Fred J. Acquavita
The overall atmosphere of the room is very important. Books, magazines, journals, periodicals,and newspapers should be displayed in a neat and attractive manner. It would be very inviting to the students. On the walls and other convenient places, teaching aids should be displayed. Saturate the room with reading materials writing ideas, story starters, writing forms and poetry forms. The point is to make the classroom a learning tool. The following should be placed in the room as the year progresses:.
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1.
Word charts
for developing more precise vocabulary in describing objects. Students add to list as the year progresses.
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Color
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Pattern
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pale
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irregular
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vivid
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flowered
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apple
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parallel
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Size
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Shape
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tiny
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spherical
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elephantine
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conical
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microscopic
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round
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Condition
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Sound
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weathered
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cushioned
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shining
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soft
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dull
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harsh
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Texture
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Taste
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silky
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sour
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rough
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bitter
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furrowed
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buttery
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Odor
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Motion
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musty
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swirling
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rancid
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rhythmic
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fresh
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2.
Word List to Help Describe Setting
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Climate
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Feelings
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tropical
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scarey
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damp
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feeling of fear
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humid
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an evil place
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warm
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danger
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moist
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spooky
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oppressive
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eerier
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Colors and Sights
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darkish green
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shadowy
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brown slimy mud
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canopy of trees
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3. The rules of writing Cinquain, Haiku,and limerick should be displayed in the classroom.
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4.
Story Starters
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a. If I had $1,000 to spend
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b. What Mother forgot
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c. Walking home in the rain
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d. An ideal place to be
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5.
Make List of Words to Use
, i. e., words to use instead of “said”:.
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sobbed
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declared
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suggested
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argued
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cried
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questioned
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6. A chart describing personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration.
It is important to understand that the only time a teaching aid is displayed is after it has been introduced during a writing workshop.