Lesson 20: Describe magical worlds or creatures

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟡 C. Creative Writing

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Objective

I can write vivid descriptions of a magical world or creature using sensory details (see, hear, smell, taste, touch) and clear rules/limits that make the fantasy feel real.

Materials

Tip: Show, don’t tell. Replace general words (nice, cool) with precise ones (peppermint wind, glassy river, mossy steps).

Mini-lesson — Make fantasy feel real

  1. Sensory details: What do people see, hear, smell, taste, touch there?
  2. Specific nouns & strong verbs: Use antlered stag-dragon vs animal; glimmered vs was shiny.
  3. Rules & limits: When does magic work? What does it cost?
  4. Consistency: Keep the rules steady so readers trust the world.
  5. Compare & contrast: One detail compared to something known helps (e.g., as cold as marble).

Guided Practice — Sensory sketch + rules

Trace these key words, then list 2 sensory details and 1 magic rule for your idea:

  • Key words: glimmer, mossy, ember, scale, rule
  • Example (world): The air smells like mint and rain. Bridges hum softly at night. Magic works only at moonrise.
  • Example (creature): Its scales feel like cool coins. It speaks in wind-chime notes. It forgets its power after sunrise.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: Pair each sense with a specific noun/verb (e.g., peppermint breeze, lanterns purr).

Drag & Drop — Build vivid, rule-based sentences

Drag the chips to make clear sentences that show sensory detail and a rule or limit. Keep punctuation at the end.

Lanternspurredsoftlyasmintyfogcurledoverthebridge.
Scalesfeltlikecoolcoinsandchimedwhenthedragonbreathedout.
Magiconlyworksatmoonriseandcostsonetruthfulmemory.
Riverstonestastedlikepepperandsparkedwhentossedtogether.
Thegatehummedinalownotenobodycouldhearaftersunrise.
Becausetheforestkeepsitsownclockpathsslidetonewplacesatdusk.
Thecreaturefearedbellsandhidwheneverthechurchrangnoon.
Itsbreathsmelledlikewarmvanillaandleftglitteronthewindow.
Travelersworeemberpinsbecausetunnelsopenedonlyforgentlelight.
Footprintstastedlikecopperandshowedthelastmoodofthewalker.
Thecityskysmelledlikeorangeswhendoorstothemarketofstormsopened.
Finallytheruleskeptdangersmallandthetravelerscouldrest.

Quick Check (15 questions)

1) “Show, don’t tell” means…

2) A good rule for magic is…

3) Which is most vivid?

4) Pick the sound detail.

5) A world feels fair when…

6) Strong verb:

7) Best smell detail:

8) Which adds a clear limit?

9) Strong noun choice:

10) Which shows texture?

11) Good comparison:

12) Consistent rules help readers…

13) Choose the best revision.

14) Which sentence follows the rule?

15) Best “show, don’t tell” for fear:

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

I will practice…

Lesson 21 →