Open currency, time zone, and language settings

Descriptive Writing With Power

Across 4 sessions, writers ages 9-11 will grow their ability to describe people, nature, objects, and places.

Ms. Bishara, MA in English Ed.

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(4)

What's included

4 live meetings

3 hrs 40 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

Descriptive Writing Class: Ages 9-11

Objective: We can use words like paint brushes.

Learning methods:
Experiencing the power of descriptive writing as readers, and then describing that experience and looking carefully at how the writer did it.
Modeling how I gather details for descriptive writing and then select the ones that have the most meaning and imaginative power.
Practicing, over and over again. Students will spend most of the their class time thinking and writing, rather than listening to the teacher.
Sharing the results of our efforts and appreciating our growth.

Session 1: Describing a place
Reading a great description of a place (pp.17-18 from Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas by Jonathan Stokes)
What words and phrases have the most effect on you as a reader?
Students will go into a room in their house and use a mind map to gather details.
Sharing of the mind maps-- selecting the details that mean the most.
Writing Time
Sharing Time

Session 2: Describing an Object
Hearing another great description (p. 56-58 from The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands)
Model my own writing about an object in my house (showing off the machine, showing my mind map, and the description that I generated from it)
Writing Time
Sharing Time

Session 3: Describing Nature (with a list of sensory details)
Hearing another great description (p. 15-16 from Endling: the Last by Katherine Applegate), noticing the different senses that are represented
Modeling my own writing done outside
Students will go outside and write their sense observations
Students will bring their sense observation list back to the class and select the best ones to compose their paragraph
Sharing Time

Session 4: Describing People You Love
Hearing another great description (pp. 1-4 of The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz) -- noticing how the details show the personalities of the people.
Using a mind map again to brainstorm a description of a person-- noting both memories and physical traits
Writing Time
Sharing Time

Learning Goals

Objective: We can generate descriptive writing that captures the imaginations of our readers.

Other Details

Supply List

Students only need a computer, some paper, and a pen or pencil.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Ms. Bishara, MA in English Ed.

Joined September, 2020

5.0

4reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Over the course of 12 years in the classroom, I’ve taught reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary and spelling to students in grades 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, and at the community college level. I also have two children, ages 10 and 12. I hold a bachelor's degree in English from Bates College, a master's degree in English Education from Teachers College at Columbia University, and a California Single-Subject Teaching Certificate in English. 

Since the pandemic began, I've switched to online teaching and find it surprisingly enjoyable. I especially like exploring how the online environment opens up new learning opportunities. I am passionate about all areas of teaching literacy. I love helping young readers and writers find their interests and discover how we use literacy to reach for our greater goals as people. My specialties are modeling writing and reading strategies that kids can use right away, as well as listening carefully to learners and adjusting my instruction for maximum effectiveness. My greatest satisfaction comes when students feel connected, have fun, and learn lessons they will carry with them into the world.