Language Arts Lesson Plan

Expanding Ideas with Detail1

Grades 1 2

Objective

Materials

Procedures

After this activity, students should be able to

Identify adjectives
Analyze how colors, numbers, and emotions serve as
adjectives
Explore adjective use in writing
Discover how adjectives can make writing more
interesting
Work in small groups
Properly search for pictures online
Paper for drawing activity
Grammar Journal and pencil
Blue, yellow, and green highlighter
Print resources about adjectives
Small ball
IPads
1. Begin by having students draw what they think of
when they are read a sentence that contains no
adjectives on the specific paper. Allow about 10
minutes for drawing.
2. Read Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What Is an Adjective
by Brain P. Clearly. (Other books listed too)
3. After reading have students begin making a list of
adjectives, either to describe people, the room, or an
object.
a. Make this list on the white board and ask
students to copy down the words into their
Grammar Journal for future use.
4. Once they seem to have a good understanding of
what an adjective is, write examples on the board.
For example: John is tall and was able to read the
small red box.
a. First show them what you want done with the
example.

1 Adapted from http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lessonplans/pendemonium-the-great-china-chase-adjectives.cfm

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Basic Grammar Skills

Language Arts Lesson Plan

i. Circle nouns (person, place, or thing)

in blue
ii. Circle the verbs in green
iii. Circle the adjectives in yellow (use
orange on the board)
b. Have students watch this example then give a
few others and have them do the work in their
book first then ask for volunteers to come up.
5. Once the students have a better grasp, send them
back to their desks to work as a group.
a. Each table will work together to write a short
story, at least 10 sentences, and have them
include between 4 to 6 adjectives in their
story.
b. Have the students share the story to the class.
c. After the story is read, ask the rest of the class
which adjectives they recall hearing to see if
they can easily point them out. Do so by using
a ball and having students pass it around the
room to the person they want to answer the
question.
6. If given the time, have students go back to their table
and each table will have one of the class IPads.
a. The tables will be told a word to look up. Ex.
cat, park, rose.
b. Students must find three pictures that fit that
word and list 4 adjectives to explain the
picture.
c. Have students show the picture on their IPad
screens to the class and explain the adjectives
they chose to the class.
7. Once they have a clear understanding have them
look back to the first activity/worksheet.
a. This time read a sentence similar to the first
one, except this time there are adjectives
given. Have the students draw what they
picture this time.
b. Have a few show their work and explain how
adjectives add details and make things more
clear and interesting.
Take the pictures and keep to display around the room or for
student portfolios.

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Basic Grammar Skills

Language Arts Lesson Plan

At the end of the week, and after much reinforcement of the

idea, give a small quiz in the form of their pre-English lesson
activity. Give students 3 sentences and have them follow the
same procedures as in the Grammar Journal in marking
Assessment
nouns, verbs, and adjectives. 9 points total: 1 for the noun (3
each), 1 for the verb (3), and 1 for the adjective (3). Be sure
to look for any misunderstanding to provide extra help where
needed.)
Cleary, Brain. Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What Is an
Adjective? Carolrhoda Books, 2001.
Dahl, Michael. If You Were an Adjective. Picture Window
Books, 2006.
Resources
Heinrichs, Ann. Adjectives (Magic of Language). Childs
World, 2004.
Trice, Linda. Kenyas Word. Charlesbridge Publishing.
2006.
2.W.6.1 Demonstrate command of English grammar and
usage, focusing on:
2.W.6.1a Nouns/Pronouns Writing sentences that
include common, proper, possessive, and collective
nouns, irregular plural nouns, and personal and
possessive pronouns.
Academic State Standards
2.W.6.1b Verbs Writing sentences that use the past
tense of frequently occurring irregular verbs.
Understanding the functions of different types of verbs
(e.g., action, linking) in sentences.
2.W.6.1c Adjectives/ Adverbs Writing sentences that use
adjectives and adverbs.

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Basic Grammar Skills