Onomantopoeia, Oreos, and Outstanding Writing

Hey y'all! I'm excited to share one of my favorite writing activities of the year because it involves two of my favorite things: onomatopoeia and Oreos! Yum!!

I've seen different versions of this activity everywhere.  Clearly, oreos are a hot writing topic and great for introducing persuasive text or how to. However, this is a one day writing assignment used to teach descriptive writing and onomatopoeia. Who knew Oreo cookies were so versitale?

Objective: Students will use onomatopoeia and spicy words to write an engaging descriptive paragraph about how they eat an Oreo.

Materials:

• bag of Oreo cookies
• student examples to act as mentor text
• anchor chart

Lesson:
Review onomatopoeia and generate a list of examples. Then, tell students you have a very serious and important question for them: How do you eat your Oreo?

And just like that...the ALL want to share.

Introduce the task. "Today you are going to describe how you eat an Oreo cookie with as much description as possible" 

Read lots of examples written by other 4th graders. Click here for the original lesson and examples!

You'll notice that each example follows the same pattern, but don't worry about point that out. They catch on fast!  After reading 3-4 examples, stop and ask students the kids, "What do you notice?"

Hopefully They will point out:

• They all start out with onomatopoeia.
• They all describe an Oreo using lost of good adjectives.
• They all write out the steps to eating an Oreo using transition words. (first, then, finally)
• They all wrap up with the author talking directly to the reader. 

After discussing the organization, read a few more examples before sending them off to write... Oreo in hand to eat of course!  Nothing sparks writing like licking frosting and eating cookies.

Students typically write for 20-30 minutes.  These are not long pieces, but they are a lot of fun and an easy piece to take all the way through the writing process.  After editing and revising, I have students publish.

Last year we published on the computer and then posted to their blogs, but you could also publish with good ol' paper!

Here is a simple writing frame I made that could also be used to publish your writing.  Thanks to Michelle at 3AM Teacher for the frame.  It was perfect for our Oreo theme. Download for free at my TPT or TN store.

And... If you want to get really fancy and fun, check out this fantastic bulletin board display I found on Pinterest. How cute is that?!

From Fun 2B In First

I'd love to hear back if you do the lesson, have done something similar, etc.  I love hearing your stories. Happy Writing!!









P.S. Don't forget to check out Fiction Friday from last week.  I reviewed two excellent books and other bloggers linked up with their own fabulous reads.  This is a great way to build your children's literature repertoire.

P.P.S. Also, how is the new font?  I was going for REALLY easy to read as I have noticed my eyes get tired way to quickly when I'm blog reading and deciphering all those super cute fonts.  So, just in case my readers are suffering from the same "I must be getting old" problem - I made the switch.  Thoughts? 

Fiction Friday: Chapter 1

Yahoo!! I'm super excited to announce that Fiction Friday is back! I know I host this linky, but it really is one of my favorites.  I just love any excuse to talk about books. :)

Here is the history...

Fiction Friday began last summer when I set out to read all most of the books selected for our district's Battle of the Books. I wanted to go into the year, ready to excite my students about reading! And, the more books I read, the better I am able to help my kids find books that help them fall in love with reading.

 But, who can possibly read all the great books out there?  Not me.  So, Fiction Friday was born. I can't wait to see what y'all have been reading this summer.

This week I read...

Waiting for the Magic 

by Patricia MacLachlan

The book begins, "It was early on a Saturday summer morning when my mother and father stopped arguing and Papa walked away." Emotional from the first line, Waiting for the Magic goes on to tell the story of William and his family after his father leaves and his mother immediately adopts not one, not two, but four dogs and a cat from the pound.William's life is turned upside down, but he puts on a strong "brave" face to protect his family. What William doesn't realize is that bravery comes in many forms and his new furry friends are there to help. If he is brave enough and listens carefully, he may just start to believe in a little magic that will put his family back together.

The simple, yet powerful language used in this story, conveys the heart break of a struggling family that is easy to relate too. I read this book in one sitting.  I love Patricia MacLachlan's poetic writing style. It's elegant and speaks right to the heart. This would make a great read aloud K-2 and is a good beginning chapter book for grades 2-3. I loved the messages of family, forgiveness, love, courage and of course magic, which is woven through the story so flawlessly. An overall very enjoyable read.

Fast Facts:

• Read Aloud K-2
• Beginning Chapter Book 2-3 (RL 3.0)
• Texas Bluebonnet Book
• 143 pages

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to finish my second book because I was unexpectedly invited to the NBA Finals Game last night (Go Spurs Go!) and I couldn't turn that down.  So, I will share three new books next week and share one old favorite with you today.

How to Steal A Dog

by Barbara O'Conner

In How to Steal A Dog, Georgina Hayes is desperate and looking for a way out.  After her father leaves her family with nothing but a jar of quarters, Georgina, her mother, and her brother are forced to live in their car, trying to pretend life is normal.  Georgina spots a missing dog sign that advertises a $500 reward and thinks she has found the answer.  So, she develops a plan.  A plan to steal a dog and earn some reward money. "Half of me was thinking, Georgina, don’t do this. Stealing a dog is just plain wrong. The other half of me was thinking, Georgina, you’re in a bad fix and you got to do whatever it takes to get yourself out of it."  

Barbara O'Conner is a natural storyteller.  The book reads quickly with each character taking on a unique and memorable voice.  Although the book does tackle some tough subjects, it is handled through humor, love, and an emphasis on doing the right thing.  I read this aloud to my students this year, and they LOVED it. They really connected with Georgina's situation and her desire to help her family even though she knew it wasn't necessarily the right thing.  This book opens the door for great discussions and it was fun to watch my students thinking change along with Georgina as she struggled with stealing the dog.  The book is filled with great quotes that my students came back to long after we finished.  Definitely the sign of a great book!

Fast Facts:

• Read Aloud 2-5
• Chapter Book 3-5 (RL 4.4)
• 192 pages
• Texas Bluebonnet 2008
• School Library Journal Best Books 2007

Okay book lovers, now it is your turn! Tell me about more great books you have read recently or old favorites you just LOVE.  Chapter books and picture books welcome! 

Ready, set, link up!!