Craft Lesson 1

Using Onomatopoeia

Resource Material:

Wong, Janet. Buzz. Orlando: Harcourt, 2000.

Discussion:

The world is full of sounds. They are all around us in everything we do, but students often fail to pay attention to such detail. In Buzz, Janet Wong uses the sound "buzz" as the driving force in a small boy's morning routine. Using onomatopoeia vividly describes the hustle and bustle of the family. In this craft lesson, beginning writers will explore the use of sound in their own story writing.

How to Teach It:

Sound words are called onomatopoeia. Read Buzz by Janet Wong and look for all the things "buzz" can describe. Then brainstorm other examples of onomatopoeia, keeping track of students' ideas on a chart tablet. In groups of 2 or 3, have students construct their own story using from the examples generated by the class. Allow each group to present their story to the rest of the class.

Second Grade Standards Taught:

1)Identifying elements of literary language, 2)specifically onomatopoeia, 3)listening responsively to a story, 4)participating in a large group discussion, 5)working cooperatively in a small group, 6)using a published piece as a model for writing.