Descriptive Writing Using Sensory Details:Lesson Objective & Standards Students will be able to write a descriptive writing piece that includes a variety of details that appeal to the senses—if applicable. 7.7.3.3 Write narratives and other creative texts to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well- structured event sequences. d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, figurative and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.

Conversation Calendar Which of the five senses do you find to be the most important? Which of the five senses would be the hardest to live without? Explain both of your responses.

5 Senses Activity…Use your five senses to describe the object 5 Senses Activity…Use your five senses to describe the object. Use only words or phrases—NO SENTENCES!!! You must write down at least 3 words to describe each object.

What am I? I come in a variety of colors and lengths. Sometimes I can be curly or straight. Sometimes things get added to me so that I don’t move and have to stay in a particular way. Sometimes women use an iron on me to straighten me out. Sometimes they use a hot stick to make me curly. I can be put up or I can hang naturally. Sometimes I get covered up especially in the winter or on hot summer days. What am I?

“What am I?” Paragraphs Choose one of the objects, and write a paragraph describing each of its elements without actually telling the reader what you are describing. Use as many of the 5 senses as you can within your description. Share your piece with a peer. Give your peer feedback—Praise (something you enjoyed), Question (something you didn’t understand), and Suggest (something to make the description better).

“Hairs” (Underline the details about hair as you read) Everybody in our family has different hair. My Papa’s hair is straight and sticks up. And me, my hair is flat and bands and barrettes don’t stay in it. Carlos’ hair is thick and straight. Nenny’s hair is soft. And Kiki, who is the youngest, has fluffy hair.

“Hairs” from The House on Mango Street—Sandra Cisneros (p “Hairs” from The House on Mango Street—Sandra Cisneros (p. 6-7) (Underline the details about hair as you read) Everybody in our family has different hair. My Papa’s hair is like a broom, all up in the air. And me, my hair is lazy. It never obeys barrettes or bands. Carlos’ hair is thick and straight. He doesn’t need to comb it. Nenny’s hair is slippery— slides out of your hand. And Kiki, who is the youngest, has hair like fur. But my mother’s hair, my mother’s hair, like little rosettes, like little candy circles all curly and pretty because she pinned it in pincurls all day, sweet to put our nose into when she is holding you, holding you and you feel safe, is the warm smell of bread before you bake it, is the smell when she makes room for you on her side of the bed still warm with her skin, and you sleep near her, the rain outside falling and Papa snoring. The snoring, the rain, and Mama’s hair that smells like bread.

Your turn… Go back to your “What am I?” paragraph, and go beyond average adjectives. You could use phrases (similes/metaphors) to help make your descriptions easier to see and/or relate to. Rewrite your paragraph using livelier adjectives and phrases. You may tell the reader what the object is—if you like.

Conversations Calendar…Exit Ticket Which of the five senses do you find to be the most important? Which of the five senses would be the hardest to live without? Explain both of your responses. What did you like about today’s class? What would you change?