Want a great story starter? Pictures of teachers pets make for great topics of discussion as well as prompts for writing.

This is my dog, Chance, and I have used this picture many times with great results! The students ask all kinds of questions about him as they try to write from his perspective. Or, they will ask all about what he likes to do when they write about an adventure he had. You get the idea.

It's a great way for the teachers to show off a part of themselves (their pet) and to bond with their students (oh, and the writing part is good too!)