Prep Bulletin
A Snapshot into Writing
Learning Intention:
We are learning to identify and use WOW words to make our writing interesting.
Background:
In this learning experience, students used a mentor text to create a piece of writing. They identified the text structure in the mentor text, using words that begin with the same sound (alliteration) and the use of adjectives as ‘wow’ words. “Wow” words are words students are encouraged to use that are outside of their regular vocabulary, allowing them to start growing their vocabulary and make their writing more engaging.
Students learnt that using WOW words make the reader or listener say, “WOW!”
Learning Experience:
Whole Class
First, as a class we read the mentor text ‘I like Bugs’. During reading, the class discussed the different ways the author described Bugs, the structure of the text (only two words on each line), how the text is about one topic, the pattern in the book (repetition), and the descriptive (wow) words.
Together we created an anchor chart (see below example) highlighting these key parts of the text and how we can use these when writing our sentences.
Small
Then, the students created their own ‘I Like Bugs book’. Each page focused on a different animal and students had to describe these animals using wow words and the same text structure as the mentor text. The activity was differentiated in 3 ways;
Enable: Students used the template provided with animals for each page and focused on the beginning sounds of each word. Students used their alphabet mat to help them identify the letter for each sound.
Explore: Students used the template provided with animals for each page and focused on the beginning and ending sounds in words. They had a go at spelling some CVC (consonant vowel consonant) words correctly.
Extending: Students completed the animal pages provided then came up with their own animal at the end. They focused on all sounds they could hear in words and had a go at spelling CVC words and tricky words correctly.
In this learning experience, students will work towards:
- Noticing the authors word choice in a text
- Noticing and using the structure from a text in their own writing
- Using describing words (adjectives) in their own writing
- Repeating the same initial sound as the animal they are focusing on to make their writing interesting
Examples of students work:
What you can do now to continue the learning at home from this experience:
- Encourage your child to read their book to you and identify the WOW words they used
- On a nature walk, create a list of WOW words to describe the objects or animals you see
- Spot different WOW words in books you read at home
- Create a list of different ways to change an ordinary word into a WOW word
(eg. Big: Tall, Huge, Gigantic, Massive)
Alyssa, Paisley and Julian
Prep Team
Alyssa.Thermos@education.vic.gov.au