As a class, we discuss an illustration from a book we have read and then describe what we would see, smell, hear, touch and taste if we were in the picture.  We use those descriptions to fill in the blanks in a story, and then reread the story to the class.  I usually contrast our detailed story with a less detailed story and we discuss which one is EXCITING and which one is BORING. 

 

Here are a few of our class stories:

 

Note: the words in italics are the words that the students came up with to fill in the missing part.

 

I gasped when I saw the giant standing before me!

It was taller than the Empire State Building and wider

than the giant in Terabithia.  The huge man wore

a ripped up gray and red shirt.  His shoes were as

big as a house.  I peered at his bloody face and

ugly belly.  His ears flapped around like butterflies.

I covered my ears when I heard him Roar!  It sounded

like a dinosaur scream.  Looking at him made me feel

 

 

 

I couldn't believe I was exploring the old haunted house!  I noticed that the room was a wreck- with spider webs and scratches on the wall.  I stared, open-mouthed at the skeletons without skin in the middle of the room.  I jumped at the sound of footsteps and

the wind going WHOOOO.  I fumbled in the dark and felt a hairy spider.  It smelled like stinky people that don't take a bath.  Being there made me feel fumbly, like frogs jumping in my belly.

 

 

 

(This frame was taken from the illustration in the center

of Where the Wild Things Are where Max and the Wild

Things are dancing under the full moon)

 

The Wild Things were scarier than a bloody monster!  I stared at their scary, disgusting faces and gooshy, striped bodies and began to feel brave.  "Let the wild rumpus start!" I yelled.  Suddenly the forest was filled with the sound of loud, frightening roars.  The smell of mud and feet mixed together tickled my nose.  I tripped and bumped into one of the Wild Things, feeling its hairy, gooey arm.  Just being here with these creatures

made me feel like peeing my pants.