Imagery:  Write a Paragraph Using 5 Senses Details

(A Halloween Creative Writing Lesson)

Grade Level: 6

Subject: English/Language Arts

               Using Imagery and writing a Narrative Paragraph Using 5 Senses Details

Duration:45-60 minutes

DOK Level: 2

Objective: Students will write a narrative paragraph using 5 senses details.

Introduction:  Students gain an understanding of why we use sensory details in our writing.  Watch youTube video giving examples of high quality sensory details in your writing.  Sensory Details in Writing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWIGhi0lVmw

Prewriting Activity:

1. At some point before the lesson, have students decorate an egg carton eyeball using markers. Prior to handing out the “eyes”, paint them using white tempera paint and allow them to dry.  This makes for a great “hook” to the lesson and the “eyes” can be stapled to the papers. Sixth graders really appreciate getting to do something crafty and they turn out adorable! This Google document will help you to see the process. Display this Google document of eyeball images while students are decorating and again on the day of your lesson. Safety Note: If you do not already know if you have students with food allergies or sensitivities, be sure that you are asking this a couple of days before the lesson. If students are unsure, be sure to ask parents for specifics.
2. On the day of the lesson, bring in the following 5 senses supplies:

~ For feeling: Four boiled/peeled eggs in an orange pumpkin container that students can easily reach into and feel as you hold the container high enough so that they cannot see what is in it. Be sure to have them wash their hands afterwards.

~ For smelling: pumpkin pie spice in a container that does not tell the name

 ~ For “sounds like”: packing bubbles that you can stomp on at the back of the room (students should be facing forward with eyes closed when you do this)

~ For tasting: enough Warheads or lemon drops or fireballs for each student to eat. I do this one last so that students can savor it while they are writing.

~ For “looks like”: Display this Google document with eyeball images

Writing Activity

Using a mentor piece for creating your own writing.  The Poem:  The Perfect Cup of Hot Cocoa  https://barbaravance.com/29116_sb_text-pdf/ along with picture book examples Shark Lady:  The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating and Mud by Mary Lyn Ray.  Who uses Sensory Details in their writing?  Restaurants, news writers, businesses, product development, etc.  See website for reasons why we use vivid language in our writing. How to Arouse the Magic of Sensory Words https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/sensory-words/

Example of Sensory Details in a Poem

Print and pass out this Google document titled Eyeball Creative Writing Lesson. Depending upon your class and their familiarity with rubrics, you may decide to go over the scoring rubric together or just have them read over it on their own and then ask any questions they may have. Next up...FUN times, students will take notes while you introduce all of the 5 senses materials! I always like to do this as a “top secret” kind of activity. I do not tell what the items are or show what they are. I instruct students to keep their ideas about what the items are to themselves so that it does not ruin the fun for others. This is my absolute favorite lesson of the year because I LOVE to watch their faces when they feel inside the container filled with the boiled eggs.

Students are now ready to write an awesome eyeball themed narrative paragraph.

This lesson would break up nicely into a two 30-45 minute lessons as well. Day 1 could be decorating the eyeball and going over the scoring rubric. Day 2 could be experiencing the 5 senses materials and writing the paragraph.

Product or Assessment: 5 senses notes; A paragraph using 5 senses details

Enrichment:

1. Students could read their paragraphs to the class the following day.  

2.  Students are partnered together.  Each partner reads their writing while the other partner draws a detailed sketch of what they see when listening to the writing.

2. A writing contest could be held. Post the paragraphs in the hallway for staff members to vote on a winner. Make sure you share the scoring rubric online to staff members and have a paper copy posted in the hallway too.