Mini-Lesson

Reflective Writing

Mini-Lesson: Grades 2-3

Objective: Students will reflect on their own interests and talents.

1. Before sharing the latest timeforkids.com story about circus-dog trainer Gail Mirabella, encourage students to think about their own interests and talents. Have them complete the worksheet All About Me. Then ask: What do you do to improve your talents? How do your family, friends and teachers help you?

2. Tell students they are going to read about Gail Mirabella, who started practicing for her job as a circus-dog trainer when she was a kid. Have students read the timeforkids.com story, A Chat with Dog Trainer Gail Mirabella.

3. Ask: How do you think Mirabella learned to teach her dogs tricks when she was a kid? What steps do you think she might have taken to improve her skills?

Extend Learning: Have students write about a job that they would like to have in the future. Encourage them to draw a picture to go with their writing.