Crayon Strike Teacher Guide Crayon Strike Teacher Guide
TELPAS Integration • Grade 10 ELL
Time: 45 Minutes
Subject: ELPS / Persuasion
Learning Objectives
• Identify persuasive techniques and "voice" in a mentor text.
• Utilize sensory vocabulary and color-specific adjectives in writing.
• Draft a formal plea (letter) using sentence stems to persuade a character.
TELPAS / ELPS Focus
Listening: Comprehending main ideas and supporting details in a read-aloud.
Speaking: Using academic language to debate which crayon has the best "argument."
Reading: Analyzing tone and word choice in the "quit letters."
Writing: Using high-frequency and academic vocabulary in a structured response.
Lesson Pacing (45 Minutes)
0-5 min
Hook & Color Associations
Display the book cover. Ask: "If you were a crayon, what would you complain about?" Quick pair-share. Define persuasion .
5-15 min
Mentor Text: Summary & Reading
Read selected letters (Red, Blue, Peach, Beige). Discuss the conflict : Why is the crayon tired? What do they want? Focus on the different "voices" for each color.
15-25 min
Language Lab: Sensory Words
Introduce the Color Palette Reference . Model how to use words like "crimson" vs "red" or "azure" vs "blue". Practice pronouncing the English equivalents of the Spanish sensory words.
25-40 min
Independent Writing: The Plea
Students choose one crayon and write Duncan’s reply. They MUST use at least 3 sensory words and 2 persuasive vocabulary words. Provide sentence stems for support.
40-45 min
Exit Ticket: The Verbal Plea
TELPAS Prep:
Students turn to a partner and say one sentence: "Please come back, _____ Crayon, because without you, I can't color the _____, which needs to be _____" (using sensory words).
TELPAS Differentiation
Beginning/Int.
Focus on the sentence stems. Allow usage of the bilingual word bank for single-word substitutions. Use pictures for color associations.
Advanced
Encourage the use of "creative words" from the word bank. Require at least one compound sentence using "because" or "therefore."
Advanced High
Students should focus on tone. Can they make Duncan sound desperate? Regretful? Humorous? Use transition words between paragraphs.
Crayon Strike Slides Crayon Strike!
THE ART OF PERSUASION & VOICE
10th Grade ELPS / TELPAS Focused Lesson
Think Like a Crayon
If you were a crayon in a high school classroom, what would your complaint be?
"I'm too short!"
"Nobody ever uses me!"
"I'm tired of drawing fire!"
Vocabulary Check:
Persuasion / Persuasión
Convincing someone to do or believe something.
Voice / Voz
The personality or "feeling" in a piece of writing.
The Day the Crayons Quit
Red Crayon
"I'm tired! I work harder than anyone else. I have to color fire engines, apples, strawberries... even on holidays!"
Blue Crayon
"I'm so short and stubby I can't even see over the railing of the crayon box anymore! I need a break!"
Peach Crayon
"Why did you peel off my paper wrapping? Now I'm NAKED and too embarrassed to leave the box!"
What is Duncan's problem? How can he fix it?
Leveling Up Our Language
Don't just say "Blue." Say it with feeling!
Sensory Words
Words that describe how things look, feel, or smell.
English → Spanish
Crimson = CarmesíAzure = Añil / AzulEmerald = EsmeraldaGolden = Dorado
Example Sentence:
"Dear Azure Crayon, please come back. Without you, the vast, freezing ocean would be empty."
Notice how "Azure" sounds more descriptive than "Blue"?
The Duncan Challenge
Write a letter to ONE crayon.
Must Include:
✅ 3 Sensory Words
✅ 2 Persuasive Words
✅ 1 Solution for their problem
Stems to Start:
"I realize that..."
"I understand you feel..."
"In the future, I will..."
Color Palette Reference The Ultimate Color Palette
Expanded Bilingual Sensory & Persuasive Bank
TELPAS Prep • Grade 10 "Don't just color. Describe."
Sensory Color Names
Base Sensory (EN) Sensory (ES) Red Crimson, Scarlet, Ruby, Cherry, Vermillion Carmesí, Escarlata, Rubí Blue Azure, Sapphire, Indigo, Cobalt, Navy, Teal Añil, Zafiro, Cobalto Green Emerald, Forest, Mint, Olive, Jade, Lime Esmeralda, Bosque, Jade Yellow Golden, Lemon, Canary, Amber, Saffron Dorado, Limón, Ámbar Orange Tangerine, Apricot, Copper, Coral, Flame Mandarina, Cobre, Coral Pink Rose, Fuchsia, Blush, Magenta, Salmon Rosado, Fucsia, Magenta Purple Violet, Plum, Royal, Lavender, Amethyst Púrpura, Violeta, Amatista
.
Base Sensory (EN) Sensory (ES) White Ivory, Snowy, Pearl, Alabaster, Milky Marfil, Níveo, Perla Black Midnight, Ink, Raven, Onyx, Charcoal Azabache, Tinta, Ónice Beige Cream, Sand, Wheat, Tan, Almond Crema, Arena, Almendra Gray Slate, Silver, Ash, Smoke, Steel Pizarra, Plata, Ceniza Peach Nectarine, Fuzzy, Melon, Skin-tone Durazno, Melón
Textures & Feelings
Stubby: Short/Desgastado
Vibrant: Bright/Vibrante
Dull: Lacking life/Opaco
Glossy: Shiny/Brillante
Faded: Pale/Desteñido
Bold: Strong/Audaz
Smeared: Messy/Manchado
Jagged: Sharp/Dentado
Verbs (ELPS)
Persuade (Persuadir)
Advocate (Abogar)
Appreciate (Apreciar)
Compromise (Transigir)
Crayon Plea Worksheet A Plea for Color
Duncan's Persuasive Letter
NAME:
DATE:
The Mission
One of your favorite crayons has quit! As Duncan, you must write a persuasive letter to convince them to come back. Use your Color Palette Reference to find sensory words and academic vocabulary.
Supportive Sentence Stems
To start your argument:
"I understand that you feel..."
"It is vital that you return because..."
To offer a solution:
"In the future, I will try to..."
"Consequently, if you return, I will..."
Dear
Crayon,
Sincerely,
Duncan
3 Sensory Words
2 Persuasive Words
1 Reasonable Solution
Scaffolded Plea Worksheet Persuasion Blueprint
STRATEGIC LETTER DRAFTING • TELPAS LEVEL: INT/ADV
SUBJECT Project: Return to Box
Author:
Date:
1
Acknowledge the Problem
Sentence Stems:
"I was surprised to hear that you..." • "I realize that I have been coloring too much..." • "It has come to my attention that..."
2
Build the Argument (Use Sensory Words)
Sentence Stems:
"Without your [sensory word] color, my drawings look..." • "You are essential because..." • "Furthermore, the world would be dull without your..."
3
Offer a Reasonable Solution
Sentence Stems:
"I promise that in the future, I will..." • "To resolve this issue, we could..." • "If you return, I will make sure to..."
4
Formal Closing
Sentence Stems:
"I eagerly await your return." • "Please reconsider your decision so that..." • "Your friend, Duncan."
DRAFT V.1.0 - PERSUASIVE WRITING SCAFFOLD
[ ] SENSORY WORDS USED [ ] PERSUASIVE TONE [ ] SOLUTION PROVIDED
