Developing Artistic Writing.pdf - Brevard Public Schools

A Room with a View
Objective: Students will identify sensory words and will describe their favorite places using
sensory language.
Anticipatory Set: Read the samples from the mentor text and discuss the sensory words.
Modeling: Ask students: “How would you describe our classroom to a person who has never
seen it? You might say it has four walls and a ceiling. Would that tell them what our room is
like? It probably would not give the person a clear picture of our classroom. For a person to
really understand what our room is like, you need to tell them all the details that make our room
special.” Write the words Our Classroom on the whiteboard or chart paper. Below that, write
the headings: see, hear, smell. Use a different color for each heading to help students
differentiate between categories. Write one sensory word for each of the categories listed and
add the heading: feelings (the word feelings is added after the tone of the lesson is set with see,
hear and smell). Write a sensory word that describes the feelings of the classroom.
Guided Practice: The students will contribute sensory words to the list or chart that describe
how their classroom looks, sounds, feels, and smells. The teacher will add these words to the
whiteboard or chart paper. Once the chart or list is complete, the teacher and students will write
a descriptive paragraph about their classroom. For example, The best classroom at Seaside
Elementary is Mrs. Emerald’s 4 th grade. Colorful writing posters are plastered all over the blue
walls. The bright fluorescent lights buzz throughout the room and the fresh, clean aroma
permeates the air.
Independent Practice: The students will write about their favorite room. The students will
close their eyes and think of their favorite room. Have them imagine themselves in that room.
“What does it look like? Are there any pictures on the walls? What do they do in this room and
how does the room make them feel?” The students will create sensory word charts like the
teacher’s model and will write descriptive paragraphs (using their chart) about their favorite
room.
Publishing/Sharing: The students will illustrate their rooms and will attach their writing and
display them on a bulletin board entitled A Room with a View.
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