Descriptive Writing Object Cards – FREE Printables!

One important way for students to improve their writing skills is by practicing descriptive writing! This improves their communication with more complex and interesting writing.

To help my students practice, I like to use these descriptive writing object cards. It’s a meaningful, low-prep activity to use with small groups or whole class who are learning about using details to describe an object.

Reuse the cards over and over, and simply copy the reproducible writing sheet (or use the scaffolded version!) with your students.

➡️ Here’s why we think you’ll love it, too:

• Provides a multimodal learning experience with visual and kinesthetic elements.
• Builds vocabulary and comprehension by challenging students to describe objects using all five senses.
• Scaffolded version for easy differentiation with picture prompts for each category to help students engage their senses, AND a sentence frame to help them build the sentence.
• Low-prep, high-impact! Simply cut out the object cards and start!

WHAT YOU GET:

• 30 Object Cards (2 pages)
• Blank Cards
• Reproducible Writing Sheet
• Scaffolded Writing Sheet

Instructions & Teaching Info

Before you begin: Cut out all the object cards that you want to use. We recommend lamina them for extended use. Give each student one version of the descriptive writing worksheet.

1. Introduce descriptive writing. “Good writers help readers see, feel, and imagine things using words. They paint a picture with words!”
   • Model orally first (very important!). Choose one object card and describe it out loud.
     Example: “This watermelon slice is red, green. It has black seeds. The green and white part is hard and the red part is soft. It’s a little heavy. It tastes sweet and juicy. It’s wet and sticky.”
2. Choose a word card and brainstorm descriptive words. Guide students to think about the next object using their senses.
   • Students add words or short phrases to the columns.
   • Remind them: “You do not need to fill in every box. Choose the ones that make sense.” I sometimes have them X out columns that are irrelevant.
      Tip: Create a word helper bank on the board (Colors: shiny, neon, dull, orange, etc.)
3. Turn words into a sentence.
   • Students choose at least two descriptive words from their chart.
   • Students write one descriptive sentence about the object.
4. Share and reflect.
   • Have students read their sentences aloud.

Differentiation & Extension Ideas

For students needing more support:

• Use the scaffolded descriptive writing page – it has built-in comprehension supports and a sentence frame!
• Provide a limited selection of pre-chosen object options.
• Have students to work in pairs or small groups.

For more advanced writers:

• Have students come up with a few objects and draw them on the blank cards.
• Add a second sentence or challenge students to write a story.
• Challenge students to replace simple words with stronger words. Use our shades of meaning anchor chart to make it easier.

Offer Extension Activities:

• Have students read their sentences aloud to each other.
• Use the created sentences as a starting point for storytelling or creative writing.
• Create a class book of sentences with illustrations.
• Play “Guess the Object.” Without telling what the object is, one student can read their descriptive words aloud to the others, who try to guess the object they’re describing.

Download & Print

DOWNLOAD TERMS: All of our resources and printables are designed for personal use only in homes and classrooms. Each teacher must download his or her own copy. You may not: Save our files to a shared drive, reproduce our resources on the web, or make photocopies for anyone besides your own students. To share with others, please use the social share links provided or distribute the link to the blog post so others can download their own copies. Your support in this allows us to keep making free resources for everyone! Please see our Creative Credits page for information about the licensed clipart we use. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our terms, please email us. Thank you!

Descriptive Writing Sheets & Object Cards

1 file(s) 28.00 KB

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We’d love to hear about your experience using this resource!
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➡ MORE FREEBIES: Silly Syntax Worksheets.