Lesson Plan: Make Narrative Exciting with Adverbs

Objectives:
Identify & use adverbs
Liven up a story by using adverbs

Time: 45-60 minutes

Resources: Adverb Worksheet #1 handouts (found within lesson plan)

Say, "A way that we can make a narrative story more exciting is by knowing how to describe actions accurately. One way that we can do that is by using adverbs."

What are adverbs?

Present the following information and examples:

Adverbs modify (change, make different) verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. In the following examples the adverbs are bold and the words they modify are underlined.

They can tell when: Yesterday we studied French.
They can tell to what extent: French is very difficult.
They can tell how: The teacher speaks rapidly.
They can tell where: He can speak French everywhere.

Many times they end in "ly"

Activity: Practice Identifying and Using Adverbs

Cut and copy the following italic material to make a worksheet. Have one copy made per student.

A. Identify the adverbs by underlining them. Find the word each adverb modifies. Circles the words that are modified and draw an arrow to show the relationship between the adverb and the word it modifies.

1. I looked extremely hard for a very good book.

2. I read almost steadily for several hours.

3. I danced rather vigorously at the party.

4. I repeatedly drank water because I was very thirsty.

5. I finally became tired and slept for too long.

B. Form the adverb from the following adjectives. Then write a sentence using each adverb. Example: clear → clearly : I can see clearly when I wear my glasses.

1. wise →
2. slow →
3. kind →
4. regretful →
5. awful →
6. terrible →
7. thoughtful →
8. hungry →
9. careful →

Answers to Worksheet

1. I looked extremely hard for a verygood book.

Extremely modifies hard. Hard modifies looked. Very modifies good.

2. I read almost steadily for severalhours.

Almost modifies steadily. Steadily modifies read. Several modifies hours.

3. I danced rather vigorously at the party.

Rather modifies vigorously. Vigorously modifies danced.

4. I repeatedly drank water because I was verythirsty.