Brief DescriptionCreate and design advertising for a tempting new pet food!
pets, propaganda, advertising
Advertisers know that the right combination of appealing gimmicks can bring out the buyer in every young person. In this lesson, students learn about the ways companies influence what people purchase in order to boost their own profits as they create and market their own pet food.
Begin this activity by sharing a newspaper, magazine, or other ad for a pet product. Ask the students to identify the target audience and discuss what effect the ad has on the group. Are the students interested in the product? Would they choose to purchase it for a family pet? What about the ad "works," and what might be changed to make it more attractive to young pet owners?
If you choose, visit the PBS site for kids called Don't Buy It. This site explains many of the techniques advertisers use to "fool" the public. Then introduce some of the classic ways ads work through the information provided by Propaganda Techniques. (Older students may read the material for themselves, while the information may serve as a guide for the teacher to share some important points with younger children.) Sources about propaganda from the school library might be used in place of these Internet resources.
Working in small groups, have students consider a new pet food product. Distribute copies of the Pet Pellets work sheet to guide their work. When students are prepared to create a "package" for their product, give them access to necessary art supplies and tools. Have the students share their advertising ideas and products with the whole group. Have them identify the types of propaganda used by the various groups in their original advertising.
Collect handouts for evaluation. All submissions should be complete and reflect adequate thought and development. Also collect student-created prototype packages. Display with the work sheets if desired.
Lesson Plan Source
FINE ARTS: Visual Arts
Find more lessons for teaching about May holidays in Education World's Holidays Archive.
Click to return to this week's Lesson Planning article, Pet Week Lessons for Every Grade.
Originally published 05/02/2003
Last updated 03/28//2008