This week have your little darlings write an Acrostic poem. In this type of poem, a word or name is used and arranged vertically to begin each line of the poem.
For example: SPRING
Sunshine warming up the earth,
Pretty flowers blooming.
Raindrops wash away the snow,
In the yard and meadow.
Nice and warm, finally spring!
Growing grasses everywhere.
Notice that the word "SPRING" is arranged vertically. This poem is free verse, meaning there is no rhyme or rhythm. Acrostic poems can rhyme or not, whatever the writer wants to do is just fine. Actually, it is more difficult to rhyme an Acrostic poem than others, since the writer is obligated to begin each sentence with an assigned letter.
Many children enjoy making an Acrostic poem out of his or her name. Whatever word they choose, Acrostic poems are fun to write!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Bite Size Writing Assignment: Describe a Person
This week, have your little darlings try penning some descriptive words. Your young writer(s) should choose one person he/she sees on a regular basis and describe him or her.
Descriptive writing doesn't only apply to what is visible. It also includes behaviors and attitudes.
For this assignment, have your student(s) follow this method:
1. Choose a person to describe.
2. Write a list of physical features.
3. Write a list of common behaviors (fidgety, calm, clumsy, etc.).
4. Write a list of common attitudes (happy, silly, serious, etc.).
5. Put all the information into essay form.
Older students should be able to tackle this assignment independently. Young writers may need some help.
Happy writing!
Descriptive writing doesn't only apply to what is visible. It also includes behaviors and attitudes.
For this assignment, have your student(s) follow this method:
1. Choose a person to describe.
2. Write a list of physical features.
3. Write a list of common behaviors (fidgety, calm, clumsy, etc.).
4. Write a list of common attitudes (happy, silly, serious, etc.).
5. Put all the information into essay form.
Older students should be able to tackle this assignment independently. Young writers may need some help.
Happy writing!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Bite Size Writing Assigment: Spring!
Spring is finally here! It seems no matter where on the North American continent you live, this year has been a long, long winter. Time to rejoice! Spring arrives this week!
Have your young (and older) writer(s) compose an essay about spring and what it means. Prose is the goal here, but it can be poetic, if that is preferable.
One or two paragraphs will suffice. But don't discourage more if your aspiring writer is just bursting with words in the way spring is bursting with new life.
For those who need a little inspiration, here are some topics to choose from:
For more advanced students, have them turn this assignment in for review and then, if necessary, assign a rewrite.
Then, take your young writer(s) and step outside for a deep breath of spring air. Welcome, spring!
Have your young (and older) writer(s) compose an essay about spring and what it means. Prose is the goal here, but it can be poetic, if that is preferable.
One or two paragraphs will suffice. But don't discourage more if your aspiring writer is just bursting with words in the way spring is bursting with new life.
For those who need a little inspiration, here are some topics to choose from:
- Melting snow
- Mud, mud everywhere!
- Animals in spring
- How spring feels to me
- Springtime sports
- Why I love spring
- Spring: bursting with life
For more advanced students, have them turn this assignment in for review and then, if necessary, assign a rewrite.
Then, take your young writer(s) and step outside for a deep breath of spring air. Welcome, spring!
Sunday, March 09, 2014
Bite Size Writing Assignment: All About Animals!
This week have your little writers think and write poetically about animals. There are so many amazing creatures, wild and domestic:
Have your student(s) get a pen or pencil and paper and write a poem of 1-3 stanzas (the paragraph of poetry!) containing four lines each. Younger students should do well to get 1 stanza done. A simple trick is to come up with words that rhyme and use them at the end of the 2nd and 4th lines.
Older students should be able to create a poem with 2 or 3 stanzas. Again, the use of rhyme helps if the 1st and 3rd lines rhyme or the 2nd and 4th. An advanced poet will be able to incorporate rhymes in other places within the poem.
Encourage students to have fun and allow them to move outside of reality with the poem. Go wild!
Example stanza:
Cows are very odd at times
I see them chew, chew, chew!
They stand an nosh on grass
As if it's all they have to do!
Don't forget to check out the fun lapbooking units on puppies and kittens by Little Darlings Press on currclick.com. Click the links below:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Birds
- Cows
- Horses
- Tigers
- Snakes
- Monkeys
- Elephants
Have your student(s) get a pen or pencil and paper and write a poem of 1-3 stanzas (the paragraph of poetry!) containing four lines each. Younger students should do well to get 1 stanza done. A simple trick is to come up with words that rhyme and use them at the end of the 2nd and 4th lines.
Older students should be able to create a poem with 2 or 3 stanzas. Again, the use of rhyme helps if the 1st and 3rd lines rhyme or the 2nd and 4th. An advanced poet will be able to incorporate rhymes in other places within the poem.
Encourage students to have fun and allow them to move outside of reality with the poem. Go wild!
Example stanza:
Cows are very odd at times
I see them chew, chew, chew!
They stand an nosh on grass
As if it's all they have to do!
Don't forget to check out the fun lapbooking units on puppies and kittens by Little Darlings Press on currclick.com. Click the links below:
PUPPIES! A Fun & Easy Lapbook
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Bite Size Writing Assignment: Winter Fun
Hey! Winter is nearing an end, and those of us who love the season of snow and chilly weather have to get in our final winter activities, and soon!
This week have your little darlings write about their favorite winter fun activities.
Whatever the activity, it's a great reason to write a paragraph about why it is SO MUCH FUN!
If you and your little darling(s) live in a warm climate, write about this time of year and how things are different than six months from now.
Have fun!
Enjoy life!
Happy writing!
This week have your little darlings write about their favorite winter fun activities.
- Skiing
- Sledding
- Ice skating
- Hockey
- Hiking
- Ice Fishing
Whatever the activity, it's a great reason to write a paragraph about why it is SO MUCH FUN!
If you and your little darling(s) live in a warm climate, write about this time of year and how things are different than six months from now.
Have fun!
Enjoy life!
Happy writing!
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