WHAT IS AN ADJECTIVE?
Are you trying to answer the question, what is an adjective? Here is a simple way to explain it to your students.
An adjective is a word we use to describe a noun. It gives the reader extra infomation about it.
When you write the noun "dog" you give the reader basic information. When you add an adjective, you give the reader information that they can use to create a more detailed picture of the dog. In this way, adjectives transorm the general idea of a dog into the more specific idea of a "muddy old sheep dog".
Adjectives transform the man into the fragile elderly man and the cake into the ornate wedding cake.
Print out this poster and you'll have a handy reference that you can use when your talking about adjectives. It's also perfect to hang up in a writing center or use in rotating literacy activities.
10 What is an Adjective? Activities
Give each student a slip of paper and ask them to write what they think an adjective is. Read these to the class or get small literacy groups to read them and discuss.
Use any photocopied text that the
students can write on. This could be something that was put in their
books earlier. Students simply use a pencil or marker to circle or
highlight the adjectives.
Give each student a novel and ask them to find 10 adjectives in it. Once they have done this, call out a page number and challenge them to find 3 more. What is the first adjective on that page? What is the last adjective on that page? Can anyone find an adjective that starts with a P?
Divide the class in small groups and ask them to create a poster explaining what an adjective is. Give a prize to the winners. Half an hour free time or game time is easy. Younger students could could colour in the poster on this page.
Write a mix of adjectives and nouns on slips of paper and scatter or hide them in a playground or oval. Students race to collect them. Two points for an adjective- one point for a noun (that way the nouns aren't left on the ground). When the game is over glue these onto two posters titled - These Are Nouns! and These Are Adjectives!
Start creating a class collection of adjectives. Put them in a display that keeps growing or in a book that can be used as a reference during writing activities. A goal of 100 or even 1000 adjectives will help to keep the motivation. Students could be challenged to bring in one new adjective a day.
As part of homework, students ask each member of the family to think of one adjective and then write this down.
Students are placed in small groups and encouraged to talk. Everyone tries to spot when an adjective is used and then writes it down.
A mix of adjectives and nouns are placed in a bag and students are given two each. They must work out whether the words they have are nouns or adjectives and then use them in one or two sentences.
Students in small groups or pairs are given a pack of cards or pieces of paper with nouns and adjectives on them. They must sort them into two piles. Once they have the hang of sorting them, challenge the students to do it in two minutes or less. Use a classroom clock or stop watch to see who is the fastest.
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