The Tarantula in My Purse

The Tarantula in My Purse

Plot:
This nonfiction text is a collection of stories by writer and animal lover Jean Craighead George about the wild animals that her family loved and let live in their home. The stories range from a pet crow that comes and goes to a duck and a goose that like to ride in cars and the challenges associated with keeping wild animals in their house.

Problems identified by students:

  • The baby ducklings need water (need to be wet, need to drink) and hence are often sharing the bath/shower with the family
  • It’s hard to share the bathroom with ducks
  • The baby ducklings run away (need to be contained)
  • The baby ducklings need their own space and there isn’t much space in the house

Solutions designed by students:

  • Duck Hotel: a separate living structure for ducks
  • Layer Tub: a tub with one layer for people and one for ducklings
  • Tube Track: a tube where ducks can stay while family uses bathroom

Grade:
4th