Makayla Anderson

Fancy Nancy; Formal Words vs Informal Words

Language Standard 3 Objective c
Target Age Group
Fourth grade
Objective
Students will use their knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking,
reading, or listening to compare formal and informal uses of English. Through creating a word
bank, students will have the tools they need to use more formal and descriptive forms of English
in their writing. They will be able to go back through their writing, and change verbs to make
their stories more lively.
Background
Establish with the children that there are multiple ways of saying different things. Explain that
the way they would talk to their friend on the playground would be different from how they
would talk to the President of the United States. Have the students turn to a partner and greet one
another in different situations.
Discuss how you would use more formal words when talking to the President.
Explain to them that the words we use are important especially when we are writing. Read to
them the beginning excerpt from Fancy Nancys Favorite Fancy Words, Bonjour, everybody! I
think fancy words are almost like magic. You can take a plain word like feather and presto
change-o! turn it into something special a plume! Fancy words also sound beautiful and are
fun to say, especially ones in French! (Bonjour means hello.) So here is a compendium (thats
fancy for collection) of my absolutely favorite fancy words just for you. When you use on in a
sentence, its like adding sprinkles to vanilla ice cream! Love, Nancy
Define formal and informal! (fancy way of saying things)
Assignment
Read to the children a Fancy Nancy book.
Before reading, explain to the children how Fancy Nancy uses formal (explain that that is a fancy
word for fancy) language to make what she is saying more interesting. Ask them to listen for the
fancy words that she uses.
During reading emphasize the fancy words that are used by Fancy Nancy. Have the students
touch their nose every time they hear a fancy word. Make an ice cream cone with your class.
Have a piece of paper cut out in the shape of ice cream and tape it up on the whiteboard. Also cut
out a bunch of sprinkles to tape onto the ice cream. Each time the students identify a fancy word,
write it on the sprinkle and have the student come and place it on the ice cream
After reading have the children discuss the words written on the ice cream.

Makayla Anderson
You can take these words and later post it up on the wall. They will then have these words to use
whenever they are writing.
Discuss why Fancy Nancy would use these types of words, and when it is important to use
formal words.
Once the students have a sufficient word bank, have them go back to their play and change their
verbs and nouns to be more fancy.
Materials
Any book of Fancy Nancy by Jane OConnor
Markers (to write on the sprinkles)
Tape
Pencils
Paper
Prepare before class:

Large piece of white construction paper cut out in the shape of ice cream.
Different shapes of paper to represent sprinkles cut out of colored paper.
Create a word list of your own to have as a reference guide.

Example
At the end of the play, there was a lot of applause
I persuaded my brother to give me a piece of his candy.
My teacher says that I am brilliant.
Assessment
The students will be assessed on how well they grasp this concept of point of view and how well
they apply it into their play. The scale will go as follows
Exceptional: Changed 5 or more of their words to be more descriptive and enhanced their
writing. They have a clear understanding of how to enhance their writing with fancy nouns and
verbs
Exceeded Expectation: Changed more than three words and showed a clear understanding of
how their words effect their writing.
Met Requirements: Went through their writing and changed three verbs to spice up their writing.
They have an understanding of how to use more effective verbs.
Needs Improvement: Changed at least one of their verbs to enhance their writing in their play.
They arent confident in replacing dull nouns and verbs with fancy ones.
Did not Comprehend: No change was made to the words used in their play. Simple verbs are
used that do not enhance their writing.