Animal Adjectives

Students will describe animals as they review nouns and verbs associated with these animals. They will learn to use adjectives as they describe the animals. They will use this knowledge to write their stories about animals. A lesson plan for grades 1–2 English Language Arts and English Language Development This lesson uses children's literature to assist students in writing an opinion using adjectives and figurative language. The Mitten by Jan Brett is used in the lesson to prompt descriptive writing using adjectives.  The animal printout that is included in the lesson has some animal pictures that are not in the book.  Students will describe animals as they review nouns and verbs associated with these animals. They will learn to use adjectives as they describe the animals. They will use this knowledge to write their stories about animals.

 

Weblink address (URL): 
Animal Adjectives

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Students will:

  • remember that naming words are called nouns and words that show action are called verbs.
  • use a variety of nouns and verbs to write a story about their favorite animal.
  • begin to use adjectives to describe the animal and add interest to their story.
Essential and guiding questions: 

Does the student write using nouns and verbs properly as well as proper punctuation?

Does the student begin to use adjectives to describe the animal being written about?

Does the student begin to use adjectives in conversation as well as written word?

Does the student easily use the keyboard for typing the story that is written?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Differentiation suggestions: 

An assessment suggestions would be to present pictures of animals to the LEP students. Then provide strips of paper with adjectives and verbs on the strips. The LEP student can then glue correct strips to the picture.

Another assessment would be to match pictures of verbs or nouns to the actual word. IE: match a picture of a tiger eating to the word eat, or a picture of a bear to the word bear.

Extension suggestions: 

This lesson can be expanded to include a comparison of Jan Brett’s “The Mitten” and Alvin Tressalt’s “The Mitten” The latter book is out of print but there are copies still around. Check your school and/or local library for this book. The animals are slightly different and Nicki’s reason for going outside in the first place is different as well as the kind of mitten, but it makes a good comparison lesson. Animals for this lesson are provided in the attached files. Both are animals for this story, however, you may like one set better than the other because one is more realistic than the other.

 

Helpful Hints

The students will need basic knowledge of:

  • nouns and verbs
  • a computer keyboard
  • animals and how they look and move

Materials needed:

  • The book The Mitten by Jan Brett
  • Worksheets with animals from the story (see Animals 1 and Animals 2)
  • Pencils, Crayons or markers, scissors, glue or stapler
  • Lined paper
  • Graphic organizer
  • Paint program on computer

Technology resources:

  • Computer (Lab, if available) and printer
  • Smart TV
  • Kidspiration (if available)
  • Overhead projector could also be used

References

Contributors: 
Paula Cox
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation