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AFTER READING
OBJECTIVES
Genre Journal Entry
Writer's Craft Sensory Details
Writing Trait Word Choice
  • Identify the
    characteristics of a
    journal entry.
  • Write a journal entry with
    sensory details.
  • Focus on word choice.
  • Use a rubric.
ELL
Word Choice If students write home-language words, use the following resources to find replacement words:
  • conversations with you,
  • other home-language speakers,
  • bilingual dictionaries,
  • online translation sources.
Writing Trait
FOCUS/IDEAS The writer
responds to an object or event in nature.
ORGANIZATION/PARAGRAPHS
A topic sentence indicates the journal entry's focus, and a conclusion ends it neatly.
VOICE Writing describes the
feelings and responses of the writer.
WORD CHOICE The writer uses
vivid verbs and descriptive words that appeal to readers' senses.
SENTENCES Varying sentence
lengths and types emphasize sensory details.
CONVENTIONS There is excellent
control and accuracy, including use of action and linking verbs.
DAY 1
Model the Trait
DAY 2
Improve Writing
DAY 3
Prewrite and Draft
DAY 4
Draft and Revise
DAY 5
Connect to Unit Writing
READING-WRITING CONNECTION
  • The Gardener reveals the experiences of a girl through her letters.
  • The story describes vividly a year of living with Uncle Jim, growing plants, and learning.
  • Students will write a journal entry using vivid words and sensory details.
MODEL WORD CHOICE Discuss Writing Transparency 11A. Then discuss the model and the writing trait of word choice.
Think Aloud The writer brings the beach to life by choosing vivid adjectives and strong verbs. For example, white, dark blue, and light blue help me picture the sand, ocean, and sky. Roars suggests the loud ocean sound. I can almost smell the salty air at the beach and feel the warm and scratchy sand under my feet.
Writing Transparency
Writing Transparency 11A
with | without Answers
WRITER'S CRAFT
Sensory Details
Display Writing Transparency 11B. Read the directions and work together to identify the senses to which sensory details appeal.
Think Aloud USE SENSORY DETAILS
Tomorrow we will write a journal entry about a special place. What sensory details can I use to describe a barn? I could describe the "sweet, grassy smell of hay." That appeals to the sense of smell. I could write, "a cow moos softly." This detail appeals to the sense of hearing. Details like these make vivid word pictures for readers.
GUIDED WRITING Some students may need more help recognizing sensory details. Point out some sensory details in other selections and have students identify the senses to which they appeal.
Writing Transparency
Writing Transparency 11B
with | without Answers
READ THE WRITING PROMPT
on page 299 in the Student Edition.
The Gardener describes a special garden.
Think about a special place in nature.
Now write a journal entry about that place, using vivid words.
Writing Test Tips
  • Name the traits of the place that appeal to each sense.
  • Use vivid verbs, nouns, and descriptive words in details about each sense.
  • Use phrases such as across the field and in the air to create a sense of place.
GETTING STARTED Students can do any of the following:
  • Make a concept web with Outdoor places in the center.
  • Close their eyes and think about a favorite outdoor place, recalling its sights, sounds, and smells.
  • Look through books and magazines with many visuals of the natural world for ideas.
EDITING/REVISING
CHECKLIST
  • Does the writing appeal to different senses?
  • Do the sensory details make the place come alive?
  • Do action verbs help make each detail vivid? Do linking verbs link the subject to descriptive details?
  • Are contractions spelled correctly?
See The Grammar and Writing Book, pp. 110–115.
Revising Tips
Word Choice
  • Support your journal entry with vivid, precise verbs.
  • If you use feel as a linking verb, follow it with descriptive words.
  • Use words that appeal to the senses, such as red, boom, and sweet.
PUBLISHING Students can read their journal entries aloud in a small group. Some students may wish to revise their work later.
 
ASSESSMENT Use the scoring rubric to evaluate students' work.
Week 1
Journal Entry
303g–303h
Week 2
Skit 329g–329h
Week 3
Friendly Letter
353g–353h
Week 4
News Story
379g–379h
Week 5
Compare/Contrast Paragraph 399g–399h
Compare and Contrast Essay
PREVIEW THE UNIT PROMPT
Write an essay that compares and contrasts two things in nature.
Your subjects could be two plants, animals, seasons, or weather conditions. Use words that show
what you are describing.
APPLY
  • A compare and contrast
    essay compares and
    contrasts two things. It uses
    transition words and details
    to show likenesses and
    differences.
  • A vividly described topic in
    a journal entry could be one
    of the items featured in a
    compare and contrast essay.
Writing Workshop   Journal Entry
Trait of the Week
Word choice
 
   
Close  
Writing Trait Rubric  
4 3 2 1
Word Choice
Vivid style created by use of exact nouns, strong verbs, exciting adjectives, and clear figurative language
Some style created by strong and precise words
Little style created by strong, precise words; some lack of clarity
Word choice vague or incorrect
Uses strong, specific words that make journal entry unusually clear and lively
Uses some specific words that make journal entry clear
Needs more precise word choice to create style and clarity in journal entry
Journal entry made dull or unclear by poor word choice