Dear Friends: As of Fall 2004 the Greater Phoenix Area Writing Project has been discontinued. This website will be maintained for a time on a limited basis for informational purposes and so that you are able to access the resources provided. All the best to you in your teaching. Wednesday, June 18, 2003 GPAWP 2003 Summer Institute Web Diary "A Puzzle is Worth a Thousand 'Power' Words"

Bridget Larkin Montebello School Phoenix, AZ Presentation Title: "A Puzzle is Worth a Thousand 'Power' Words" Grade Level(s): 3-12 Book(s) used: NA Other Resources: Any children's puzzle with large pieces (not currently available online) Presentation Description: Purpose of the Lesson: Students will expand word choice using pieces of a puzzle or picture and a thesaurus. Class Activities: Children work in pairs or small groups brainstorming words for their puzzle or picture piece. Give each group a thesaurus after they have exhausted their list so they may look up "power words" (synonyms) to enhance vocabulary. Children then write/edit a story based on the entire or just their piece of the puzzle/picture using the "power words" from their small individual piece or a class list generated by all students. This lesson may be preceded by journaling and whole group brainstorming in addition to oral memories based on the puzzle/picture. The teacher may choose to show the puzzle/picture ahead of time, especially if the children are LLP or in the lower grades. Stories may be revised editions of an individual journal entry based on the puzzle/picture. Younger children may benefit from writing a class story which they then in turn edit/revise after "power words" are discovered. Note: If you don't see a Navigation Bar on this page, please click here, then click on GPAWP Summer Diary to get back to this page. Back to Web Diary Updated: March 30, 2005