Writer's Journey Lesson 2: Descriptive Writing Resources

Power verbs, sensory details, figurative language...

These powerful tools help paint a picture with words to bring your writing to life.  As you explore this topic in more depth and prepare for your first writing assignemnt, check out the following online resources:

Links

• "The Empire Strikes Back." starwars.com. TM & Lucas Film Ltd., 2011. 20 May 2011 Lewis, Jone Johnson.
• "Annie Dillard Quotes." Women's History. 2005. About.com. 1 June 2010 
• "Annie Dillard." Authors. HarperCollins Publishers. 1 June 2010 
• Cisneros, Sandra. "About Sandra Cisneros." SandraCisneros.com. 22 December 2008. Sandra Cisneros. 10 June 2010 
• Mathias, Kelly and Curtwright, Lauren. "Sandra Cisneros." Voices From the Gaps. 7 October 2004. University of Minnesota. 10 June 2010 
• "Audio Interview with Sandra Cisneros." WiredforBooks.org. 5 June 1991. Ohio University. 10 June 2010 
• "The Sarah P. Duke Gardens Interactive Map." The Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Duke University. 10 June 2010 
• Pupello, Vanessa. "Jamaica Kincaid." english.emory.edu. Post Colonial Studies. 20 May 2011 
• "Antigua and Barbuda." geographia.com. interKnowledge Corp. 2 November 2011 
• "Candle Lab." nasa.gov. 7 July 2011 
• Hynes, Gerald C. "A Biographical Sketch of W. E. B. DuBois." DuboisLC.com. W. E. B. DuBois Learning Center. 10 June 2010. 
• "The Psychology of Colour." Encyclopedia Britannica. 22 May 2011 

Spooky Stories

We kept the Halloween theme going today for journal time.  Check out the kids spooky (or not so spooky!) stories.

The Magic Bubble Gum by Ellie (age 7)

We got home from trick-or-treating mom told us to put all of our candy in a bowl.  When I placed my candy in the bowl, I saw strange piece of bubble gum.  So, I snatched it and I realized it had the word "magic" on it.  I popped it in my mouth quickly.  I turned into a dog and then a cat and lots of other things too!  What a wacky night!

The Halloween Surprise by Abby (age 10)

  Crreeeek!  The door slowly creaked open and darkness spilled over the room.  "MOM!  I FOUND MY BROOM!"  Kiki screamed with excitment across the house.  "GOOD KIKI!  NOW COME OUTSIDE TO PRACTICE FLYING! 'KAY?"  Mrs. Loveniahk shouted.  " 'KAY! I'M COMING MOM!"  Kiki said coming outside. 

  When Kiki got outside, she got on her broom and started flying along the tops of trees.  Plop!  Luci, a sleek black cat, jumped on Kiki's broom.  "Oh, hi Luci!  Have you seen Mom?"  Kiki asked.  "Sorry!  I don't know."  Luci piped with a tiny voice.

  A while later, Kiki and Luci where playing around when Georgia, Kiki's best witch friend, was hiding in the bushes.  Kiki was chasing Luci when suddenly, Georgia poped out screaming, "BOO!"  "AHHHHHHHH!!"  Kiki and Luci screamed, running inside the house.  "Good job kiddo." Mrs. Loveniahk, Kiki's Mom said.  "No problemo Mrs. Loveniahk!"  Georgia said.  "Well, Good night Georgia!"  " 'Night!"  Georgia answered back. 

  As the two girls were walking back, a tiny, silver owl hooted, "Beware the ghosts!"  After that, there was a silence for the rest of the night.

Phonics Fun With Word Magnets

Have some fun reviewing phonics using online Word Magnets.  It is a fun alternative for reviewing word lists or creating word sorts.  We have been using it to review short vowel words with our four year old.  Here is an example of his latest activity.

Our older students are brainstorming ways they can incorporate this activity into other subject areas.  For example, why not sort animals by their associated biomes or elements by their properties.  The possibilities are endless!  There is a newer version, Word Magnets 2.0, available for a fee.  We may check this out at some point in the future. 

Happy Learning!

Preposition Pizzazz

This week we were exploring prepositions.  Our third grader was having a difficult time with these.  Here are some activities I used to get him thinking and a little pizzazz to the learning experience!

• Lesson Motivator: Give your student a ball and a box.  Position the ball on top of the box and ask your student to describe the scenario.  For example, they might say, "The ball is on the box."  Explain that "on the box" gives the position of the ball.  Next, move the ball behind the box.  Again you are looking for the response, " The ball is behind the box."  Continue doing this until you have a few examples.
  • The ball is on the box.
  • The ball is behind the box.
  • The ball is under the box.
• Word Etymology: Dissect the word "PREPOSITION" and study its etymology to undercover the job of this part of speech.  The Online Etymology Dictionary is a great tool!  From here, you see that preposition comes from the Latin word, "praeponere".  "Prae" means before and "ponere" means to put, set or place.  So, preposition means to put or place before.  More specifically, prepositions are placed at the beginning of word groups called prepositional phrases.  These phrases are used to show how things are related to one another in either time or space.

• Make a Wordle:  Using wordle, create a beautiful work of art showcasing the many prepositions.  There are over 100 frequently used in the English language.  To begin your list, refer back to the examples from the first activity.  The position prepositions from this activity can jumpstart your list and get the brain clicking.  There are many comprehensive lists online for reference.  Check out our wordle to get you inspired!

• Printable Activities: There are a wealth of great printable activities available.  I wanted to share some of my favorites.
  • Mapping the USA: This is a wonderful activity that integrates geography and language arts.
  • Hit the Bullseye: This fun activity invites the learner to create sentences by choosing the correct prepositional phrase

• Preposition Poems: Read*Write*Think offers a great lesson called Playing With Prepositions Through Poetry.  After reading Behind the Mask: A Book about Prepositions (World of Language) by Ruth Heller, students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of prepositions through a poetry writing exercise.

• Create a Comic or Story:  Using Toon Doo or Storybird, have students create their own original works showcasing prepositions.  They could use these media outlets to define prepositions or to create a story filled with prepositions.  Give them the opportunity to be creative and see what happens!

There are so many wonderful ways to "spice up" grammar lessons and engage the learner.  Have fun, be creative and happy learning!

Grow a Verb Garden

To add pizzazz to verb tenses, I decided to have the kids grow a "verb garden."  Using the flower template I created, students write the six tenses of the main verb on each petal.  Then, they choose two of their favorites with which to write sentences on the leaves.  Afterwards, they can decorate and personalize the flowers.  Cut them out and grow your own "verb garden" in your home or classroom.  Hopefully, this idea will cultivate enthusiasm to an otherwise tedious topic.