The Curious History of Cats

• Before reading, show the video “The History of Pets” to engage interest and build background knowledge.
• Preview challenging vocabulary from the story with our Vocabulary Slideshow, then let students play our new online vocabulary game, Know the Words, located in the Resources tab. Follow up before or after reading with our Vocabulary Skill Builder. Highlighted words: aggressive, civilizations, convenient, domestication, felines, ferocious, litter, obsession, pests, rodents.
• Invite a student to read aloud the Up Close box on page 16 for the class.

Click here for great ideas for reading as a whole class, in small groups, or independently! Students can also listen to our Author Read-Aloud with Talia Cowen.

Click here for great ideas for reading as a whole class, in small groups, or independently! Students can also listen to our Author Read-Aloud with Talia Cowen.

“The Curious History of Cats”

1. Read the first section of the article. How does author Talia Cowen create a strong contrast between the pet cats we know today and the wildcats they came from? (author’s craft) Cowen uses descriptive language to create a contrast between pet cats and wildcats. She describes pet cats with words—like “big eyes” and “soft fur”—that make them seem sweet and cuddly. On the other hand, the words she uses to describe wildcats—such as ”fearsome,” “11-inch fangs,” and “glowing eyes”—paint a frightening image of these animals. In addition, Cowen uses the expression Awww! to indicate our pleased reaction to pet cats and AHHH! to show our terrified reaction to wildcats.
2. Based on the section “The Rise of Farming,” why was farming so important to the history of humans? (cause and effect) Farming allowed humans to settle in one place, creating villages and towns, because they no longer had to move around looking for food. This provided more free time, giving us the opportunity to create art and music.
3. Explain the connection between farming and pet cats. (cause and effect) Farming gave humans the ability to grow extra food for storage so they would have something to eat during cold months. But pests, like mice and rats, were attracted to the stored food and ate it. Small wildcats, in turn, were attracted to the rats and mice. People encouraged the wildcats to keep coming back by leaving out meat scraps for them. Over a long time, these wildcats became tamer and tamer until they resembled the pet cats we know today.
4. Read the section “From Wildcats to Cats.” How did cats spread throughout the world? (key idea) Cats were taken aboard ships to deal with the rats that lived there. When ships docked, a cat would sometimes wander off the ship into a new place and make its home in this new spot.
5. What is the main idea of the section “Good Companions”? (main idea) The section “Good Companions” is mainly about how cats became more important as companions for humans than as creatures that control pests. It describes the changes in wealth and the invention of products, like scratching posts and kitty litter, that made it easier for people to share their homes with cats.
6. Based on the timeline “Feline Friends,” describe three ways that “Cats have captured our hearts over the years.” (text features) Answers will vary. Sample answer: Cats have captured our hearts in books and movies, like the Puss in Boots character from fairy tales. We also are interested in cats that have joined humans on adventures, like Mrs. Chippy, the cat that became famous when she sailed to Antarctica in 1914. And many of us love internet cats, especially funny ones, like Grumpy Cat.

“Online Stars”

1. Explain why some people call the internet “a virtual cat park.” (interpreting text) In the real world, there are dog parks, but no similar physical spaces exist for cats and their humans. Some people refer to the internet as “a virtual cat park” because it’s a place where people gather to enjoy cats, both their own and others.
2. What evidence supports the idea that cats seem mysterious? (text evidence) For most people, cats’ facial expressions are hard to read. Because we often can’t guess what cats are feeling or thinking, they seem mysterious to us. 

“The Curious History of Cats”

1. Read the first section of the article. How does author Talia Cowen create a strong contrast between the pet cats we know today and the wildcats they came from? (author’s craft) Cowen uses descriptive language to create a contrast between pet cats and wildcats. She describes pet cats with words—like “big eyes” and “soft fur”—that make them seem sweet and cuddly. On the other hand, the words she uses to describe wildcats—such as ”fearsome,” “11-inch fangs,” and “glowing eyes”—paint a frightening image of these animals. In addition, Cowen uses the expression Awww! to indicate our pleased reaction to pet cats and AHHH! to show our terrified reaction to wildcats.
2. Based on the section “The Rise of Farming,” why was farming so important to the history of humans? (cause and effect) Farming allowed humans to settle in one place, creating villages and towns, because they no longer had to move around looking for food. This provided more free time, giving us the opportunity to create art and music.
3. Explain the connection between farming and pet cats. (cause and effect) Farming gave humans the ability to grow extra food for storage so they would have something to eat during cold months. But pests, like mice and rats, were attracted to the stored food and ate it. Small wildcats, in turn, were attracted to the rats and mice. People encouraged the wildcats to keep coming back by leaving out meat scraps for them. Over a long time, these wildcats became tamer and tamer until they resembled the pet cats we know today.
4. Read the section “From Wildcats to Cats.” How did cats spread throughout the world? (key idea) Cats were taken aboard ships to deal with the rats that lived there. When ships docked, a cat would sometimes wander off the ship into a new place and make its home in this new spot.
5. What is the main idea of the section “Good Companions”? (main idea) The section “Good Companions” is mainly about how cats became more important as companions for humans than as creatures that control pests. It describes the changes in wealth and the invention of products, like scratching posts and kitty litter, that made it easier for people to share their homes with cats.
6. Based on the timeline “Feline Friends,” describe three ways that “Cats have captured our hearts over the years.” (text features) Answers will vary. Sample answer: Cats have captured our hearts in books and movies, like the Puss in Boots character from fairy tales. We also are interested in cats that have joined humans on adventures, like Mrs. Chippy, the cat that became famous when she sailed to Antarctica in 1914. And many of us love internet cats, especially funny ones, like Grumpy Cat.

“Online Stars”

1. Explain why some people call the internet “a virtual cat park.” (interpreting text) In the real world, there are dog parks, but no similar physical spaces exist for cats and their humans. Some people refer to the internet as “a virtual cat park” because it’s a place where people gather to enjoy cats, both their own and others.
2. What evidence supports the idea that cats seem mysterious? (text evidence) For most people, cats’ facial expressions are hard to read. Because we often can’t guess what cats are feeling or thinking, they seem mysterious to us. 

1. Based on what you read in both articles, describe three ways cats are important to humans. (connecting texts) Answers will vary. Sample answer: Cats are important to humans for many reasons. They are helpful for keeping rats and mice away from our food, make us laugh or squeal with delight when we see them online, and are soft and cuddly companions.
2. What would you say to a friend who wants to know why cats are special? Include details from both texts in your answer. (supporting an opinion) Answers will vary.

1. Based on what you read in both articles, describe three ways cats are important to humans. (connecting texts) Answers will vary. Sample answer: Cats are important to humans for many reasons. They are helpful for keeping rats and mice away from our food, make us laugh or squeal with delight when we see them online, and are soft and cuddly companions.
2. What would you say to a friend who wants to know why cats are special? Include details from both texts in your answer. (supporting an opinion) Answers will vary.

Distribute or digitally assign the Cause and Effect Skill Builder (available on two levels), which will guide students to respond to the writing prompt on page 20.

Distribute or digitally assign the Cause and Effect Skill Builder (available on two levels), which will guide students to respond to the writing prompt on page 20.