Language and Grammar: Describe Animals and Things

Group Game Write names of common objects or familiar animals on index cards. Take turns choosing a card and adding an adjective or two to describe the noun. Then, the group members decide if the adjective accurately describes the noun.

whale

enormous whale

enormous, blue whale

Writing and Grammar: Write About an Animal

Study the Models Descriptive details add a lot of interest to your writing. Words that tell how things look, sound, smell, taste, and feel help readers see and experience what you are writing about.

Just Ok

Manatees are endangered. These large mammals are related to the elephant. Manatees live in the waters around Florida. Algae often grow on their skin. Manatees use their flippers to steer and their tails to push themselves through water. These animals are playful.

This writer gives few descriptive details.

Better

Manatees are endangered. These large, gentle mammals are related to the elephant. They live in the warm, coastal waters around Florida. Algae often grow on their thick, wrinkled skin. Manatees use their front flippers to steer and their powerful, flat tails to push themselves through shallow water. These slow-moving animals are playful.

This writer adds colorful details. These words help readers picture a manatee more clearly.

Revise It Look back at the JUST OK model above. Work with a partner to improve it. Add different colorful details to help readers see, hear, feel, and smell the things that are described.

Illustration of the pen icon WRITE ON YOUR OWN Write a descriptive paragraph about an animal you know well. Use colorful adjectives to help the reader imagine the animal’s appearance and behavior.

The playful manatee is an endangered species.

The playful manatee is an endangered species.