Level 1 • Lesson 19 — Adding describing words (adjectives)

Objective

I can add simple describing words (adjectives) to nouns in short sentences, using capitals, spaces, and periods.

Materials

Short, sharpened pencil
Eraser
Ruled paper (primary lines preferred)
Tracing Pad (below)
Small objects or pictures to describe (toy, snack, book)

Mini-lesson — Describing words (adjectives)

A describing word tells us more about a person, place, or thing. We often call these words adjectives.

Describing words can tell about:

color — red ball, blue bag
Size — small dog, big cake
How it feels — soft pillow, cold drink
How it tastes — sweet apple, salty snack

Where do we put describing words?

Usually before the noun: a red ball
Sometimes after is or are: The ball is red.

Good sentences with describing words:

I have a small dog.
We ate a sweet cake.
The soft pillow is on my bed.

Think: "What word can I add to show how it looks, feels, or tastes?"

Picture strip: "Describing a red ball"

Guided Practice — Describing word warm-up

Use this routine to practice describing words before you use them in your own sentences.

Choose something to describe: a toy, a snack, a book, or a shoe.
Look closely: What color is it? Is it big or small? Is it soft or hard?
Trace a describing word: On the Tracing Pad, choose a short word like red, big, soft, or sweet and trace it neatly.
Say a full sentence: Use your word to say a sentence such as I have a red ball. or We ate a sweet cake.
Try a different object: Pick something else and think of a new describing word that fits it.
Get ready for writing: On your paper later, you will add describing words to short sentences.

Describing words help your reader see, feel, and taste the picture in your mind.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Add describing words

Each sentence has a thing (a noun) and a blank space for a describing word. Choose the describing word that fits best.

On the device:
Read the sentence with the blank. Look at the three describing words. Drag the correct describing word into the empty box.

On paper:
Choose three finished sentences.
Write each sentence on your paper with the describing word in the right place.
Start each sentence with a capital letter and end it with a period.

Sentence 1: I have a _____ dog.

small spicy square

Sentence 2: We ate a _____ cake.

sweet angry sleepy

Sentence 3: I put my head on a _____ pillow.

soft loud sharp

Sentence 4: I drink a _____ drink in summer.

cold heavy round

Sentence 5: I feel _____ with my friend.

happy spiky sleepy

Quick Check — Describing words (adjectives)

Answer each question about describing words and clear sentences. This is a gentle 10-question check.

What is a describing word?

A word that means nothing A word that tells more about a person, place, or thing A word that is always shouted

Which word is a describing word in this sentence: "I see a red ball."

red ball see

Which word is best to describe a pillow?

loud spicy soft

Which sentence uses a describing word correctly?

I eat a pencil cake. We ate a sweet cake. The cake runs fast outside.

Which word best completes this sentence: "I drink a _____ drink in summer."

cold wooden sleepy

Which word is a describing word for how you feel?

book chair happy

Where can a describing word go in a sentence?

Only at the very end of the story Before the noun, like "red ball" Only in the title of the book

Why are describing words helpful in a story?

They help the reader see and feel the story better. They make the words very hard to read. They make the story as short as possible.

When you add a describing word, what should still stay the same?

The sentence has no spaces The sentence has no period The sentence begins with a capital and ends with a period

How can you check if your describing word fits the sentence?

Hide the word so you cannot see it Read the sentence aloud and listen Only read the describing word

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Can explain that a describing word (adjective) tells more about a person, place, or thing Chooses sensible describing words for simple nouns (for example, soft pillow, sweet cake) Writes short sentences with describing words in the correct place Uses capitals, spaces, and periods correctly in most sentences

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can add describing words to my sentences. 🙂 I need more practice with describing words. 😅 Describing words still feel tricky.

Next time I will…

Try adding a color word to my sentence Check that my describing word makes sense Read my sentence aloud to hear if it sounds right

Lesson 19: Adding describing words (adjectives)