Discovering Adjectives

Objectives & Outcomes

Students will be able to describe objects using creative adjectives.

Materials Needed

• A bundle of grapes, 4 apples, 4 cookies, 4 saltine crackers, 4 juice boxes. (numbers may need to be augmented for larger classes)
• Describing words worksheet (attached).
• NOTE: for this activity you will need to ask volunteers or the school cafeteria in advance to bring in a variety of fruits. The foods listed are suggestions.

Procedure

Opening to Lesson

• Ask the students what an Adjective is and write their definition on the board. (A describing word).
• Ask students what their favorite adjectives are and make a list of as many as they can think of on the board.
• Delicious, fun, pretty, smart, happy, sad, angry, rich, red, green, blue, cold, hot, sweet….

Body of Lesson

Modeling

• The teacher shows the students a bundle of grapes and asks how many students have eaten grapes before. Probably all of the students have.
• Now ask students what adjectives listed on the board could describe the look of the grapes.
• Add words to the list as students shout them out: green, purple, round, small, oval, smooth, pretty, weird…
• Now give a few students a grape and ask them what the grape physically feels like to the touch: cold, round, wet, sticky…
• Smell the grapes and instruct students to do the same, add more adjectives to the board: fruity, sweet,…
• Now eat one of the grapes and tell the students “Mmmm, delicious, sweet, a little sour, juicy, etc…” Let some students eat the grapes and add more adjectives to the list.
• Now ask those students how they feel after eating the grapes: hungry, happy, satisfied…
• Now ask the students who didn’t participate how they feel: hungry, sad…
• Give the rest of the students a grape.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into groups of 4.
• Give each student a worksheet.
• Pass out 4 identical objects to each group (1 group receives 4 apples, group 2 receives 4 juice boxes, etc…)
• Instruct students to wait for your instructions as they work in their groups.
• In groups, students will write as many adjectives as they can think of in the box that corresponds with Look.
• Next, students will write as many adjectives as they can think of in the box that corresponds with Touch.
• Next, students will write as many adjectives as they can think of in the box that corresponds with Smell.
• Next, students will write as many adjectives as they can think of in the box that corresponds with Taste.
• Finally, students will write as many adjectives as they can think of in the box that corresponds with Feel (emotional)
• Depending on time, you can give students an additional worksheet and repeat the assignment with another food object.

Independent Practice

• As independent practice, students will write a summary of the days activity, using their favorite adjectives.
• Ex. Today in class I worked with my group to describe an apple. First, we just looked at the apple, it was round, red and inviting. Next, we touched the cool, smooth apple and thought of more adjectives to describe it. Then, we ate the apple. It was delicious, juicy and sweet. Finally we described how eating the apple made me feel. It made me feel happy and satisfied, but also ready for lunch! All in all, it was a fantastic activity.

Closing

Have students read their summaries aloud. Encourage students to repeat the activity at home with their family, commenting on the colors and tastes of their dinner.

Assessment & Evaluation

Students will be asked to write a summary of the activity which includes creative adjectives.

Modification & Differentiation

The teacher can work in with students in small groups for those who need extra assistance. Monetary modifications: For classrooms that do not have access to food for each student, consider asking the cafeteria for assistance. If that is not an option, use non-food items such as a playground ball, rocks, grass, sand, flowers, etc… and omit the “Taste” section of the assignment.

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