Writing and Reading Ideas

Whether you are having students write individually, or writing a group story on a chart it is always a good idea to demonstrate what you are looking for.

Before every piece of writing teach a lesson such as:

• Indenting
• Expanding a sentence
• Using colorful language
• Using a box of crayons for color words
• Painting a picture with words
• Using the senses
• Using similes and metaphors

Brainstorm words that could be used with that topic.  Refer to word charts like the ones below for older students to use their senses in writing.

Sight

dull	sparkle	bright
dingy	knotted	wavy
shiny	dark	light
shady	crooked	wrinkled
glowing	flashing	clear

Sound

crash	whisper	shriek
boom	fizz	snap
gasp	rattle	drip
squeal	croak	chirp
creaking	splash	singing

Smell

sweaty	damp	musty
smoky	moldy	spicy
fresh	rotting	grassy

Taste

sour	sweet	bitter
spicy	creamy	juicy
salty	smooth	peppery

Touch

sticky	silky	soft/hard
firm	cool/cold	freezing
bumpy	wet/dry	rough
jagged	sharp	smooth
burning	hot	furry

Let students add to the list when they are reading and they come across a word that would fit into one of these categories.