Adjectives and Adverbs in Your Writing
A 40-minute Grade 2 lesson on using words acquired from reading and conversation, including adjectives and adverbs, to describe.
Adjectives and Adverbs in Your Writing is a free 40-minute Grade 2 English lesson plan for Common Core standard L.2.6 — use adjectives and adverbs you have met in reading to describe things. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Grade 2
- Length:
- 40 minutes
- Standard:
- L.2.6
Grade 2 · Language
L.2.6
Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).
Objective
Students will be able to replace a weak describing word with a stronger one from their reading.
Students are successful when they can
- Identifies a weak describing word.
- Replaces it with a precise one.
- Says where the new word came from.
What you need
- The class word collection from recent reading
- A paragraph full of weak describing words
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — banned words
5 min- Read a paragraph using 'nice', 'big' and 'good' repeatedly.
- Ask what each one actually tells you. Very little.
Teach — replace, then check the fit
13 min- Take 'big' and offer three replacements from the collection: enormous, towering, bulky.
- Put each into the sentence and read it. Only one fits.
- Say why: a stronger word is also a more specific one, so it can be wrong.
- Do the same for an adverb: 'quickly' becomes 'suddenly' or 'hurriedly' depending on the meaning.
- Say where these words came from — the book they were collected from.
“A better word is a fussier word. Read the sentence to check it actually fits.”
Guided practice — three replacements
12 min- Pairs replace three weak words in the paragraph.
- For each, they try two candidates and choose.
- They say where each word came from.
Independent practice
8 min- Students complete the word-choice page.
- The word collection is on the sheet.
Close
2 min- Read a sentence before and after. Ask what the new word added.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
Swaps in the longest word available.
Why: Long words look impressive and the task rewards change.
Fix: Read the sentence after. A long word that does not fit is worse than 'big'.
Replaces every describing word.
Why: The exercise implies all of them are weak.
Fix: Some are fine. Replace the ones that tell the reader nothing.
Uses a word without knowing its meaning.
Why: It was on the list, so it must be good.
Fix: Say what it means before using it. A word from the wall still has to be understood.
If they are not there yet
- One replacement rather than three.
- Give two candidates to choose between.
If they finish early
- Replace an adjective and an adverb in the same sentence.
- Find a place where the plain word was better.
- Add a word to the collection from your own reading.
Exit ticket
Replace 'nice' in this sentence with a better word and say why it fits.
What to look for: A word that fits the sentence. A long word that does not means the read-it-back check needs enforcing.
Printable practice for L.2.6
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- Adjectives and AdverbsSort each word into the right column.
Questions about Adjectives and Adverbs in Your Writing
How long does the Adjectives and Adverbs in Your Writing lesson take?
40 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 5 min, teach 13 min, guided practice 12 min, independent practice 8 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does Adjectives and Adverbs in Your Writing teach?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.6 — L.2.6, Language for Grade 2: “Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).” In plain terms, use adjectives and adverbs you have met in reading to describe things.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
The class word collection from recent reading, a paragraph full of weak describing words and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: swaps in the longest word available; replaces every describing word and uses a word without knowing its meaning. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “Replace 'nice' in this sentence with a better word and say why it fits.” A word that fits the sentence. A long word that does not means the read-it-back check needs enforcing. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with Adjectives and Adverbs in Your Writing?
Yes — 1 printable L.2.6 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is Adjectives and Adverbs in Your Writing free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to L.2.6 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.