Take several simple, undescriptive sentences from students writing, unnamed of course. Write these sentences onto a transparency; use sentences similar to the following:

• I had fun at the party.
• I like my mom.
• She is nice.
• My brother is mean.
• We went to the store.

Have students rewrite these sentences in more interesting, descriptive ways. Share the new sentences as a whole group. This will help students develop better writing skills during their journal writing time.