LitCamp Sentence Builder | Grade 1

S’MORE WRITING Sentences With Pizzazz LESSON OBJECTIVE LitCampers will use descriptive words—adjectives and strong verbs— to give their sentences pizzazz. MATERIALS

• Writing paper, crayons, and pencils • Chart paper or whiteboard • Copy of charts (p. 2) to display and model, and a copy for each camper.

picture. To do that, we can ask and answer questions that will help us add details to our sentences and give them pizzazz. So, let’s ask a question about the subject of my sentence— the bear. My question is: “What kind of bear?” Point to and read the adjectives on the chart that might describe a bear. Invite campers to suggest others. Model adding the adjective hairy to your sentence. Then say: Now, let’s find a stronger verb than went to describe how the bear moved through the woods. Point to and discuss the verbs on the chart that are more descriptive than went . Ask campers for other suggestions, then model adding the word stomped to the sentence. Ask: How do these descriptive words change your understanding of the sentence? TRY: Distribute “What Kind of Baby?” charts to campers. Say: Campers, let’s see what you can do. Use the same routine to add pizzazz to the sentence, “The baby made noise.” Brainstorm and jot down adjectives you might use to describe a baby. Choose one, and add it to your sentence. Next, brainstorm and jot down stronger verbs to replace made noise . Choose one, and add it to your sentence. Share your new sentence with a partner. CLARIFY: Say: Simple sentences can be okay. But descriptive words add details to your writing and make it more interesting and informative for your reader. When you write, choose and use descriptive words that will help your reader imagine what you are picturing in your mind. In other words: give your writing pizzazz!

INTRODUCE LESSON: Explain that in this lesson campers will take basic sentences—subject and verb, or who or what ... does what—and give them pizzazz by adding descriptive adjectives and strong verbs. TEACH: Say: When something has pizzazz, it has style or flair. Today, we’re going to add pizzazz to our sentences. How? First, we’re going to add words to describe the subject of the sentence—the noun, or the “who” or “what” it is about. Words that describe nouns are called adjectives. Next, we’re going to replace ho-hum verbs, or action words, with strong verbs to make our sentences more interesting. Model using the “What Kind of Bear?” chart. Say: Listen as I say this sentence: “The bear went through the woods.” It is a complete sentence. It has a subject, bear , and a verb, went . But it doesn’t give me very much information. I’m curious to know more. As writers, we can picture in our minds what we’re describing. We want to be sure we give our readers the same ML SUPPORT Invite campers to notice how in English, adjectives stay the same and come before the noun. In many languages, adjectives match in number and gender and follow the noun. For example, in Spanish you would say perros escandalosos and niñas risueñas, while in English you would say noisy dogs and smiley girls .

What Kind of Bear? Simple Sentence: The bear went through the woods.

Noun: bear What kind of bear?

Verb: went How did the bear go?

Questions about the …

Add …

+ adjective

+ strong verb

hairy, enormous, hungry, brown

ran, stomped, tore, roared

Descriptive words, adjectives, and strong verbs

To get …

The hairy bear went through the woods.

The hairy bear stomped through the woods.

A sentence with pizzazz!

What Kind of Baby? Simple Sentence: The baby made noise.

Noun: baby What kind of baby?

Verb: made noise How did the baby sound?