Using vivid words
Purpose:
The purpose of this activity is to teach students to use more descriptive words in their writing.� This lesson teaches students to think about how they can replace �dead� words with more �vivid� words.� Students will extend their vocabulary and learn how to use a thesaurus in this mini-lesson.� This is an exciting lesson to use to celebrate the holiday season.
Objectives:
6.01 Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:
� Determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words by using context clues, a dictionary, a glossary, a thesaurus, and/or structural analysis (roots, prefixes, suffixes) of words.
� Extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new words.
Materials:
Pencil and white paper
Overhead projector
Thesaurus for each student
Time Required:
25 minutes
Five minutes to review �dead� words and �vivid� words.
Fifteen minutes to complete activity.
Five minutes to share work.
Script:
(First, distribute thesauruses.)� �Today we are going to do a fun activity that I think you will really enjoy.� Before we start, can anyone tell me what a �dead� word is?�� (Wait for student responses.)� �A dead word is a word that we use too much in our everyday speech and writing.� For example, good, bad, little, and big are dead words.� Can you think of any more dead words?�� (Students will respond with several dead words.)� �What words could we use in place of the word bad, for example?�� (Wait for student responses.)� Very good.� You just gave me lots of examples of what I like to call �vivid� words.� These words are more descriptive, don�t you think?��� �Now, you have heard several examples of dead words, so I want you to take a few minutes and choose the dead word that you would like to use for this activity.� Don�t pick the word bad because that is going to be the word I use for the example for you to follow.�� (Wait a few minutes.)� �Now, has everyone chosen a dead word? Good.� Now let�s begin.� I want you to draw a small oval in the center of your paper and write your dead word in the middle.�� (Draw oval on the overhead and write the word bad in the center.)� �OK.� For each addition you make to the picture, you are going to have to write a vivid word next to it, just like I am going to do, so watch closely.� Also, don�t use your thesaurus until you absolutely have to.� Try to think of all the vivid words you can own your own.� Now draw a curved line extending from the oval, like this.� Write a vivid word on that line, like this.� (Draw the line and write a vivid word for bad on the line.� Repeat until the picture of Santa Claus is complete. Use diagram provided.� Do not tell students what they are drawing.� They will be so excited when they figure out that they are drawing Santa Claus.)� �Wasn�t that fun?� Who would like to show us their picture and read their vivid words?�� (Choose students to share their work.� They may color them and you can use them as classroom decorations or a bulletin board.)