Using TikTok to Promote Descriptive Writing and Inferencing Skills

Today, I heard one of the best questions a student can ask. “Ms. Roberson, can we do that again tomorrow?” Day made!

Most of our little ones have been on, or at least heard of, TikTok! When this app is mentioned, instant engagement! I want to share the lesson I taught this week that was not only engaging, but effective!

Some scholars will write a few lines of general information and feel it is sufficient. Drawing out details can be a task for all so I tried something new. I am including a sample of the lesson via google slides at the end of this blog.

I began the lesson by asking who knows about the tell me without telling me challenge. The response was plentiful and loud! The smiles and cheers made it worth me almost jumping out of my skin!

I found a few, appropriate, examples that they could relate to. I focused on pets and videos and parents that may elicit a chuckle. After the video examples, I read two samples I wrote and gave them the opportunity to guess what I was describing. As I read, I glanced at their little faces and saw the wheels turning as they focused on the text evidence presented.

Using predetermined groups, students had the opportunity to create their own version of the tell me without telling me challenge. Each group had the responsibility of assigning jobs for accountability. I provided a mini rubric for the class to reference while working.

Presentations were exciting as we listened and took turns guessing the description. I was blown away by the strong, imagery filled, descriptive writing presented! During the presentations, we celebrated each other which promoted the continuous building of our classroom community!

In our present pandemic, we must ensure social distancing is enforced, especially during group assignments. My in person student groups had no more than 4 students and were arranged around the room where they could truly distance themselves. In the event your in person classes are large, you can create a google meet or zoom call and utilize breakout rooms. Your students can use the chat feature, and a shared google doc, while sitting safely at their desks. This obviously fits for online students as well.

Below is one of the model texts I wrote for the tell me without telling me challenge.

Did you figure it out? If you said tell me you’re nervous without telling me, you are correct! Some said tell me you’re scared without telling me and some were able to inference that I was describing someone about to give a speech. I do suggest modeling a couple of examples so they know your expectations.

Click here to make a copy of the tell me without telling me google slide mini lesson. You will be asked to make a copy in order to access the document.

If you use the mini lesson or plan on using it, you can reach out to me on Twitter and Instagram @TeachMsRoberson or comment on this blog below. Also, If you have any ideas for resources, feel free to send me a message and I will try to create and blog about the suggestion. I look forward to interacting with you!

Katrina Roberson M.Ed. in teaching and learning and has taught 2nd grade, 7th grade, and currently teaches 4th grade ELA. She enjoys researching new ways to implement technology in the classroom and supplement daily tasks for both in person and virtual scholars. Her passion to grow students is extended to the retention and growth of teachers new to the field. She has been a mentor to new teachers while teaching 7th grade, and to new teachers she knows personally. She is also a proud Nearpod certified educator and Nearpod PioNear.