Words are Things! Lesson Plan

Words are Things

Mood and Metaphor

Tools:

Dictionary, Basket of Same Six Words, Index Cards, Writing Utensils

Set up:

Prior to class:

Place a single index card on each student seating area. Place a sample near the front on a desk.

Create zones (in different room areas) with post it notes for each word.

Write bolded underlined info on boards left to right beginning with first.

As students enter classroom allow them to draw a word from basket. Direct them to draw what they drew.  Allow settling time.

Introduction of self

Warm-up

Draw the word you drew on a card.  Make a visual representation of that word.

When you select your word- write the word in the center of the card and begin to draw what that word feels like.

pictureless

Words brighten my day!

Let me let you in on a secret.  Words are things, and I have proof.  Who can tell me the definition of a noun? What for response. That is correct. Person, place or thing. I have a sentence on the board. What’s the noun in this sentence. Words! Is it a person? Is it a place? It’s a thing. So today we are going to create more proof of this statement words are things by using metaphors to create a sensory poem.

Lesson

Words can allow writers and readers to bring in mood.

MOOD: The words used in a piece of writing with the intention of evoking a certain emotion or feeling from the reader.      Reference sentence.

METAPHOR: A comparison of two different things to create figurative language to imply likeness. A simile is a metaphor using the words "like," "as" or "as if."

Things have particular attributes that we can also give to words through our senses using metaphors. The word I have to use often is focus and I’ve given it some thing-like characteristics.

Focus is clear

Focus sounds like radio station static when driving from one Texas town to the next. 

Focus smells like the day before the rain.

Focus tastes like air and 

It looks like the light.  The light at the end of the tunnel. 

Focus feels like shoulders up. 

Focus is clear

Let’s do one together: love, wealth, fun, kisses.  Take class responses

You can do the same with your word by creating a sensory poem on the back of your card. Talk them through this, then give time for extra response. Explain that their simile can be one word or many to get to the point.

Name your positive word is and finish with a color

Name the word Sounds like...

Name the word Smells like...

Name the word Tastes like..., and

It Looks like... 

Name the word Feels like...

Name a positive word is and finish with a color

On the front of your card write the word... then add the mood you just created with your sensory poem.

On the back write your poem.

Start music play video while work walk around and pass out stickers.

Extension and Technology Inclusion

When the exercise is finished have the same word students congregate in that word’s area that was assigned with the post-it notes.  Allow them to share results. Cards can be arranged for phone photos for screensavers or to post to twitter: @toimaginemore and fb: https://www.facebook.com/pictureless

In longer classes take volunteers to act (silently mime) out the word – Name that word.

Talk about purpose as it relates to life.

Close class with t h a n k s.

see samples on this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h8eAQUtrug&noredirect=1