Teacher Power

Point Slides
The Master Teacher Series:
Descriptive Writing
(Teacher PowerPoint Slides)

3rd Grade
Copyright 2009
John Schacter, Ph.D.
Published by The Teaching Doctors

All rights reserved. These PowerPoint Slides may not be copied,
emailed, or distributed. Federal law provides severe civil and criminal
penalties for unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted
materials.
Teacher Information
The text at the top of each slide in
BLUE is suggested TEACHER
TALKING POINTS. Feel free to adapt
and modify to meet your students
needs.
Some slides are ANIMATED (i.e.,
when you click to move a slide forward
more information is added to the
current slide). It is helpful to have a
remote slide advancer.
Lesson 4: The Storm
Students will:
write Where Topic Sentences.
create a descriptive attribute chart to describe
a picture of a storm.

Materials:
Whiteboards and dry erase markers
Post It Notes
Student Workbook
Uses precise language (tulip instead of flower; mansion instead of home)
Includes strong verbs (She raced to the park.
He gulped down his lunch.)
Uses transitions (Before, During, After . . . In front of, Behind, Beside)
and sentence variation (combines choppy sentences, revises repetitive
sentence starts)
Makes comparisons (fast as lightning . . . hair like silk . . . hotter than
burning coal)
Uses words that engage and surprise the reader (enormous shrimp;
muscles bigger than a mountain)
Generates attribute charts to develop and sort ideas and details for
descriptive writing.
Organizes descriptions either by time, visual field (left to right; top to
bottom; small to large; large to small), or procedure.
Writes topic sentences that orient and engage the reader.
Writes concluding sentences that use a concluding word or phrase,
give advice, or summarize the description.
Includes descriptive words and details (see, hear, movement, taste,
composition, age, size, location, etc.)
COMPOSING SKILLS
ORGANIZING SKILLS
Take our your Descriptive Writing Skill Sheet and put an X next to
Generates attribute charts . . . and Writes topic sentences that orient
and engage the reader.
One way to engage and orient the reader is to tell the reader WHERE
what youre describing took place. There are lots of ways to write
WHERE topic sentences. Let me give you some examples.
WRITING WHERE TOPIC SENTENCES
On the playground
Across the street
Inside our classroom
WHERE WHAT HAPPENED
children played handball.
we practiced writing.
dogs howled.
In the school gym . . . .
Across the train tracks . . .
Inside our classroom . . .
At the my friends pool . . .
Next to the creek . . .
On the soccer field . . .
Outside my bedroom window . . .
WRITING WHERE TOPIC SENTENCES
On our writing bulletin board, I have placed several examples of how to
write WHERE Topic Sentences.
Watch me write some WHERE Topic Sentences for
the picture on the next slide.
WHERE WHAT HAPPENED
On the big island of Hawaii the volcano erupted.
Next to grandpas sugar cane field I heard the volcano rumble.
In the school gym . . . .
Across the train tracks . . .
Inside our classroom . . .
At the my friends pool . . .
Next to the creek . . .
On the soccer field . . .
Outside my bedroom window . . .
WHERE TOPIC SENTENCES
Where
What Happened
On your whiteboards copy this organizer. Im going to show you
several pictures. With your black marker, describe where the action in
the picture is taking place. With your red marker write what happened.
Where What Happened
The City
In the school gym . . . .
Across the train tracks . . .
Inside our classroom . . .
At the my friends pool . . .
Next to the creek . . .
On the soccer field . . .
Outside my bedroom window . . .
WHERE TOPIC SENTENCES
Share your topic sentence
with your neighbor.
Where What Happened
The Amusement Park
Share your topic sentence with your neighbor.
In the school gym . . . .
Across the train tracks . . .
Inside our classroom . . .
At the my friends pool . . .
Next to the creek . . .
On the soccer field . . .
Outside my bedroom window
WHERE TOPIC SENTENCES
Where What Happened
The Storm
In the school gym . . . .
Across the train tracks . . .
Inside our classroom . . .
At the my friends pool . . .
Next to the creek . . .
On the soccer field . . .
Outside my bedroom window
WHERE TOPIC SENTENCES
Share your topic sentence with your neighbor.
Remember, we have two writing goals today.
1. Write Where Topic Sentences.
2. Generate descriptive attributes.
Today you are going to create an Attribute Chart to
describe this picture, The Storm.




The Storm Attribute Chart
Hear See Location Movement Temperature
Open your workbook to The Storm Attribute Chart. Im passing out very
very small Post It Notes to each table. Please share them.




















cold
wet
40 degrees
icy winds
black rain
clouds
Hear See Location Movement Temperature
As I look at the picture, Ill write some ideas for the attribute, TEMPERATURE.
Watch and listen as I think and record ideas on my Post It, and stick the ideas
under the TEMPERATURE column on my Attribute Chart.

Directions
1. At your table study the picture, The Storm.
2. On your own, write down one descriptive
words on a small Post It for each attribute.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION!
3. Pass your Attribute Chart to the person on
your left.
4. That person will study your Attribute Chart
and add one more descriptive word for
each attribute.
5. Return the Attribute Charts.
Heres the picture. Begin writing your details in your
attribute chart.
The Storm Attribute Chart
Hear See Location Movement Temperature
Lets have some students share the descriptive words and ideas they
generated. Ill write them on the class Storm Attribute Chart.
Lesson 5: The Storm
Students will:
use their Storm Attribute Chart to compose
a paragraph frame that contains a topic
sentence, and sentences describing the TOP,
MIDDLE & BOTTOM of the picture, The
Storm.

Materials:
Highlighters
Scissors
Student Workbook
Where What Happened
Topic
Sentence
Top
Attributes
Middle
Attributes
Bottom
Attributes
Concluding
Sentence
The Storm Paragraph Frame
Share with your partner why you think we are using a paragraph frame.
Uses precise language (tulip instead of flower; mansion instead of home)
Includes strong verbs (She raced to the park.
He gulped down his lunch.)
Uses transitions (Before, During, After . . . In front of, Behind, Beside)
and sentence variation (combines choppy sentences, revises repetitive
sentence starts)
Makes comparisons (fast as lightning . . . hair like silk . . . hotter than
burning coal)
Uses words that engage and surprise the reader (enormous shrimp;
muscles bigger than a mountain)
Generates attribute charts to develop and sort ideas and details for
descriptive writing.
Organizes descriptions either by time, visual field (left to right; top to
bottom; small to large; large to small), procedure, or details.
Writes topic sentences that orient and engage the reader.
Writes concluding sentences that use a concluding word or phrase,
give advice, or summarize the description.
Includes descriptive words and details (see, hear, movement, taste,
composition, age, size, location, etc.)
COMPOSING SKILLS
ORGANIZING SKILLS
Take our your Descriptive Writing Skill Sheet. Put an X next to Organizes
descriptions either by time, visual field, procedure or details. Paragraph
frames help us organize our writing so our writing makes sense.
Making Chocolate Chip Cookies
Place the baking pans in the oven and bake.
Cook for 20 minutes and take cookies out of oven.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix butter and eggs with the dry ingredients.
Scoop one tablespoon of cookie dough onto a baking
sheet one inch apart.
In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients of flour,
baking soda, and salt.
If your descriptions arent organized, readers get confused. These directions for
baking cookies are out of order. With a partner, cut out the directions, then
organize the sentences into an order that will result in good tasting cookies.
Where What Happened
Topic
Sentence
Top
Attributes
Middle
Attributes
Bottom
Attributes
Concluding
Sentence
The Storm Descriptive Paragraph Frame
Like a recipe, your descriptions need to be organized to help the reader
understand. Paragraph frames help us organize our writing.
Where What Happened
Topic
Sentence
Top
Attributes
Middle
Attributes
Bottom
Attributes
Watch me use this frame to write. Ill start with my Topic Sentence. Look at the
picture. Choose a Where Topic Sentence starter. Write a Topic Sentence.
Outside there was a storm.
In the school gym . . . .
Across the train tracks . . .
Inside our classroom . . .
At the my friends pool . . .
Next to the creek . . .
On the soccer field . . .
Outside my bedroom window
WHERE TOPIC SENTENCES
In the school gym . . . .
Across the train tracks . . .
Inside our classroom . . .
At the my friends pool . . .
Next to the creek . . .
On the soccer field . . .
Outside my bedroom window
WHERE TOPIC SENTENCES
Your turn. Look at the picture, use the Where Topic Sentence Poster, and write
your WHERE Topic Sentence in your Storm paragraph frame.
Where What Happened
Topic
Sentence
Top
Attributes
Middle
Attributes
Bottom
Attributes
cold
wet
40 degrees
icy winds
Hear See Location Movement Temperature
Where
What Happened
Topic
Sentence
Top
Attributes
Outside there was a storm.
Thunder
Rain on roof
Wind
howling
Horses
neighing
Lightning
Farm House
Barn
Trees
Rain
Dark Clouds
Country
Farm
Field
Midwest
rain falling
wind whirling
lightning
streaking
trees
swaying
- Thunder
- Dark Clouds
- Lighting
Lightning came from the dark clouds. The sound
of thunder was loud.
Now watch as I show you how to use
the ideas in your attribute chart. First,
Ill look at the TOP of the picture.
Second, Ill highlight the words that
relate to the TOP of the picture. Third,
Ill write the descriptive words I
highlighted in the TOP ATTRIBUTES
box. Last, Ill write a sentence or two
that includes these words.
Directions
THINK-PAIR-WRITE-SHARE

1. Think - Highlight the words from your attribute
chart that describe the TOP of the picture in red.
2. Pair - Discuss the words you highlighted with a
partner.
3. Write - Write your ideas in the TOP Attributes box,
then use them to write a sentence or two.
4. Share - Share your sentences with different
members at your table.
cold
wet
40 degrees
icy winds
Hear See Location Movement Temperature
Where What Happened
Topic
Sentence
Top
Attributes
Middle
Attributes
Outside there was a storm.
Thunder
Rain on roof
Wind
howling
Horses
neighing
Lightning
Farm House
Barn
Trees
Rain
Dark Clouds
Country
Farm
Field
Midwest
rain falling
wind whirling
lightning
streaking
trees
swaying
- Thunder
- Dark Clouds
- Lighting
Lightning came from the dark clouds. The sound of thunder was
loud.
Now, Ill look at the MIDDLE of the picture. Ill
highlight the words that relate to the MIDDLE
in yellow. Next, Ill write the descriptive words
in the MIDDLE ATTRIBUTES box. Last, Ill write
a sentence or two that includes these
descriptive words.
- Rain on roof
- trees swaying
- wind whirling
The rain fell on the barn. Trees moved
as the wind blew.
Directions
THINK-PAIR-WRITE-SHARE

1. Think - Highlight the words from your attribute chart
that describe the MIDDLE of the picture in yellow.
2. Pair - Discuss the words you highlighted with a
partner.
3. Write - Write your ideas in the MIDDLE Attributes
box, then use them to write a sentence or two.
4. Share - Share your sentences with different
members at your table.
5. Follow the same directions for the BOTTOM
Attributes.
6. Ill put up the storm picture for you on the next slide.
The Storm Picture
Where What Happened
Topic
Sentence
Top
Attributes
Middle
Attributes
Bottom
Attributes
Concluding
Sentence
The Storm Descriptive Paragraph Frame
By the end of the lesson, your paragraph frame should look like this.
Outside there was a storm.
- Thunder
- Dark Clouds
- Lighting
Lightning came from the dark clouds. The
sound of thunder was loud.
- Rain on roof
- trees swaying
- wind whirling
The rain fell on the barn. Trees moved as
the wind blew.
- Field
- Horses

neighing
- Wet
Horses neighed as they walked on the
wet cold field.
Lesson 6: The Storm
Students will:
write different concluding sentences.
write a concluding sentence in their Storm
Paragraph Frame.
use their Storm Paragraph Frame to write a
descriptive paragraph.
Materials:
Sentence Strips
Student Workbooks
Outside there was a storm.
Lightning came from the clouds. The
sound of thunder was loud. The rain
fell on the house. Trees moved as the
wind blew. Horses neighed as they
walked on the grass. The end.
The Storm
Whats wrong with the ending?
Last night I used the sentences in my paragraph frame to write a
paragraph about The Storm. Lets read it.
1. Tell how you feel
Example - When I saw that my robot worked, I was proud of all the effort I put
into building it.
2. Summarize the main point
Example - Mammals have hair, are warm blooded and are born alive.
3. Offer Advice
Example - Wearing a helmet when you ride your bike will protect you if an
accident happens.
4. Challenge the reader to think
Example - If a tornado were to strike your home, make a list of the things you
need to be prepared.
5. Ask a question
Example - I love playing at the park, where do you like to play?
6. Use a concluding phrase or word
Example - To sum up . . . In conclusion. . . All in all . . . Always. . . Everybody . .
. Clearly. . . Obviously . . . Surely . . . In fact . . . No one
7. Encourage the reader to take action
Example - One way you can prevent pollution is to recycle.
8. Convince the reader of your point
Example - Clearly smoking is bad for your health.
9. Make a prediction
Example - I think that if our school is full, theyll use trailers for classrooms
instead of sending children to a different school.
Writing Conclusions Poster
You cant just write, The End! You need to conclude your paragraph. As you can
see there are a lot of different ways to write conclusions. Lets practice one!
Siti The Orangutan
After being saved from people who kept her illegally as
a pet, Siti the orangutan tried to crack open a coconut.
Unable to do it, she handed it to the rescue worker. The
worker handed it back because he was trying to teach Siti
how to live on her own in the forest. Siti poked the coconut
with a stick then gave it back to him. Again, the worker
played dumb and handed the coconut back. Siti then
picked up another stick and swung at the coconut as one
would with a long knife. She showed the worker what she
wanted him to do, something shed seen him do many
times.
Conclusion #1
To sum up, Siti knew how to open the
coconut, but didnt want to do the work.
Conclusion #2
Clearly, Siti was smart enough to open
the coconut on her own.
Conclusions Poster

6. Use a concluding
phrase or word
Example - To sum up .
. . In conclusion . . . All
in all . . . Always. .
Everybody . . Clearly .
.Obviously . . Surely .
In fact . . . No one

Watch me Use a Concluding Word or Phrase to write a conclusion for this
passage about Siti the Orangutan.
Directions
1. Open your writing workbook
and read the paragraph about
Elephant Problem Solvers.
2. Im handing out one sentence
strip.
3. Write a conclusion using the
Concluding Phrase or Word
approach on your sentence
strip.
4. Pass your sentence strip to the
person next to you.
5. Read that persons concluding
sentence, and write a different
conclusion on the back.
Conclusions Poster

6. Use a concluding
phrase or word
Example - To sum up
. . In conclusion . . .
All in all . . . Always.
Everybody . Clearly
. Obviously . Surely
In fact . . . No one

Prairie Dog Warnings
A prairie dog lifts its head in the air and
screams the warning call of a coyote: Eeep!
All the prairie dogs run and hide. Scientist
Tom Flynn laughs. Hes been studying
prairie dogs for one year, and has found that
prairie dogs have warning calls for at least
10 different enemies such as hawks, elks, or
humans. Each warning call is a different
short loud sound. In all his time studying
prairie dogs, Dr. Flynn has never heard a
prairie dog make a mistake.
Conclusion #1

Conclusion #2

Read the paragraph in your workbook titled, Prairie Dog Warnings.
Individually write two different conclusions using the CONCLUDING
PHRASE OR WORD approach in your workbook.
Conclusions Poster

6. Use a concluding
phrase or word
Example - To sum up . . .
In conclusion . . . All in
all . . . Always. .
Everybody . . Clearly .
Obviously . Surely . .
In fact . . . No one

Directions
1. Stand up and carry your workbook.
2. When I say go, High Five different
students in the room.
3. When I say freeze, share your
Concluding Sentences for the Prairie
Dog paragraph with the person you
just High Fived.
4. Well do three rounds of High Five.
Where What Happened
Topic
Sentence
Top
Attributes
Middle
Attributes
Bottom
Attributes
Concluding
Sentence
The Storm Descriptive Paragraph Frame
Here is my descriptive writing frame for The Storm. Im going to read it,
then write a conclusion using the CONCLUDING PHRASE OR WORD
technique. Look at the Conclusions Poster for ideas.
Outside there was a storm.
- Thunder
- Dark Clouds
- Lighting
Lightning came from the dark clouds.
The sound of thunder was loud.
- Rain on roof
- trees swaying
- wind whirling
The rain fell on the barn. Trees
moved as the wind blew.
- Field
- Horses

neighing
- Wet
Horses neighed as they walked on
the wet cold field.
Clearly, you would not want to be caught
outside during this storm.
Conclusions Poster

6. Use a concluding
phrase or word
Example - To sum up
. . . In conclusion . . .
All in all . . . Always. .
Everybody . . Clearly
. Obviously . Surely .
. In fact . . . No one

Directions
1. Read your descriptive
paragraph frame.
2. Choose a concluding word
or phrase from the
Conclusions Poster, and
write a concluding sentence
in your paragraph frame.
3. After you write your
conclusion, transfer the
writing in your frame to
paragraph form.
4. Your finished product for this
lesson should look like this:
Conclusions Poster

6. Use a concluding
phrase or word
Example - To sum up
. . In conclusion . . .
All in all . . . Always.
Everybody . Clearly
. Obviously . Surely
In fact . . . No one

Outside there was a storm.
Lightning came from the clouds.
The sound of thunder was loud.
The rain fell on the house. Trees
moved as the wind blew. Horses
neighed as they walked on the
grass. Clearly, you would not
want to be caught outside during
this storm!
The Storm
End Descriptive Writing Sample
3
rd
Grade
Copyright 2009
John Schacter, Ph.D.
Published by The Teaching Doctors

All rights reserved. These PowerPoint Slides may not be copied,
emailed, or distributed. Federal law provides severe civil and criminal
penalties for unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted
materials.