Model how to write a descriptive paragraph. Choose an object to write about and display it near your writing area. Think out loud as you compose a topic sentence describing what the object is, such as: "There is a pineapple on the table." In the following sentences, invite students to describe what the object looks like. If they give a simple sentence like, "It has leaves," encourage them to expand and describe what kind of leaves. Ask them to use words for color, shape, size and texture. Display the paragraph on an easel or wall in the writing area.
Brainstorm descriptive words to describe color, size, texture and shape. Have the students write words on index cards or post-it notes and then group them under those headings. You may want to dramatically ban words, such as "big" and "good," because they tend to be overused. Kids really respond to an over-the-top explanation for giving up these weaker adjectives.
Give students an object to write about. Leave the students' descriptive language word bank available for students who need ideas. Encourage them to touch and discuss the object and prepare to write about it.
Teach children to use a graphic organizer for a "hamburger paragraph" or other paragraph outline. This should include notations for a topic sentence, details, and a concluding sentence. You may have to teach several options for a concluding sentence, because this tends to be an area of difficulty for many students. Some choices are ending with an opinion, or by describing what the object is used for.
Edit paragraphs to improve descriptive language. Either remove the names from some student paragraphs, or provide some teacher-written paragraphs. Give out copies of the paragraphs or put them up on the overhead projector, and have students identify the descriptive language used and make suggestions about where more descriptive language can be used. Remind them that the purpose of descriptive language is to make your writing clearer and more interesting.
Have students write a paragraph describing an object, but leave out the name of the object. These paragraphs will serve as riddles for other students to solve. Have students read the paragraphs, independently or in groups, and guess what objects they are describing. This activity reinforces the importance of describing objects clearly, so that your reader understands everything.