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Pets at Christmas – Topical Tuesdays Activities from First News  

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The RSPCA has shared some handy tips to keep your furry friends safe this Christmas.

Oracy

There is now a huge market for Christmas gifts for pets, but should we actually give any festive treats to our furry friends at all? Isn’t it just a bit of harmless fun? Why shouldn’t we give them something a little bit special at this time of year? Don’t those of us who celebrate Christmas like to involve the whole family, including the animals who live with us? Or is it cruel to overfeed pets or give them foods to which they are not accustomed? Isn’t it just another way for companies to make money out of us? After all, it’s not as though animals understand the significance of the season. What do you think?

Writing skills

Write a diary for 25th December from the perspective of a pet who lives with a family that celebrates Christmas with great enthusiasm. What would the animal make of it all? Make it as funny or serious as you like but remember to use the first person and include personal opinions as well as an account of the events of the day.

Or

The article mentions ‘human holiday foods like chocolate, grapes and onions’. Write a recipe for a festive treat in which the main ingredients are chocolate, grapes and onions. Have some fun with this by inventing your own delicacy, such as chocolate-dipped onion rings with a grape garnish, but ensure you make it sound delicious and include all the features of a set of instructions.

Investigate

Research human foods that are dangerous to dogs. List at least five of them, briefly explaining why they could be harmful.

What is First News?

Launched in May 2006, First News is the most trusted weekly newspaper for young audiences, covering global headlines and empowering children with an understanding of the world in which they are growing up.

To find out more about how First News could help your school unlock the power of news-based learning, through high quality, weekly resources alongside the print and digital newspaper, visit the First News Education website.



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