Sound Words 

On Hand: Mouse's First Snow by Lauren Thompson (2005) or other text that uses onomatopoeia. Optional: chart paper or a whiteboard.

Mini-Lesson: When it comes to selecting dazzling words-particularly ones that deliver more voice-onomatopoeia is one of the simplest and most effective strategies for primary students. After reading the story once for pleasure, I return to the text and point out the sound words that Lauren Thompson has included (Woosh, Swoosh! Pliff, Ploof!)and ask, "How do these words make you feel?" Guide students to understand that sounds help the reader feel as if he or she were there in the story experiencing everything that Mouse is experiencing.

            Invite students to add sound words to their writing.

Extension: Model the use of the editor's caret. (What I love about Thompson's text is that the onomatopoeia is set off, almost as if these words were added in a revision.) Write a sentence without a sound, and then show the students how the caret (which they no doubt picture as a carrot tip) helps a writer go back and add words to the sentence:

More Fun with Onomatopoeia

On Hand: Snow Music by Lynne Rae Perkins (2003)

Mini-Lesson: Read Snow Music. Take some time to compare this book with Mouse's First Snow by Lauren Thompson. Guide students to understand that the words Thompson chose create a lively, carefree romp, whereas the words Perkins selected on some pages ("peth, peth, peth") create a more hushed, whispery quality.

Extension: Read Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse by Lindsay Barrett George (2004), which is a fabulous addition to any primary classroom. The pages compare the lives of two mice with brief, repetitive text that contains many high-frequency words. (Students are eager to read this story independently.) Point out that Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse does not have sound words. Invite students to come up with sound words to accompany the text on each page. (No need to record the words unless you wish. Students will benefit from the practice of thinking about actions and the sounds they make.)

Excerpt from No More "I'm Done!" Fostering Independent Writers in the Primary Grades