Mini-lesson — Writing about a favorite animal

Everyone has a favorite animal. It might be a dog, a cat, a rabbit, a turtle, or something else. In this lesson you pick one animal and write about it.

A good sentence about an animal tells the reader what the animal is, what it looks like, or what it can do.

Start with I: Use sentences like I like dogs. or I like turtles.
Say the name: Tell the reader which animal you chose.
Add a describing word: Words like soft, fast, big, or kind help the reader imagine it.
Use capitals and periods: Begin with a capital letter and end with a period.

Here are some example sentences:

I like dogs.
My dog is soft.
My dog can run fast.

When you write, ask yourself: "Did I say which animal I like? Did I use a describing word?"

Picture strip: "My favorite animal — a dog"

Guided Practice — My animal sentences

Use this routine to plan and write simple sentences about your favorite animal.

Choose your animal: Pick one animal to write about, such as a dog, cat, rabbit, or turtle.
Say a short I sentence: Try something like I like dogs. or I like cats. Say it aloud slowly.
Add a describing word: Think about color, size, or how it feels. For example: My dog is soft. or My cat is fast.
Trace on the pad: On the Tracing Pad, choose a pattern like I like or my dog. Trace the words and keep your letters on the line.
Write on your paper: On your ruled paper, write one or two short sentences about your animal. Start with a capital letter and end with a period.
Check your writing: Read your sentences aloud. Make sure you said which animal you like and used at least one describing word.

You can repeat this with different animals on other days, but write about one animal at a time.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build animal sentences

First, build each sentence on the screen. Then copy it neatly on your ruled paper.

On the device: Drag the words into the correct order. Release inside a slot to drop. Chips stay in their own question.

On paper: Write each sentence with I, clear spaces, and a period at the end.

Ilike bigdogs verymuch .

Mydog issoft andfriendly .

Mydog canrun veryfast .

Ifeel happywhen Ihug mydog .

Itake careof mydog daily.

Quick Check — My favorite animal

Answer each question about favorite animals, I sentences, and describing words. This is a gentle 10-question check.

In this lesson, how many animals should you write about?

As many animals as possible One favorite animal No animals at all

Why do we start sentences with I in this lesson?

To show it is my idea or feeling To talk about every person in the world Because we do not know the animal name

What does the word favorite tell the reader?

Which animal you do not like How many animals live in the zoo Which animal you like the most

Which sentence uses a describing word?

I see an animal. My dog is soft. Animal, animal, animal.

What can a good sentence about an animal tell?

What the animal looks like What every animal in the world eats How to draw every animal perfectly

What should you put at the end of your animal sentence?

A question mark every time A big space A period

What happens if you write about too many animals in one short piece?

The writing becomes very clear The ideas can feel mixed and confusing The sentences erase themselves

Which group is all describing words for a dog?

Soft, big, brown Dog, dog, dog Run, jump, play

How can you check if your animal sentence makes sense?

Close the book and guess Color over the words Read it aloud and listen carefully

What can you think about to get ideas for sentences?

Only the animal's name Why you like the animal How many letters are in the word animal

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Chooses one favorite animal to write about Writes one or more I sentences about the animal Uses at least one describing word (for look, size, or feeling) Starts sentences with a capital letter and ends with a period Sentences are mostly on topic and easy to understand

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can write clear sentences about my favorite animal. 🙂 I need a little more practice with describing words. 😅 Writing about my favorite animal still feels tricky.

I will practice…

Using I at the start of my sentences Adding describing words about my animal Reading my sentences aloud to check they make sense

Lesson 11: My favorite animal