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ABC Book of Tongue Twisters

Subjects

• Language Arts
• Literature
• Ed Technology
  

Grades

• K-8
  

Brief Description

Objectives

• write sentences using alliteration.
• compile their sentences into a class book.

Keywords

Materials Needed

• literature with examples of alliteration (some suggested titles included)
• chalkboard or chart paper
• classroom pictionaries and dictionaries
• word wall of high frequency words (optional)
• art materials or computer drawing program (optional)

Lesson Plan

Read aloud a piece of literature that includes good examples of alliteration. Books such as Some Smug Slug or Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke, both by Pamela Duncan Edwards are good examples.

After reading, ask students to extend the title by adding more words that begin with the same letter s. Creating silly sentences is highly motivating for the students. An example might be: Some Smug Slug Sang Splendid Songs.

You might share additional examples of alliteration. Notice how those example also are tongue twisters.

If students are studying parts of speech, you might take time to identify the parts of speech included in the example Some Smug Slug Sang Splendid Songs. Model on chalkboard or chart paper the parts of speech included in that title.

• describing words (adjective/adverb): Some smug
• naming word (noun): slug
• action word (verb): sang
• another describing word: splendid
• another noun: songs

After students are comfortable with the concept, assign a letter to each student or have each student draw a letter at random. Distribute paper for students to use as they tackle the first draft of their sentences. Explain to students that they can use dictionaries, pictionaries, and the class word wall to support their writing.

Allow students to collaborate if they have difficulty finding words. You might hear requests like, "I need an action word that starts with "y."

Editing for conventional spelling can be done with peers first, then in a student-teacher conference. Students might read aloud to share their writing.

Have students illustrate their sentences with art materials or a computer drawing program. Post finished work on a bulletin board; later, you might use the artwork to create a class ABC Book of Alliteration or an ABC Book of Tongue Twisters. Older primary students could share their book with a class of younger students.

Extension Activity: Use student artwork to create a Web page. See Tongue Twister Alphabet Book: Fun With Alliteration, a book created by first graders.

Assessment

Students will write a sentence using alliteration (each word or most words begin with the same consonant) and include basic parts of speech in the sentence (at least one adjective, noun, and verb).

Submitted By

Marci McGowan, H. W. Mountz Elementary School in Spring Lake, New Jersey

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