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Friday, September 7, 2012

A Week of Strong Verbs

This week, my writing target skill in first and second grade was all about using strong verbs. Teaching them now, right off the bat, will surely help my budding writers express themselves. We learned how strong verbs help the reader visualize what the writer is saying. Hearing first graders say the word "visualization" is hysterical! Here are some of the activities we did:

We read two great books that are chock full of strong verbs.

My Crayons Talk
by Patricia Hubbard

The Wind Blew
by Pat Hutchins

We made a chart of the verbs from the books and other verbs that came to mind. *The verb toot, refers to a musical instrument. We also discussed how some verbs could also be nouns, depending on how they are used in a sentence.

In second grade, we used picture cards to help us make more lists of verbs.

The children worked collaboratively in groups to find as many strong verbs as they could.

In second grade, the children also worked collaboratively to search for strong verbs in storybooks. They made a list of them and shared their list with the class. We added some of these words to our chart and to our parts of speech word wall.

Together, we looked at a picture and wrote some sentences using strong verbs. The children came to the board and underlined the strong verbs. 


Then, I gave the children their own cards and they worked independently to write sentences using strong verbs. They highlighted their verbs.

In first grade, we brainstormed activities we could do outside and then the children wrote about their favorite outdoor activities, making sure to use a few strong verbs.


We also sang songs about verbs, played verb charades, and worked collaboratively to change the weak verb in a sentence to a strong verb. The children impressed me with all the strong verbs they thought of. Now, I will challenge them every day to use these vivid verbs in their writing and when they speak.

11 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fun week! I enjoyed reading your post and looking at the pictures. I haven't read the books you mentioned, and will have to check them out! Lauren Teacher Mom of 3

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  2. Aww I love your pictures!! Their writing is too cute! :)

    Cindy
    Primary Reading Party

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  3. sounds like a good time....im a little jealous that you have perfect handwriting....i have to make Teri ( cupcake for the teacher) write my posters out for me lol

    justwildaboutteaching.blogspot.com

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  4. What great work they are all doing Lori. Love the book choices! My Crayons Talk is one of my favourites.

    Leslie

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  5. I love that you are teaching first graders to use strong verbs! As a 4th grade writing teacher, I understand the importance. I'd also like to invite you to my new linky called "Fun Friday." It is all about the fun things we do in our classrooms to teach our students. I'd love for you to stop by and link up!

    Kelly
    Teaching Fourth

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  6. Your students' writing is great! Sometimes SOMETIMES I miss my end-of-the-year-kinders so much that I want to loop. ;)

    Great verb activities - thank you for posting!

    Kristen
    I do, We Do, You Do!

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  7. Great lesson and ideas, as always!! Your kiddos are lucky to have you!

    If you get a moment, stop by my blog - I love to give freebies!

    Growing Firsties

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  8. I use those same picture flashcards! I love the pictures of your kids' work - SO cute :)

    - Sasha
    The Autism Helper

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  9. Where did you get the picture cards? I love them!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Michelle! You can find them here:

      http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parts-of-Speech-684534

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