This document provides instructions for students to go on a writing webquest to improve their writing skills. It outlines 3 missions for students: 1) Learn how adjectives can add detail by visiting websites about adjectives, 2) Write down descriptive words from stories to "paint a picture", and 3) Describe a family member or pet using descriptive details. Quizzes are included to check understanding of parts of speech like subjects and predicates. The goal is to help students become remarkable writers by learning vocabulary and how to use vivid descriptions.

1. Remarkable WritingBy Mrs. GarroLos Medanos Elementary

2. Do you want to be a remarkable writer?(narration) Just remember it doesn’t happen overnight. You don’t wake up a fantastic writer. It takes work and a little research, but the following journey your teacher has prepared for you will help. Are you ready?Get ready to take off on a writing webquest!

3. Let’s start simple and look at what makes up a sentence.A sentence has aSUBJECT, that is theWho of the sentence. The alien.

4. Don’t you think something is missing?That’s because every sentence also has a predicate, the action!What did the alien do?Thealienmet a human.

5. So now we know what makes a simple sentence. Can we make it better? Yes we can!Here’s where your search begins!First, you are going to visit at least 3 following websites to boost your vocabulary and both listen to and read some remarkable writing!http://www.storylineonline.net/rotten/fullscreen_xl.htmlHomophone matching game http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/spelling/recognising/homophones/game.shtmlHomograph Jeopardy (one or two player)http://www.quia.com/cb/96929.htmlHomograph factsheethttp://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/spelling/recognising/homophones/factsheet1.shtmlGo to the next slide if you are brave enough to accept your first mission.

6. Mission #1Learn how adjectives can add detail to a simple sentence.http://www.lexington1.net/technology/instruct/ppts/LAppts/k2/funwithadj.pptNeed a little more help? Check out this video from School House Rock!

7. Let’s see what we found outAdjectives help add detailMean and greenRemember our alien? Pretend there was no illustration, what might he look like?Friendly and caringThe friendlyalien met a caring human. =a much better sentence!

8. Mission #2Write down all the words you hear or read that “paint a picture in your mind”. They can be words that help you see, hear, touch, feel, or taste what the writer is trying to describe.http://www.storylineonline.net/rainbowfish/fullscreen_xl.html

9. Okay, it’s quiz time!What is the subject of the following sentence?The humans thought the spaceship was an airplane. THOUGHT HUMANS

10. Think you can handle more?What is the predicateof the following sentence?The Earth spins on its axis. spins on its axis. The Earth

11. Last chance to show what you know!How many adjectives can you find in this super sentence?The slimy aliens crashed into a dark cave near the small town. 2 3 4SLIMY DARK SMALLCLICK!

12. Let’s review how to Paint a Picture in the reader’s mind.Remember My Rotten Red Headed Older Brother?Patricia Polacco didn’t just say, “The girl had a brother”.She said, “He had orange hair that was like wire; he was covered in freckles, and looked like a weasel with glasses.”

13. Are you ready for the next mission?Mission #3If you think you need to listen to the story again first, click below and pay attention to the adjectives!http://www.storylineonline.net/rotten/fullscreen_xl.htmlNow go to the following Scholastic site and type in My Rotten Red Headed Older Brother for Title and Richie for Character, follow the steps, and print out.http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/scrapbook/

14. Your Final Mission!Choose someone in your family to describe. Yes, it can even be your dog or cat.Things to remember:First, draw a picture of this person/animalUse a circle map to write down everything you can think of about that person or animal using your drawing

15. How tall or small?Hair color?What do they do with you?Name of Family MemberWhat do they look like?What do they like to wear?What do they like to do?What do they sound like?