This lesson is a big hit if you show the students any one, or all, of the Green Grass Art Accents. It’s a fictional news article that involves grass. Additionally, it focuses on words that begin with the letters GR.
Common Core State Standards
NOTE: This lesson can address the following Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.3, W.1.3, W.2.3, W.3.3, W.3.3.B, W.3.3.C, W.3.3.D, W.4.3, W4.3.A, W.4.3.B, W.4.3.C, W.4.3.D, W.4.3.E, W.5.3, W.5.3.A, W.5.3.B, W.5.3.C, W.5.3.D and W.5.3.E.
Now the Lesson!
To get a full understanding on how I conduct each writing lesson you may want to read the Writing Prompts Introduction post. The lesson outlined below (and all other prompts posted) will make more sense and be easier to follow and use. Here’s the lined paper I use for Grades K-2 and Grades 2-7
Tell the Story Line
Begin the lesson by telling the story line: “You’re going to write a news article about unusual grass. The thing that makes the grass unusual has to begin with GR. For example, it can be greedy, grumpy, graceful, growling, growing etc. Anything can happen in your story.”
Brainstorm
Brainstorm characteristics of the grass that can be reported in the news article. These characteristics should begin with the letters GR.
Graceful, great, gray, greedy, greasy, grizzly, gross, groggy, growing, growling, grumpy, etc.
Next, brainstorm different story lines to get the kids thinking:
Graceful grass puts on a ballet show
Grizzly grass takes over a forest
Grumpy grass starts talking and complaining
Etc.
Show the 5 Sections:
- Introduction (time/location/people/problem)
- Different People’s Reaction
- One Person’s Action
- Another Person’s Action
- Solution/Conclusion
Remember: K-1st Graders are encouraged to write 1 sentence for each section, 2nd Graders 2 sentences, 3rd Graders 3 sentences and so on.
Now to write!
Guide the students through the following steps. They are free to use their own words. Remind them that ANYTHING can happen in their story as long as they follow the steps to keep their story organized.
I’ve written a story sample in italics about gray (and growling) grass.
- Begin the article with an eye catching exclamation:
News Flash! Breaking News! Grey Grass Growing Out of Control!
2. Next, write when and where the outbreak occurred.
Last night, in Louisville, Kentucky…
3. Third, write what happened and to whom.
…a family was in their backyard. Thick gray grass started growing really fast. It grew about 6 feet tall.
4. Fourth, use words to show how people reacted.
The family went into their house. They called 911. They watched the grass spread from their windows.
5. Fifth, write about what one person, or a group of people did.
A helicopter flew over and started spraying a natural weed killer. It grew even thicker and started growling. It was moving back and forth.
6. Sixth, write about what another person, or group of people did. .
Next, bulldozers came to remove the dirt and roots. The growling grass fought the bulldozers. The family kept watching.
7. Lastly, write a solution and conclusion.
Then, the little boy threw marshmallows outside his window. The grass ate it and settled down. He three more marshmallows until it was all calm. Scientists are now looking into the situation to find out what caused this outbreak.
Print the Lesson
EASY ART ACCENTS
As soon as students complete their story, they can complete any one of these easy green (or gray) grass art accents.
