Build a Sensory Poem

Here's a fun way to help your kiddos use more descriptive words in their writing (and teach them about adjectives at the same time):

Sensory Poems

Bonus-it's really easy!

Just download these worksheets and grab an object that's safe to explore with the senses (i.e. can be put in the mouth).

Since my new book is all about pecans (and I have a fantastic science experiment in my teacher's guide that would tie into this ELA activity perfectly), I chose a pecan.

Procedure:

1) Print one set of worksheets per child.
​2) Place the object before the child, but instruct them not to touch until prompted.
3) Describe what we're about to do (write a poem about ________ by focusing on our senses) and review the five senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, touch).

4) ​Beginning with sight, help them think of different ways to describe the object based only on what they see. (That might include things like color, shape, and size.) Use the "word bank" to record each descriptive word/phrase in the "sight" column.
5) Repeat this step for each column/sense on the "word bank," helping only when necessary. (Leave taste for last.) Encourage the children to add at least three words in each column.

Time to write!

6) Have your child circle their favorite word from each column of their word bank.
7) Using the "build-a-poem" worksheet, direct them to add the word to the correct blank(s) on their poem. (You may need to help them change the suffix of their words so that they work in the sentence.)

8) Read the finished poem aloud and celebrate!

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