Alabama ELA Standard: 2.LF.7.e

Let’s take a starting phrase about St. Patrick’s Day and get specific. No, even more specific!

How many different ways can we use the word “care”? Let’s find out in this Parts of Speech Party!

Let’s make this simile about a strong uncle even more specific.

Start with a basic simile. Now make it more specific. Now even more. Watch how much better writing gets with each round.

Let’s make this simile about a quick baby even more specific.

Let’s make this simile about a loud class super specific!

Start with a basic simile. Now make it more specific. Now even more. Watch how much better writing gets with each round.

What if we started a sentence with the simile?

What if a students’ self-portrait was made of words that describe the student!?

A specific technique to help students add some spice to their writing. We’ll be using antonyms to describe the same topic!

Students use 12 random phrases to create a story that takes place at the zoo.

Students pick from 12 random phrases to create a story about an incident in a restaurant.

Students use 12 random phrases to write a story that takes place in at an amusement park.

Asking students to “think creatively” won’t get you far. They won’t know how to start, they’ll get stuck with simple ideas, or they’ll just go completely wild. SCAMPER is a tool for scaffolding the process of creativity.

When students are told that they’re “smart”, what does this word actually mean to them? (Psst. It isn’t what we intended.)

‘Add more variety!’ teachers say. But how? This lesson gives students actual techniques instead of vague advice.

We’ll start with the cliché “as cold as ice” and go somewhere much more interesting.