Writing Lesson Plan: Handprint Adjective Booklet

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about adjectives.
2. Practise using adjectives.

Materials:

1. Before lesson, enough paper is cut to create booklets for each student.  The paper is cut large enough for a student handprint.  There will be a front and back cover (made of solid coloured paper)  plus 3-4 lined pages for each booklet.
2. Before lesson, make a booklet for each child, using the pre-cut paper.  To do this, assemble a cover page, 3-4 lined sheets, plus the solid coloured back cover, for each student.  Then staple each booklet with two staples close together, like a book binding (where the student will place their wrist when they trace their hand), and one additional staple on the opposite side along the edge, only to hold pages together while they cut out their traced hand.
3. For teacher:  staple, staples
4. For students:   scissors, smelly coloured markers, crayons, scotch tape, ruler, pencil, eraser.
5. Chartboard or blackboard for brainstorming adjective lists.
6. stickers of animals or things, feathers, cut-out magazine pictures, small spiders or flies from Halloween bags of 30 to tape unto booklet pages, magazines for students to cut out pictures

Method:

1. Begin by talking about adjectives.  Access their prior knowledge.  Teach them about adjectives.
2. Show them the stickers and spiders or flies.  Have a few magazine pictures to show them.  Tell them they can cut out some of their favourite small pictures to use. (it has to fit onto the hand, with the writing on it)
3. Brainstorm some adjectives for the objects you have shown them, on the chalkboard or chartpaper.  Notice how some end in “y” or “ly”.
4. Tell them they will be making an Adjective Booklet.  Show them one you have made.  Read it to them.
5. Write down on the chalkboard, or whiteboard, what you want them to print on the cover.  Have them draw a straight line with pencil and ruler.  Print “What is in my hand?” neatly on the line they have drawn on the cover page.  They can decorate the cover with rings or painted nails, etc.
6. On the inside pages, they will print “I have a spider in my hand.  How does it feel?  It feels” on the lined paper.
7. On the fingers, they will print the adjectives.  They may draw a straight line on each fingertip if they wish  (not necessary).
8. Show students how to place their wrist on top of the two staples, with their hand on the top cover (make sure smooth edges of staples are on top).
9. Show students how to hold down the booklet, while tracing one of their hands, with fingers spread open.  Friends will be able to help trace each other’s hands if they wish.
10. Tell students that they will then carefully cut out their handprint, so that the two staples are still holding the booklet together at the wrist.
11. Before they begin to work, ask students to tell you how they will be making their booklets.  Ask them what they are printing on the cover.  Ask them where they will use their rulers.  Ask them what they will print inside their booklets.  Ask them where the adjectives will go.  (It is important that you clarify the method before they begin, so that booklets don’t need to be restapled, or new booklets made for them.)
12. When they understand how and what they will be doing, give a booklet to each student to begin.
13. When booklets are complete, have students come together in a learning circle to read their booklets to the class, or form small groups and have students read their books to each other.  Have them read the last line as “It feels soft.  It feels tickley.  It feels creepy.  It feels light.  It feels furry.”    Members can switch between small groups for more reading fun.  Booklets can all be placed in a reading corner for the week so that all the students can have a chance to see and read them all.

Tags: Adjectives, Art, booklet, creativity, decorate