A Cow’s Life

This lesson plan is designed to help teachers present animal rights issues to their students. If you’re an educator, please feel free to adapt this material to fit your needs, and contact us if you need help incorporating this activity into your curriculum!

Suggested grade levels: 3rd–5th grade

Objectives: Learn about the ways in which animals are used in the food and clothing industries and the concept of “cruelty-free” clothing.

In “A Cow’s Life,” three students start out clothes shopping and end up at an animal sanctuary, where they learn that cows are used for veal AND leather—and they also learn about the fun and fashionable world of cruelty-free clothing options! You can order the comic book here or click below to view it online and print it for your students.

a cow's life comic book

Once your students have read the comic, print out copies of the corresponding “Fill in the Blanks” and “Discussion and Reading Questions” worksheets to help them process the material and learn more about cows and choosing cruelty-free clothing.

A Cow’s Life Comic Book Questions

Love this lesson? Check out the comic “A Rat’s Life” to teach your students about animals used in experimentation!

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 Ingrid E. Newkirk

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind