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Vivid Verbs

Main Core Tie

English Language Arts Grade 5
Writing Standard 3 d.

Additional Core Ties

English Language Arts Grade 5
Language Standard 1 c.

Time Frame

2 class periods of 30 minutes each

Group Size

Large Groups

Authors

JOANNE BURTON
PAULA JENKINS
brooke rauzon
MICHELLE RODERICK

Summary

Students will practice using a thesaurus and dictionary to choose more descriptive verbs.


Materials

  • Magazines
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Poster board
  • Blank word strips
  • Writing paper
  • Thesaurus
  • Dictionary


Background for Teachers

Choose magazines with a variety of appropriate action pictures.


Student Prior Knowledge

Students should know what an action verb is and how to use a thesaurus.


Instructional Procedures

  1. Instruct students to choose a picture from the provided magazines that depicts an action.
  2. Students will cut the picture from the magazine.
  3. Students will use a dictionary and thesaurus to find 6 verbs that depict the action of the cut-out magazine picture.
  4. The verbs should be written on the blank word strips. Cut-outs and verb strips can be attached to a class poster of vivid verbs.
  5. Students will use the 6 verbs in a paragraph.
  6. These paragraphs can be shared in small groups.
  7. Students could choose their favorite verbs to add to the student's journal.


Assessment Plan

Place a clothesline across a corner of the classroom. Place the rubric numbers 1-3-5 at the intervals on the clothesline. Discuss the following rubric criteria as a class.

1 - The writer struggles with a limited vocabulary, searching for words to convey meaning.

3- The language is functional, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writer's meaning on a general level.

5 - Words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting, and natural way. The words are powerful and engaging.

Students will work with a partner to evaluate and place each paragraph on the clothesline. Teacher can assess and discuss placement of paragraph.


Created: 08/02/2005
Updated: 02/04/2018
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