#1599. Find a noun, pick it up!

Reading/Writing, level: Elementary
Posted Fri Feb 25 17:21:23 PST 2000 by Karen Freeman (kfreeman@falsepass.aesd.schoolzone.net).
False Pass School, False Pass, Alaska
Materials Required: children, a nice day, a safe outside area to spread out.
Activity Time: 30 minutes
Concepts Taught: Learning parts of speech

Explain the definitions of noun, verb, and adjective to the class. Brainstorm a chart-full of each. Tell the kids they will go outside to find some nouns. The nouns must be light enough to carry, and safe enough to bring into the classroom. They must also look for nouns which have lots of adjectives attached, and they must have to verb in order to bring it back. In other words, they may choose a red and white small, smooth rock which they have to bend down to get, or dig up. Remind them of safety rules before going out, and you will end up with a beautiful collection of plants, rocks, leaves, twigs, and paper seen blowing about.

Once everyone has their own noun or two, bring them back inside, and let everyone tell about their noun, sharing their unique adjectives and the verb they did in order to get the noun. When a child has had a chance to share, ask the class if they can think of other adjectives for the item. For instance, if a child shares her "red and white small, smooth rock," the class may also point out that it is oval. Hand each child a piece of sturdy paper or tagboard, and have them glue (where possible), their item onto it. They must then label it with noun (rock), adjectives (smooth, red, white, oval, small), and write a short paragraph at the bottom of the paper explaining the verb they had to do, and why they chose this particular noun! It is a lot of work for the students when they are in 1st or 2nd grade, but they love it, and don't easily forget their lesson!