力強い描写力

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