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Descriptive Writing
What is descriptive writing?
Descriptive writing helps the reader visualize the person, place, thing, or situation being described. When a text conjures a vivid, sensory impression in the reader’s mind, not only does it make the writing more interesting to read; it helps the reader understand the text better and recognize the author’s intention more clearly.
Why teach descriptive writing?
- It helps students make their writing more interesting and engaging to read.
- It creates opportunities for students to practice using new words in meaningful contexts, a key strategy for building vocabulary.
- Descriptive writing tends to include figurative language, such as simile, metaphor, and onomatopoeia. Noticing figurative language in mentor texts and incorporating it into their own writing help students build critical verbal reasoning skills. To find out more about verbal reasoning and other components of language comprehension, see the “In Depth” section from the Comprehension module of our Reading 101 Course.
- It encourages students to learn from—and be metacognitive about—the techniques other authors use to write vivid descriptions.
- It can help students clarify their understanding of new subject matter material and remember more of what they learn.
How to teach descriptive writing
If only descriptive writing were as simple as “show, don’t tell”! Descriptive writing is a skill — and a craft — that takes instruction, practice, and time to learn. The good news is that it can be explicitly taught. An understanding of the characteristics of effective descriptive writing, combined with a toolkit of structures and strategies to scaffold learning and practice, can enhance students’ development as authors of vivid, evocative writing.
What effective descriptive writing looks like
Authors of descriptive writing use a variety of styles and techniques to connect with readers, but effective descriptive writing often shares these characteristics:
- Vivid details. Specific details paint a picture in the reader’s mind and appeal to the reader's senses. Descriptive writing may also go beyond creating a strong sensory impression to give the reader a “picture” of the feelings the description evokes in the writer.
- Figurative language. Tools of the writer’s craft such as analogy, simile, and metaphor add depth to authors’ descriptions.
- Precise language. General adjectives, nouns, and passive verbs are used sparingly. Instead, specific adjectives and nouns and strong action verbs give life to the picture being painted in the reader's mind.
- Thoughtful organization. Some ways to organize descriptive writing include: chronological (time), spatial (location), and order of importance. Descriptive writing about a person might begin with a physical description, followed by how the person thinks, feels and acts.
What effective instruction in descriptive writing looks like
There isn’t one right approach to teaching descriptive writing, but effective instruction often includes:
- Mentor texts. Reading aloud and analyzing high-quality mentor texts to help students understand how authors use descriptive writing to connect with readers.
- Focus on the five senses. Helping students make the connection between sensory input (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) and descriptive writing.
- Teacher modeling. Modeling different ways to generate descriptive writing.
- Guided practice. Repeated, structured practice scaffolded to meet students’ needs.
- Feedback and revision. Cycles of constructive teacher and peer feedback followed by thoughtful revision.
Watch a demonstration: show NOT tell using your 5 senses
In this virtual lesson, the teacher models generating written descriptions of a hot day using the five senses as a framework.
Watch a classroom lesson: five senses graphic organizer
Students use their five senses and a graphic organizer to brainstorm ideas for writing a report on a recent school event and to help them think about interesting words to include in their report. See the lesson plan .
Watch a classroom discussion: writer’s workshop
Writer's Workshop connects great children's literature with children’s own writing experiences. In this video clip from our Launching Young Readers PBS series , Lynn Reichle's second graders practice their use of descriptive writing.
Collect resources
Here are some routines and structures for teaching descriptive writing:
The RAFT strategy encourages descriptive writing and supports writing in general by encouraging students to think through the writer's Role, the Audience, the Format, and the Topic. ReadWriteThink offers this RAFT Writing Template .
This Sense Chart — organized into sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch categories — helps students capture sensory details related to a topic. The Describing Wheel offers a more open-ended format for capturing and organizing descriptive language.
The Show-Me Sentences lesson plan from ReadWriteThink was created for students in grades 6-12. However, elementary teachers can modify the Show-Me sentences to make them interesting for younger students.
This lesson plan from Utah Education Network guides students through the process of writing about a favorite place using descriptive language.
This lesson plan from the Philadelphia Museum of Art has students work collaboratively to generate descriptive writing about works of art. It is intended for upper elementary and middle grades but can be adapted for lower grades.
Teacher Laura Torres created a lesson plan that uses images to jumpstart vivid writing: Three Descriptive Writing Picture Prompts .
This resource from Greenville County Schools in South Carolina provides several ideas for writing in math class . Writing and mathematics are similar in that they both require gathering, organizing, and clarifying thoughts. Writing can assist math instruction by helping children make sense of mathematics and by helping teachers understand what children are learning.
Writing in science gives students an opportunity to describe observations and scientific phenomena, and can help them comprehend new material by having to explain it in their own words. Fazio and Gallagher propose two instructional strategies to assist teachers and student when writing in science: a mnemonic acronym (POWER) and an editing checklist.
Social Studies
In social studies, descriptive writing can help students describe an important historical figure or event more clearly. Writing rich in detail will create vivid depictions of people and places and help make history come alive.
Differentiate instruction
For English-learners, readers of different ability levels, or students needing extra support:
- Use dictation as a way to help capture students thoughts and ideas.
- Provide sentence frames for writing descriptive sentences or paragraphs.
- Use pictures and other sensory prompts.
- Provide budding writers with real-life or virtual experiences that give them something to write about. Trips to a relative’s house, playground or grocery store provide real-life experiences that can be recorded by a new writer.
- Encourage students to work with a buddy or in a small group to develop first drafts .
- Work with students to brainstorm a word bank of interesting and descriptive words students can incorporate into their writing.
Extend the learning
This resource from Greenville County Schools in South Carolina provides several ideas for writing in math class . Writing and mathematics are similar in that they both require gathering, organizing, and clarifying thoughts. Writing can support math instruction by helping students make sense of important concepts and procedures.
Descriptive writing in science can help students capture observations and scientific phenomena with greater precision, and can help them comprehend new material by explaining it in their own words. Fazio and Gallagher propose two instructional strategies to assist teachers and student when writing in science: a mnemonic acronym (POWER) and an editing checklist.
Related strategies
- RAFT helps students understand their roles as writers, the audience they will address, the varied formats for writing, and the topic they'll be writing about.
- Revision teaches students about the characteristics of good writing, which will carry over into their future writing. Revision skills complement reading skills; revision requires that writers distance themselves from the writing and critically evaluate a text.
- Writing Conferences give students a chance to share their writing and and receive feedback from peers or the teacher.
- Think-alouds can be used for writing as well as reading instruction
Learn more about building writing skills in our self-paced module Reading 101: Writing .
See the research that supports this strategy
Akerson, V. L., & Young, T.A. (2005). Science the 'write' way. Science and Children , 43(3), 38-41.
MacArthur, C., Graham, S., & Fitzgerald, J. (2016). Handbook of research on writing (2nd Edition). NY: Guilford.
Miller, R.G., & Calfee, R.C. (2004). Making thinking visible: A method to encourage science writing in upper elementary grades. Science and Children , (42)3, 20-25.
Mitchell, D. (1996). Writing to learn across the curriculum and the English teacher. English Journal , 85, 93-97.
Children's books to use with this strategy
The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza)
In this spin-off off from the traditional tale, the indomitable bread-making Little Red Hen makes pizza. Describe why her friends wouldn't help her and in the order they refused her request. Make the pizza, its maker, and the ingredients irresistible in your description. Compare it to a time-honored version.
Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme
A prolific (and popular) poet, Prelutsky provides poem starters for slightly older children. Young poets can either finish the "poemstarts" suggested here or create their own original poem.
Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella
Cinderella stories are found around the world; here, they have been fused into one tale with special characteristics in text and illustrations that reflect the different origins. Expand parts of the story to echo the traditions of the culture and its history from which it comes. It may be possible to develop a map of tales (e.g., ancient vs. modern countries, or as a visual as to where it is/was told).
Each Orange Had 8 Slices: A Counting Book
Counting is fun especially in this sophisticated but accessible and handsomely illustrated book. Various situations are introduced in straightforward sentences followed by questions that are answered by counting. Describe each situation in the order presented.
A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder
Arresting photographs of water in various states not only introduces water but also weather, solids and liquids, and more. The sophisticated text further encourages experimentation and observation, although is not necessary to use the entire book with younger children.
26 Letters and 99 Cents
Sequencing, sets, counting, and money (coins) are introduced in crisp photographs in this wordless concept book. Upper and lower case letters from A to Z with attendant objects are half of the book; turn it over and numbers, counting, and more are presented.
I Face the Wind
Children are encouraged to observe as experiment as they learn about wind and air as well as practice science writing by describing their findings.
Benny's Pennies
A boy has five pennies and spends them one at a time as he meets people during a walk. Told in rhyme, this cumulative story is appealing and well supported by illustration.
Jack and the Beanstalk
The traditional tale of a boy who planted magic beans is reimagined as a city story of a spell broken. Illustrations are photographs that have been manipulated for good effect.
A mother and her child get the ingredients for soup on a snowy day and then add everything to the pot. The pair plays snug and warm while the soup simmers until Dad comes home when they enjoy soup together. Crisp collage and a simple text make for a cozy read.
No Easy Way: The Story of Ted Williams and the Last .400 Season
Ted Williams never flinched at hard work or a challenge. In his last season with the Boston Red Sox, Williams had to decide if he wanted to take the chance and lose his rare .400 average or go to bat. Williams' decision creates a riveting read in this handsome and thoughtful look at one man's ethics and the times in which he lived.
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth
Two machines captivated young Philo Farnsworth: a telephone and a phonograph. Both had cranks and both connected people with others (one in real time, the other through music). These and other inspirations motivated young Philo to invent what was to become known as the television. His early story is fascinatingly told and well illustrated.
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11
Relive the journey of the Apollo 11 where the first people stepped on the Moon's surface and saw Earth from a very different perspective. Eloquent language and illustrations combine to present this historical event in a unique, unforgettable way.
If America Were a Village: A Book About the People of the United States
If all of the 300 million people were simply one village of 100 people, its diversity is easier to understand. That's just what the author has done to make the complex make-up of the U.S. residents (in terms of languages spoken, ages, and more). Colorful illustrations accompany the understandable text. Additional resources complete the book. If the World Were a Village: A Book About the World’s People , also by Smith, looks at the inhabitants of the world as a village to allow its diversity to become more understandable for adults and children.
One World, One Day
Every day children around the world awake to begin their days having breakfast, going to school, coming home to families. A poetic text combines with photographs from myriad countries to visually highlight the richness of the world and its people.
10 Minutes Till Bedtime
At One Hoppin' Place, the countdown to bedtime is about to begin when a family of hamsters — a mother and father with nine kids and a baby all wearing numbered striped jerseys — arrives at the front door.
The Mysterious Tadpole
When Louis' uncle sends a tadpole from a certain lake in Scotland, the small tadpole grows to enormous proportions. With the help of a resourceful librarian, Louis figures out a way to feed his large and ever-hungry Alphonse as well as determine a permanent solution. Humor abounds in this contemporary classic.
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. grew up fascinated by big words. He would later go on to use these words to inspire a nation and call people to action. In this award-winning book, powerful portraits of King show how he used words, not weapons, to fight injustice.
Squids Will Be Squids
Scieszka and Smith set sights on creating fresh fables — short traditional tales intended to teach a moral lesson. With humorous twists and take-offs, new, different and wacky fables are presented for readers' edification and amusement.
Science Verse
This boy's curse begins when his teacher suggests that the "poetry of science" can be heard everywhere. From Moore to Frost, familiar poems are parodied and turned into science verse. Again art and illustration are inseparable as are the laughs in this offbeat look at science.
Easy to read and understand.
This was really helpful. Very detailed I feel like.
Really good examples and nice enjoyable videos. The videos make it easy to understand.
Fun, useful, precise and captures all the elements needed to build a descriptive essay.
Great, they are supported by video and some examples too.
amazing and helps me learn
clear information, brief, interesting examples and also provide nice video
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Descriptive Writing
Our Descriptive Writing lesson plan for grades 4-6 teaches students to develop the skills needed for descriptive writing. Students practice using the strategies taught in this lesson to enhance their writing.
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Additional information.
Our Descriptive Writing lesson plan for grades 4-6 helps students develop the skills needed for descriptive writing. Students are asked to use both their creativity and their technical writing skills in order to write descriptive sentences, paragraphs, and even essays. Students work collaboratively on an assignment in which one child writes a detailed description of a scene or object and the other student draws it; this allows the students to see how much detail a reader can glean from their writing. Students are also asked to work independently to make boring descriptions more interesting.
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to use precise words and phrases, descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
State Educational Standards: LB.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.D, LB.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3.D, LB.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.D
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Descriptive writing
Really useful and helpful to plan the descriptive writing.
Descriptive Writing Material
This was really helpful, however it would have been better to have answer keys provided.
Excellent worksheets
The descriptive writing worksheets are easy and inspiring for my student. They really help her to apply descriptive writing techniques in her own writing.
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Home > English Language Arts Worksheets > 6th Grade Writing
At the 6th grade level, we are encouraging students to use evidence to back up any argument that you are trying to propose. Students will start analyzing text and be able to infer about the text and understand central themes. Students will begin to understand how to write using the correct point of view for their intended audience. This is designed to help engage readers more. We encourage students to use figurative language and bright language to open up a new world to their readers. At this point students are ready to write for a wide range of audiences and purposes. We often find that writing for purpose is highly motivating for students at this level. At the education crossroads in 6th grade, your students are ready to tackle more in depth writing assignments. Before they say good bye to grade school, get students hammering away in the classroom and at home to enhance creative writing skills. How about this for a dive deep into the imagination of a 6th grader: "Write a letter to your younger self, telling yourself what you wished you had known then." You will be amazed how far your kids have progressed as writers by downloading the lessons from this series.
These writing worksheets were created specifically for 6th grade students that are putting a great deal of effort into their written expressive language. Students will find some deep thinking prompts and situations that they must assess and adjust to. Many teachers tell us that students find this work engaging and enjoyable. It is all about keeping them motivated and actively thinking at the 6th grade level. Reach deep into the vivid imaginations of your students by presenting creative writing lessons from the task of a simple writing prompt.
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Printable 6th grade writing worksheets, click the buttons to print each worksheet and answer key., how's life.
Imagine you are an elderly person looking back on your life. Write about how your life turned out. What did you do? What are you most proud of?
8 Quick Prompts
Do you think it is a good idea for teachers to specialize in one subject, or do you think that you should always only have one teacher per grade, even as your get older?
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Important Values
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Parents Advice
What advice have you been given by parents or other adults about how to choose your career when you grow up? How do you feel about that advice?
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Write a letter to your younger self, telling yourself what you wish you had known then.
Healthy Diet
What do you think makes up a healthy diet? Do you eat a healthy diet? Why or why not?
The Most Dangerous Animal
What do you think is the most dangerous animal on earth? Why do you think that? How is it dangerous? What do you think would happen if you encountered one?
Playing Sports
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New Student
Imagine your favorite fictional character was a new student in your school. What do you think might happen?
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What do you think if the most important school subject? Why?
Staying In Town
When you grow up, do you want to stay in this town or move somewhere else? Explain.
A Quality Teacher
What quality do you most appreciate in a teacher? Why?
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Have you ever been told by an adult that it is bad to do something, and then seen that same adult doing it? How did that make you feel? What did you do?
What is the most disappointing thing that someone that you care about has done? Why were you disappointed? What happened?
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Journal Buddies Jill | June 10, 2022 November 8, 2021 | Writing Worksheets & Printables
6th Grade Writing Worksheets (Free Printables)
You asked and we listened. Printable 6th grade writing worksheets are here. Writing is an important part of a child’s education. What they learn as a child and how they learn it will stick with them throughout the rest of their lives.
Are your 6th-graders writing or journaling on a regular basis? I hope so! Journaling helps students work out problems on paper, create new ideas, and work through feelings and emotions in a constructive way. It also provides an outlet for students to experiment creatively with their writing style and to develop a process of healthy, daily reflections.
To help support you in your efforts to provide children with the writing skills they need, we offer you the following free writing resources. Some of the resources are writing worksheets and others are printables. We also share a link to our favorite writing worksheets resource for sixth graders.
If you need fun ways to support your child’s writing skill development, you have come to the right place. We welcome you and hope you enjoy the resources on our blog.
Writing Worksheets for 6th Grade Printables
→ Access All 3 ← Printable Writing Worksheets for Sixth Graders
BONUS → Grab your ← Printable Journal Page for Sixth Graders here!
More Free Grade 6 Writing Resources
6th Grade Journal Prompts — Here you will find a wonderful list of 31 prompts and writing ideas for your grade 6 child.
As sixth graders enter middle school and prepare to become teenagers, many kids find themselves struggling to understand their emotions and to express their changing, unique personalities. It’s a tough time, for sure, but journaling can help students make sense of their experiences and reflect on who they are and where they’re heading next in life.
As your sixth graders explore what inspires them about their heroes and complete writing exercises like a poem about their favorite day of the year, they will become more confident in their thoughts and opinions—and most importantly, they will also enjoy an incredible opportunity to express themselves freely.
Use these 6th-grade journaling prompts to give your students a safe, comfortable space to consider their thoughts and opinions without worrying about judgment from others!
33 Writing Prompts for Middle School: 6th Graders
Sixth grade is a big year—and as your students enter middle school for the first time and begin looking toward high school, it’s more important than ever before to introduce them to activities that promote healthy reflection and self-expression.
Without a doubt, journaling is one of the best tools to guide students through this time of exciting changes and new responsibilities. These new 6th-grade writing prompts are designed to help students think critically about some of the most important issues they face in today’s world.
With questions on topics like bullying and Internet usage, your students will have the chance to reflect on what it means to be a teenager today and how popular culture influences their lives. Additionally, each time students write and reflect, they’ll also become more comfortable expressing their own unique ideas and thoughts—and they’ll experience greater self-esteem as a result.
More Printable Grade 6th Language Arts Worksheets Discover some fabulous resources brought to you by englishworksheetsland.com.
Let’s Write Creatively
Creative writing sounds inherently as though it should be easy—after all, the word “creative” expresses a sense of freedom and possibility that other, more restrictive forms of writing don’t have.
However, sometimes the lack of boundaries makes it even more difficult to begin writing. Kids are sometimes confused by assignments that don’t have many rules, and they may struggle to begin writing creatively.
The following five tips get the creativity flowing and encourage kids to think outside the page.
1. Promote New Experiences
Encourage kids to pursue other interests besides writing. While it might seem counter-intuitive that the first creative writing tip suggests doing anything but writing, alternative experiences actually promote greater creativity once students return to their desks.
Kids who struggle with writing can find inspiration by enjoying their favorite activities and trying new things. Exposure to a different group of people or a fresh sport offers new perspectives for writing.
2. Don’t Worry About Perfection
Perfection is the greatest enemy of creative writers everywhere. When a person writes about things that matter deeply to him or her, it’s only natural to care about the quality of the finished product. However, people shouldn’t worry about perfection during the early stages of writing.
Students who worry too much about getting a sentence exactly right may become frustrated easily and associate the negativity they feel with writing as a whole. Instead, encourage students to write freely at first and to get as many ideas down as possible. They can go back later and correct mistakes during the editing process.
3. Write about What You Love
Though you might be tempted to give students a particular writing assignment, sometimes it’s best to sit back and let them write about whatever they love most.
Allow students to take a general topic and spin it in any direction that interests them. Most kids will have much more to say and will feel more comfortable writing when they are able to discuss familiar and enjoyable topics.
4. Focus on the Senses
Sensory writing is interesting writing—and focusing on the senses can also help students who are struggling to get started. Give students a setting or situation and ask them to describe what a character experiences through the lens of the five senses. What does the view look like? What noises does the character hear—shouting or the rustling of leaves? Are there any smells in the air? Can the character taste anything—flavored lip balm or perhaps a delicious apple pie? What is the character touching?
5. Set Small Goals
Small, realistic goals for assignments also help kids who are struggling with creative writing. Encourage kids to write for 10 minutes daily or to compose one or two paragraphs. With an end goal in sight, even students who dislike writing will know what they can expect and will have an easier time completing the task. As students get more comfortable with writing, you can slowly increase the length of assignments—and watch as their creativity increases at the same time.
If you enjoyed these resources and Writing Worksheets and Printables for 6th Grade Students , please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it!
Until next time, keep on practicing those writing skills with your sixth graders…
Sincerely, Journal Buddies Jill journalbuddies.com creator and curator
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Using Descriptive and Sensory Language Writing Worksheets
Related ela standard: w.6.3.d.
Writers that are working to describe something have to pay attention to every little detail to help their readers enjoy what they are trying to share. Good descriptive writing often uses figurative language that is precise and lends itself to using sensory language to make people, events, and concepts lively. When preparing to write in this fashion you should ask yourself what you want your reader to see, hear, taste, smell, or feel. These worksheets will have students practice using descriptive forms of writing and employing sensory language throughout it.
Descriptive and Sensory Language Worksheets:
Using Sensory Language - Yeah, make the reader taste what you are trying to convey or least help them better understand it.
Developing Sentences with Sense - Make these sentence pop at you like a global ballistic missile.
Hear, Taste, Touch, and Smell - Make your friend love your postcard. Think of what you might see, hear, feel, taste, touch and smell if you were in the picture.
One Hot Summer - The West is really hot in the summer. Tim has an assignment to write a descriptive paragraph about his summer vacation out west. Help him write his paragraph.
Add Some Glaring Flare - Take four to five words and make them change the reader's thought process.
The Old Watch - Using sensory language, write what comes next in the stories. Use a vivid imagination to write these.
The County Fair - Read each topic sentence. Think of what you might see, hear, feel, taste, touch and smell in each setting.
Mouthwatering Words - Replace each general sentence with a sensory sentence. Write the new sentence on the line.
Convey More - Each word to the right is very basic. Change that right quick. What words can you think of that add more impact.
Sensory Superhero - Write down as many of those careful details about each thing as you can. What words come to mind when you hear these?
Sensory Readers - Describe your classroom for someone who has never been there before. You know what to do.
Using Clues - Use the sensory language as clues to identify the object being described. Write the name of the object on the line.
Make It Jump Out! - Read each word. Think of a way to describe the object without using the word. Then write a descriptive sentence on the line.
Make Them Feel It - Practice using sensory language. Write a descriptive paragraph about something you did recently.
A Winter Day - Write a descriptive paragraph about winter. Use as many sensory words as you can? Make sure to avoid the word cold!
What's the Difference Between Descriptive and Sensory Language?
Sensory language.
The sensory language contains terms that pertain or are related to at least one of the human senses (taste, touch, hear, seeing, and smell). Sensory words are descriptive words that ignite your senses while reading. These words are used so that you can pay attention to the details. Here are some types of sensory words that are commonly used.
The sensory expressions that are related to the sight are the words that allow you to sense what a certain scene would have looked like. With the help of sensory words of sight, the author paints a picture of the scene right in front of you. Words like gloomy, dark, bright, dazzling, gigantic, etc are sensory words of sight.
The vocabulary terms that are related to touch are the words that allow you to sense what a certain thing would feel like when it is touched. The author uses these words to describe the texture of things. Words like creepy, gritty, slimy, sticky, fluffy, soft, hard, etc are used as words that are related to touch.
The sensory phrases that are related to hearing are the words that allow you to sense what a certain thing would have sounded like. These words allow the author to let you listen to what the scene would have sounded like. Words like loud, piercing, thumping, crashing, etc are terms that are referring to hearing.
The sensory terms of taste and smell are alike. They let you know if a thing tasted nice or bad. Words like zesty, tangling, sour, sweet, stinky, etc are used to pertain to taste.
Descriptive Words
Although sensory terms are highly similar to descriptive like vocabulary, they still have their differences. Descriptive words include all the sensory words but they also incorporate many other aspects such as words that give details but do not ignite any senses. Such words can describe emotions, feelings, or settings of an area.
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Delightful Descriptive Writing Exercises and Worksheets
1 descriptive essay outline template.
Descriptive essay outline template (PDF)
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Descriptive paragraph transitions exercise (PDF)
14 Replies to “Descriptive writing exercises and worksheets”
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Descriptive Writing Grade 6
Displaying top 8 worksheets found for - Descriptive Writing Grade 6 .
Some of the worksheets for this concept are Descriptive paragraph, Writing prompts student rubrics and sample responses, Descriptive writing, Awesome adjectives list, Themaster teacherseries, The writing process a scaffolding approach considerations, Grade 6 english, Dont show.
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1. Descriptive Paragraph
2. writing prompts, student rubrics, and sample responses, 3. descriptive writing, 4. awesome adjectives list, 5. themaster teacherseries, 6. the writing process: a scaffolding approach considerations ..., 7. grade 6 english, 8. dont tell. show.
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Show-Me Sentences
- Resources & Preparation
- Instructional Plan
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When teaching a lesson on descriptive writing, students may write descriptively in the moment, but once the lesson is over, they tend to revert to their former ways. This lesson helps students learn to apply effective writing techniques on their own over time without constant reminders from the teacher.
Featured Resources
From theory to practice.
- While working with young children, Dyson finds that an attitude of playfulness and sense of fun helps students gain mastery over aspects of their writing. The same principle applies to adolescents and young adults.
- External stimuli prompt students to construct their own sentences and stories.
- When students have opportunities to revise, to observe, and to participate in peers’ revisions, they learn metacognitive strategies that transfer to their own writing.
Common Core Standards
This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.
State Standards
This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.
NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts
- 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
- 5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
- 6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
Materials and Technology
Whiteboard or blackboard
Show-Me Sentences Handout
Preparation
This lesson is designated as a recurring lesson because it focuses on a writing skill that should be practiced throughout the year. Once students complete the examples provided in this lesson, be sure to compile additional practice exercises so students can continue to hone their skills over time. You may choose to use examples from students’ actual writing, with or without identification of the author.
In addition, consider having students visit Descriptive Writing With Virginia Hamilton to try some exercises outside of class.
- Provide each student with a Show-Me Sentences Handout .
- Write the following sentence on the board, “The car lands awkwardly, causing it to roll.”
Student Objectives
Students will
- Revise sentences to incorporate imagery and sensory detail
Instruction and Activities
- Discuss with the class the idea of “showing” rather than “telling” in writing. For example, in a casual conversation, a student might say, “I was in an automobile accident yesterday,” but such a statement gives little information. Was he or anyone else hurt? Did the accident involve another car or a tree? Was he alone in the car? Where did the accident happen?
- Read aloud the sentence on the board (see Preparation, Step 2), noting that it “tells” what happened rather than “shows” what happened.
- Ask, “What does lands awkwardly look like? Think of an image in your mind and let’s capture it in words.”
- Ask, “Is the car driving itself? Does the driver matter?”
- Ask, “Is enough detail provided to visualize what happened?”
- In this manner, actively solicit sensory details (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory descriptions) from students. Write the new “show” sentence next to the original “tell” sentence. Based upon this prompt, a ninth-grade student wrote: “The car blasted through the guardrail, went into a free-fall, then spun around in the air and landed sideways, causing the weight to shift. Freddy felt the momentum pulling the car forward. The car kept rolling, and with each flip, Freddy felt more and more helpless.”
- Refer students to the Show-Me Sentences Handout , and have them review the first example, first reading the “telling” sentence and then reading the “showing” sentence.
- Ask students if they could improve even more on the “showing” sentence. Allow students to provide suggestions and point out when their suggestions improve the descriptive quality of the sentence.
- Ask students to recreate the remaining “telling” sentences on the handout by incorporating visual and sensory details to more explicitly show the reader the scene.
- After students have worked through the sentences on the handout, ask for volunteers to read their revisions aloud. Point out effective uses of imagery and sensory details.
Use this lesson early in the year so you can refer to it later when students are working on other writing assignments. For example, after having students write a descriptive narrative and engage in a peer-review session, ask them to select three single, significant sentences from different parts of their narrative. Have students transform each sentence into a “showing” sentence as learned in this lesson. Each “showing” sentence can then be reinserted into the narrative as part of the revision process.
Student Assessment / Reflections
All students can demonstrate mastery of descriptive writing. However, it is not unusual to suggest that a student “add more description” to an initial reworking of a sentence. Witnessing how good peer writers reinvigorate sentences is especially helpful.
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Some ways to organize descriptive writing include: chronological (time), spatial (location), and order of importance. Descriptive writing about a person might begin with a physical description, followed by how the person thinks, feels and acts. What effective instruction in descriptive writing looks like
Descriptive Writing Rubrics, Printable Worksheets & Activities for Any Grade Descriptive Writing Here's a huge variety of resources on descriptive writing: lesson ideas, graphic organizers, worksheets, and practice pages for book reports, how-to, science, and explanatory writing.
Our Descriptive Writing lesson plan for grades 4-6 helps students develop the skills needed for descriptive writing. Students are asked to use both their creativity and their technical writing skills in order to write descriptive sentences, paragraphs, and even essays.
Descriptive WritingSixth Grade Writing Lessons and Prompts Descriptive Writing Prompts with Fiction Porter's Letters to Griffin (Reading Level 3; Interest Level 5) My Movie Moment (Reading Level 3; Interest Level 5) Emma's Eyes (Grades 3-4; Interest Level: Grades 2-6) Peace with Pizza (Grades 3-4; Interest Level: Grades 2-6)
At the 6th grade level, we are encouraging students to use evidence to back up any argument that you are trying to propose. Students will start analyzing text and be able to infer about the text and understand central themes. Students will begin to understand how to write using the correct point of view for their intended audience.
6th Grade Journal Prompts — Here you will find a wonderful list of 31 prompts and writing ideas for your grade 6 child. As sixth graders enter middle school and prepare to become teenagers, many kids find themselves struggling to understand their emotions and to express their changing, unique personalities.
1. Descriptive Paragraph 2. TheMaster TeacherSeries 3. The Farmers Market 4. Descriptive paragraphs worksheet 5. Primary Writing Written Products Examples 6. NAME: DATE: DESCRIBING PLACES 7. Writing 8. The Writing Process: A Scaffolding Approach Considerations ...
Descriptive Writing Worksheets To Print: It's All In The DETAILS - They make just about anything more interesting. They also bring things to life. It's in the Bag! - You have to have a plan for this worksheet. I would outline the approach you plan to take before you start it.
Grade 6 >> Using Descriptive and Sensory Language Writing Worksheets Related ELA Standard: W.6.3.D Answer Keys Here Writers that are working to describe something have to pay attention to every little detail to help their readers enjoy what they are trying to share.
Delightful Descriptive Writing Exercises and Worksheets Descriptive writing is an attempt to give a clear description of people, places, objects, or events using descriptive language and informative details. Descriptive writing exercises can include: brainstorming outlining word sorting sentence writing with pictures transitions exercises
1. Descriptive Paragraph 2. DESCRIPTIVE WRITING 3. WRITING PROMPTS, STUDENT RUBRICS, AND SAMPLE RESPONSES 4. Awesome Adjectives List 5. The Writing Process: A Scaffolding Approach Considerations ... 6. TheMaster TeacherSeries 7. Grade 6 English 8. Purpose for Writing
6. Describe a Favorite Food I like this activity because it's easy for students to simply describe the taste or sight of their favorite food, but they should also work on describing the smell of the food as it is prepared and the texture of the food in their mouths.
6th grade Writing Sort by Fix It! Editing Practice Worksheet Transition Words Reference Worksheet Descriptive Writing: Picture Prompt #1 Worksheet Practice Writing a Conclusion Worksheet Editing Checklist Worksheet Map Your Essay: Graphic Organizer Worksheet Argument Writing: Removing Irrelevant Evidence Worksheet
Writing More Descriptive Sentences: Sample Student Essay Directions: Here is a sample review essay paragraph from a student outlining a menu option available at a local tea house. Identify sentences that you think could benefit from more specific and descriptive language. Underneath the paragraph, edit a few of these sentences using some of
Displaying top 8 worksheets found for - Descriptive Writing Grade 6. Some of the worksheets for this concept are Descriptive paragraph, Writing prompts student rubrics and sample responses, Descriptive writing, Awesome adjectives list, Themaster teacherseries, The writing process a scaffolding approach considerations, Grade 6 english, Dont show.
descriptive writing grade 6 17,000+ results Sort: Relevance View: Paragraph Writing of the Week - Differentiation Bundle for Grades 5-6 by Rachel Lynette 4.8 (318) $29.96 $14.98 Bundle Differentiate paragraph writing for 5th and 6th graders with this how to write a paragraph bundle!
ID: 1373850 Language: English School subject: Written Composition Grade/level: 6 Age: 10-12 Main content: Writing a descriptive paragraph Other contents: Writing a descriptive paragraph Add to my workbooks (45) Download file pdf Embed in my website or blog Add to Google Classroom
ID: 1370365 Language: English School subject: Written Composition Grade/level: 6 Age: 10-12 Main content: Writing a paragraph Other contents: Descriptive writing Add to my workbooks (16) Download file pdf Embed in my website or blog Add to Google Classroom
ID: 273838 Language: English School subject: Writing Grade/level: Grade 6 Age: 10-13 Main content: Writing a descriptive paragraph Other contents: Add to my workbooks (112) Download file pdf Embed in my website or blog Add to Google Classroom
descriptive writing personality interactive and downloadable worksheets. ... Grade/level: Age: Search: English - Español. Home; About this site ... Search results: descriptive writing personality . Order results: Unit:8, Descriptive writing ...
We have holiday-themed worksheets, daily writing prompts, rubrics for grading work, literature guide extension exercises, cross-curricular projects, and much more! Grades: 6 + show tags Print Download Who Am I? - Character Description Scoring Rubric: Poetry Write Your Own Mad Libs ® Story Starters Student Proofreading Checklist
Recurring Lesson Show-Me Sentences Grades 6 - 12 Lesson Plan Type Recurring Lesson Estimated Time 50 minutes (or a series of minilessons) Author Lawrence Baines Director and Professor of Teacher Education GA Publisher ILA Preview Standards Resources & Preparation Instructional Plan Related Resources Comments Overview
4.9. (802) $5.30. PDF. Get your students in the festive spirit with our St. Patrick's Day and Spring themed worksheets creative writing packet! With 33 pages of engaging activities, your students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their writing skills, critical thinking, and storytelling skills.Each worksheet features fun St ...
Grade 4-6 descriptive writing unit plan includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, student worksheets, shared reading texts, mentor text suggestions, checklists, publishing ideas, teacher answer key, teacher scripts, anchor charts, rubric for assessment and MORE! ... Look no further than our food-themed 5 senses descriptive writing worksheets ...
In this Grade 6 English video lesson we will be teaching you about Descriptive Paragraphs.We've sourced highly-qualified and experienced South African teache...