Lesson Title: Introduction to Adjectives
Lesson Author: Channing Lodari
Grade Level: 4th, 5th, and 6th
Subject: English as a Second Language
Classroom Layout: Students will be seated in a semi-circle facing the board and the teacher. This will be a whole-group lesson.
Allotted Time for Lesson: ~40 minutes
Short Lesson Description: The students will be introduced to the terminology “adjectives” in this lesson. They will play “I spy” to introduce them to what adjectives are. Then they will identify adjectives and the nouns they describe on a worksheet. Students will come up with adjectives to describe each other’s clothing. Then they will complete a worksheet on adjectives.
Standards Met in this Lesson:
L.1 Comprehend spoken instructions.
L.1.1 Follow one-step directions.
L.1.2 Follow two-step directions.
L.1.3 Follow multiple-step directions.
R.3 Comprehend written instructions.
R.3.1 Follow one-step directions.
R.3.2 Follow two-step directions.
R.3.3 Follow multiple-step directions.
R.3.4 Use knowledge of sentence structure.
S.1 Establish a verbal connection with an interlocutor in order to talk about something.
S.2 Provide basic information on a relevant topic in a conversation.
S.3 Provide detailed information on a relevant topic in a conversation.
W.2.3 Construct correct sentences, including a variety of sentence types and styles.
Grade Level Expectations
GLE 0501.1.1 Demonstrate knowledge of Standard English usage, mechanics, and spelling.
GLE 0501.2.1 Continue to develop critical listening skills necessary for comprehension and task completion.
GLE 0501.2.2 Continue to develop strategies for expressing thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively.
Checks for Understanding (Formative/Summative Assessment)
From 0501.1.1 Know and use appropriately the meaning, forms, and functions of adjectives.
From 0501.1.4 Capitalize sentence beginnings, proper nouns and adjectives.
0501.1.5 Use correct end of sentence punctuation.
0501.1.12 Use appropriate language structure in oral and written communication (e.g.,
subject-verb agreement in simple and compound sentences, correct syntax, correct placement of modifiers).
State Performance Indicators
SPI 0501.1.3 Identify the correct use of adjectives (i.e., common/proper, comparative forms, predicate adjectives) and adverbs (i.e., comparative forms, negatives) within context.
Materials/Resources Needed for Lesson:
1) Adjectives handout
2) Alien Adjectives practice
3) Adjectives worksheet from SuperTeachers.com
Lesson Set: Today we are going to play a game. The game is called “I spy.” Do you know what the word “spy” means? It means “to notice” or to “observe” something. I am going to pick something in the classroom—an object—and I will give you clues about it. You will listen to my clues and try to guess what the object is.
Procedures:
1) Play the “I spy” game using only adjectives to describe items (try not to use verbs). Let students who guess your object correctly pick an object to describe to their classmates. Point out that the objects we describe are nouns. (10 minutes)
2) The words we use to describe nouns (like we did in our game) are called adjectives. Pass out the adjectives handout. Go over each example on the handout. Have students tell you which word each adjective modifies. (~7 minutes)
3) Pass out the alien adjectives handout. Go over each example with the students. (~7 minutes)
4) Let students take turns describing each other’s outfits for the day. Tell students to use complete sentences. Write their examples on the board. Circle the adjectives and underline the nouns the adjectives describe. (5 minutes)
5) Pass out the adjectives worksheet. Give students time to complete. Circulate the room to check students’ work. (15 minutes)
Modifications: If students seem to struggle with adjectives, spend more time on using descriptive words to describe clothes students are wearing. Play the “I spy” game if there is time remaining at the end of the lesson.
Assessment: The students will individually be called on to come up with adjectives to describe clothing. The worksheets will be collected as a more formal assessment of student mastery/understanding.