Quick 10-minute writing skills task - verb boost
21.11.24
Week 3 – 'On The Go' 11+ writing skill challenge
I will post a weekly writing skills task over the next few weeks that can be used with your child while you're on a journey, waiting for the bus, or sitting in a waiting room somewhere. You can access them via this Free Resources area. They will mainly be oral tasks, but some may require your child to jot down a few words. Using the 'Notes' on a phone is suitable for this. The tasks have been chosen to stretch your child's skills in key areas.
So, let's get started on Week 3.
This challenge is good for generating excitement about words and how they work. It's also good to learn synonyms for the commonly repeated verbs in children's writing (look, said, went, etc.) Again, it's one I have used in school with all age groups as a quick warm-up and is inspired by the literacy guru Pie Corbett.
Week 3 – Verb Boost 
Step 1: Take 30 seconds to jot down (or say) alternative words for each of the following verbs:-
1. said2. look3. went4. got5. ate6. touchSuggestions to help your child are at the bottom of this post (but try not to show them until they've had a go themselves).
Step 2: Choose one word from each list and say a sentence about the picture on this post. You can change the tense if it fits better (i.e. peek = peeked).Example 1: said – Iris squealed as she spotted yet another bubblegum-pink cloud landing in the playground.
Example 2: look – Staring at the pink fluffy thing that had landed silently in front of them, Samir wondered if it was safe to touch it.
Synonym suggestions
said – squealed, howl, shrieked, yelled, whispered,look – peek, glance, gaze, stare, peer, scanwent – glide, levitate, travel, bounded, rushedgot – grabbed, clambered, climbed, bounced, pogoate – nibbled, tasted, chewed, munchedtouch – tickle, punch, stroke, prod, pokeI hope you enjoy the task (and it makes waiting for the bus more fun).
Anna