Writing Lessons - Showing Not Telling
English Curriculum connections
Identify language that can be used for appreciating texts and the qualities of people and things
(ACELA1462)
Curriculum connections
DRAS1.2
Conveys story, depicts events and expresses feelings
by using the elements of drama and the expressive
skills of movement and voice.
Engage in conversations and discussions, using active listening behaviours, showing interest, and
contributing ideas, information and questions (ACELY1656)
Lesson
Lesson Objectives
Students will:
1.
Describing a  Understand there are many
ways to describe an emotion
characters
emotions
 Identify different
50mins
characteristics that may be
used to describe an emotion
Students will:
 Recognise that describing
emotions provides more
information and paints a
45mins
picture for the reader.
 Write sentences describing
an emotion.
Students
will:
3.Describing
a character’s  Understand that more
description can be provided
actions
using the 5 senses.
50mins
 Use the five senses to add
more details to writing.
2. Writing
about
emotions
Summary of Tasks
 Discuss that just using happy, sad, and
angry in writing can be boring
 Demonstrate to class being angry
 Analyse my face, body and voice.
 Select students to act out different emotions.
 Analyse an individuals face, body and voice.
 Create an emotion mind map in writing book
Teaching/Learning
Strategies
Establish prior
knowledge
Group Discussion
Brainstorming
Resources
Whiteboard
Writing book
Formative
assessment –
ability to describe
different emotions
verbally.
Whiteboard
Writing book
Observations –
class discussion
Think Pair Share
Group Discussion
 Discuss what senses are used when doing
different things.

Group Discussion
Brainstorming
Summative –
Sentences about
emotions
Questioning
Brainstorming
Questioning
Think Pair Share
Observations class discussion
Emotion
cards
Questioning
 Discuss the effects of describing emotions to
the reader.
 Analyse example ‘showing sentences’
 Students to pick a sentence to show.
 Visualisation of a character’s emotions.
 Plan and write sentences.
Assessment
Whiteboard
Writing book
Lesson Title: Describing a characters emotions
Intended Learning Objectives
Students will:
 Understand there are many ways to describe an emotion
 Identify different characteristics that may be used to describe an emotion
Curriculum Links
(ACELA1462) Identify language that can be used for appreciating texts and the qualities of people and
things
(ACELY1656) Engage in conversations and discussions, using active listening behaviours, showing
interest, and contributing ideas, information and questions
DRAS1.2 Conveys story, depicts events and expresses feelings by using the elements of drama and
the expressive skills of movement and voice.
Students’ Prior Knowledge

An understanding of the role of a character in a story.
Materials


Whiteboard
Mini whiteboards

Writing books
Lessons Steps
Introduction



Inform students that today we will be looking at different ways we can express emotions.
Lead students into a discussion on how to ‘show not tell’ emotions by looking at the face, body
and voice.
Demonstrate to students an upset emotion. Students to analyse the face, body and voice used.
Main body



Brainstorm with students ‘shows’ to replace ‘tells’ for different emotions.
Select students to demonstrate particular emotions. Discuss with class the emotions displayed
on the face, body and voice.
Students to choose an emotion to create a brainstorm of ‘show not tell’
Conclusion

As a class, selected students can demonstrate their particular brainstorm of emotions.
Extension
Students that finish early may commence another brainstorm on a different emotion.
Assessment

Observations - class discussion

Formative assessment – ability to describe different emotions verbally.
Lesson Title: Writing about Emotions
Intended Learning Objectives
Students will:
 Recognise that describing emotions provides more information and paints a picture for the reader.
 Write sentences describing an emotion.
Curriculum Links
(ACELA1462) Identify language that can be used for appreciating texts and the qualities of people and
things
(ACELY1656) Engage in conversations and discussions, using active listening behaviours, showing
interest, and contributing ideas, information and questions
DRAS1.2 Conveys story, depicts events and expresses feelings by using the elements of drama and
the expressive skills of movement and voice.
Students’ Prior Knowledge

An understanding of the role of a character in a story.
Materials

Whiteboard

Writing books
Lessons Steps
Introduction



Inform students that today we will continue looking at different ways we can express emotions.
Read to students a selection of paragraphs outlining a ‘Show not tell’ providing opportunities
for students to guess the emotion and understand the elements of a ‘Show’
Discuss with students reason writers use ‘Show not Tell’
Main body




Inform students that they will be creating their own ‘Show not Tell’ sentences.
Collaboratively develop a plan for sentences on a particular emotion.
Select students to demonstrate particular emotions. Discuss with class the emotions displayed
on the face, body and voice.
Provide students with a sentence to plan and write sentences.
Conclusion

Selected students share their writing with the class.
Differentiation
Advanced students are provided with more difficult ‘Show not Tell’ sentences.
Assessment


Observations – class discussion
Summative – Sentences about emotions