Story Writing & the Top Ten Word List

During oral reading throughout the year, you and your students will come across hundres, if not thousands, of excellent words that stand out in your minds. I encourage students to have a Top Ten word list, in which they constantly search for interesting words as they read, updating the list throughout the year as better works come along. I ask them to find or create situations where they can use them in the writing of stories or any compositions.
In every high-scoring, quality student paper, you will notice an average of between five and ten highly effective word choices. A Top Ten word list forces the students to constantly be looking for new words and better ways to express themselves as they plan and write their compositions each week.