Teach onomatopoeia to foster appreciation of literary devices.
While previewing text features, you asked students to take a quick look at the sound effects in the story. After reading the story, take a closer look. Tell students that onomatopoeia means words that sound like the thing they stand for. Ask:
- What makes the BRRRRRRIING sound in the story? (the telephone ringing)
- What makes the POP sound in the story? (the power going out)
- What makes the CRASH sound in the story? (the window breaking)
Next, ask students to think of other sound words. Challenge them to make the sound represented by each word using their bodies or items they have on hand. (Some sound words they may use include: beep, click, crack, crunch, hiss, gasp, howl, rumble, and snap.)
Looking for more ELL support? Download our full lesson plan and scroll to p. 5 to find questions that will help your ELLs respond to the text at the level that’s right for them.