Scott Foresman Reading Street

Genre Writing About a Picture
Writer’s Craft Elaborating
Writing Trait Word Choice

Identify the characteristics of writing about a picture.
Write about a picture by elaborating on its features.
Focus on word choice.
Use a rubric.

Word Choice Pair an English learner with a proficient English speaker to discuss pictures in books or magazines. Have them list colorful words from the discussion to use in their writing.

IDEAS/FOCUS The paragraph

focuses on details in a picture.

ORGANIZATION/PARAGRAPHS

The details are arranged in a logical order.

VOICE The writer's voice

is observant and original.

WORD CHOICE The writer uses

vivid and precise words
(blades of grass, tiny grains)
to describe a picture.

SENTENCES Sentences of

different lengths and kinds are used.

CONVENTIONS Grammar and

mechanics are excellent, including use of commas.

Model the Trait

Improve Writing

Prewrite and Draft

Draft and Revise

Connect to Unit Writing

READING-WRITING CONNECTION

Two Bad Ants is an animal fantasy about two ants that behave like humans.
Animal fantasies often include interesting illustrations that come to life through the story's telling.
Students will write about a picture in the story by using vivid and precise words to describe it.

MODEL WORD CHOICE Discuss Writing Transparency 29A.
Discuss the model in terms of
the writing trait of word choice.

I see that the writer has
written a paragraph about
an interesting picture in
Two Bad Ants. The first sentence gets the reader's attention with a general description. The next sentences elaborate with use of vivid descriptive words. The concluding sentence sums up
why this picture is especially interesting.

Writing Transparency 29A

with | without Answers

WRITER'S CRAFT

Elaborating

Display Writing Transparency 29B. Read the directions and work together to decide how to best elaborate the sentences on the transparency.

ELABORATING Tomorrow
we will write a paragraph about a picture in Two
Bad Ants. I will elaborate
on the main idea by writing specific details. I want to include details and examples to describe what I see in the picture. I can describe colors, sizes, and shapes. I can include sensory details in my paragraph.

GUIDED WRITING Some students may need more help with elaborating. Review some paragraphs from other selections and discuss with students the methods of elaboration used in the paragraphs.

Writing Transparency 29B

with | without Answers

READ THE WRITING PROMPT

on page 377 in the Student Edition.

Two Bad Ants describes the adventures of two ants.

Think about a picture in the story you find interesting.

Now write about that picture,
using vivid words.

Writing Test Tips

Use a strong topic sentence that makes a generalization about the picture's main traits.
Write details that illustrate these traits.
Think of one detail that is especially appealing.

GETTING STARTED Students can do any of the following:

Choose a picture and list details they observe in the picture.
Read the story with a partner, then close the book and discuss a picture that made a big impression.
Work with a group to discuss the story's pictures.

EDITING/REVISING
CHECKLIST

Does the paragraph focus on a picture?
Are facts, details, and/or examples used to elaborate the picture?
Are commas used correctly for clarity?
Are multisyllabic words spelled correctly?

See The Grammar and Writing Book, pp. 222–227.

Revising Tips

Word Choice

Use precise words to relate facts.
Use vivid nouns, verbs, and adjectives in descriptive details.
Use prepositions to make details more specific.

PUBLISHING With a partner, students can show the picture they chose and read their paragraphs aloud. Some students may wish to revise their work later.

ASSESSMENT Use the scoring rubric to evaluate students' work.

Week 1

Taking Notes
303g–303h

Week 2

Outlining 331g–331h

Week 3

Informational
Paragraph 353g–353h

Week 4

Writing About a
Picture 379g–379h

Week 5

Write Good
Paragraphs
407g–407h

Research Report

PREVIEW THE UNIT PROMPT

Write a research report about a
monument or statue that
symbolizes freedom in the United
States. Discuss the monument
itself, its history, and why it is
important. Find information in
sources such as books,
magazines, CD-ROMs, and the
Internet.

APPLY

A research report is an
informational article based
on research.
Writers use various types of
elaboration in a research
report.

Writing Workshop Writing About a Picture

Word Choice