Language Arts Standards Activity

Describe a Seasonal Setting

Prepared by:

Deri Ament, Fifth Grade

East Elementary, Baraboo

 

Exploring Nature with the Five Senses

 

Grade Level: This activity is planned for my fifth grade class, but can be adapted to any level.

Activity: Walk to the Baraboo River and explore a small island each of the four seasons. Take notes for journal entries upon return to the classroom. Take photographs of a special spot on the island. This will be done the first week of school (August), in October, January, and in May.

 Concepts: Writing comes from what we know; what we see, smell, taste, touch and hear.

 Materials:

· Steno pads

· Pencils

· Copies of sentence starters (attached)

· Disposable cameras (one per team)

· Water bottles

· Walking shoes

· Items as appropriate for the season (i.e. snowshoes to share in January)

Procedure: 

1. For each season: summer, fall and winter read aloud the corresponding chapter from Snowshoe Trek to Otter River.

2. Discuss the details and descriptions that make one aware of the season and make the story interesting.

3. Discuss what signs we’re aware of for the present season and what special activities and/or memories the season brings. (Focus on the five senses, may use graphic organizer.)

4. Explore the concept of a "special spot."

5. Teams will be assigned a camera and parent leader to record of which frame was used by whom.

6. After hiking to the river, students will explore and find a special spot with their adult leader. Using the senses sentences starters the group will take notes individually in their steno pads.

7. Students will take their own photograph of their special spot.

8. After returning to the classroom, students will write a journal entry on the hike and their observations using at least five descriptive sentences. Narratives to accompany the photograph will be completed at a later date using the notes and journal. Poetry assignment will also be taken from theses student sources.

9. On the final trip in May, the students will write their own story for spring that would make a fitting final chapter for Snowshoe Trek to Otter River.

Assessment: Create an individual narrative and/or poem for each season to accompany the special spot photograph taken by the student. Compile a small booklet for the portfolio when the spring short story is completed.

 Use the descriptive writing steps and requirements (below) for each seasonal assignment.

 

Descriptive Writing Steps

1. Take notes in steno pad.

2. Transfer notes to create a journal entry.

3. Decide on a type of poem to create or a narrative for each season.

4. Use at least one descriptive phrase for each of the five senses.

5. Conference with teacher.

6. Type a computer draft in lab.

7. Save and print one copy.

8. Read your computer copy out loud to your team; use a pen to make any corrections.

9. Ask your team what they liked best about your poem or prose.

10. Make any corrections or changes on the computer.

11. Print two good copies.

 

 

Requirements for Descriptive Writing Assignment

Content Grade_____

 

1. Title

2. Five descriptive phrases (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).

3. Poem or prose about each of the four seasons, with a short story for spring.

4. Enough descriptive language to make writing interesting

5. Photograph to accompany the season described.

6. Clearly stated and smooth flowing.

 

Grammar and Mechanics Grade____

 

1. Following poetry form and /or sentence structure or prose (run on, fragments, short and choppy, awkward, unclear)

2. Punctuation (for prose)

3. Capitalization

4. Word usage (subject/verb agreement, verb tense, etc.)

 

Spelling Grade _____ (Use spell check on computer. Use a dictionary. Ask someone!)

-0 = A

-1 = B

-2 = C

-3 = D

-4 or more = F

 

Procedure Grade_____

1. Followed the steps

2. Used time wisely or wasted time.

 

 Student Senses Sentences Starters

 

Sight Taste

As I looked around… My mouth watered as I….

I saw…. I could almost taste….

I couldn’t take my eyes off…. Remembering the taste of…

Glancing around…. I licked my lips just thinking….

 

Sound Touch

Sitting quietly, I noticed…. I felt….

As I listened…. When I ran my hand along…..

In the distance, I heard… (It) felt like….

Closing my eyes …. As I touched it….

 

Smell

I took a deep breath and….

I could almost smell….

I noticed the faint scent of…

The smell reminded me..