Word Choice

Word Choice is all about catching the reader's attention. When looking at your or your student's writing, here are some questions to ask to make sure the right word(s) are being used:

1. Have I used words that I really love? Words are vivid, descriptive, and precise.
   
2. Can my reader tell what my words mean? Words clarify and explain meaning.
3. Have I used any NEW words?
4. Did I try not to repeat any words too many times?

There are many great picture books to use to help teach word choice to children. Here are a few that I have investigated (including minilessons):

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming. Henry Holt and Co. 1993.
The animals and insects that live on and in a freshwater pond wiggle, waddle, hover, swoop and swirl through the stunning spreads--and through the seasons of the year. Fish, frogs and fowl cavort first in the vibrant greens and yellows of spring and summer, then on through fiery autumn reds and oranges and, finally, amid barren browns and icy whites as winter sets in.

MiniLesson: Write about something in nature that you are thankful.

1. Take a picture walk-empathize on the words that correspond with the animals.
2. Read the story.
3. Discuss the descriptive verbs found in the story. Talk about what the author did to get the reader interested in the story.
4. Brainstorm a list of favorite verbs-running, jumping, climbing...
5. Change the words in the story with a new verb.
6. Students will illustrate a picture of their favorite verb.

Ohio Academic Content Standards: Kindergarten
Research
2. Use books or observations to gather information, with teacher's assistance, to explain a topic or unit of study.

Click, Clack, Quackity Quack by Doreen Cronin. Atheneum, 2005.
The alphabetical adventure begins as the Animals awake and ends 25 letters later with them peacefully snoring Zzzzzzzz….

Minilesson: Class book of animals and association of verbs with assigned letter.

1. Take a picture walk. Point out the way the book is written-Alphabet book with a twist.
2. Read the story.
3. Over the course of a couple days, brainstorm a list of animals. Use the dictionary if you and the students get "stuck". Talk about what the animal could be doing (associate the letter with the verb).
   
4. Assign a letter or letters to each student.
5. Using the brainstorm list, have each child illustrate an animal and have them write what action the animal is doing.
6. Have a publishing party and share the book with the class. Invite parents as well!

Ohio Academic Content Standards: Kindergarten
Writing Application
2. Name or label objects or places.