Teaching "show, don't tell" to children can be fun and engaging! Here's a breakdown of how you could approach it, incorporating interactive elements:

1. Start with the Basics: What's the Difference?

 * Tell: Explain that "telling" is when the author directly states a character's feelings or describes a scene in a straightforward way. It's like giving a report. Example: "Sarah was angry."

 * Show: Explain that "showing" is when the author uses actions, dialogue, sensory details, and internal thoughts to reveal a character's feelings or describe a scene. It's like painting a picture with words. Example: "Sarah's fists clenched, her knuckles white. She glared at the broken vase, shards of porcelain scattered across the floor. 'How could you?' she hissed."

2. Fun Examples and Comparisons:

 * Simple Emotions: Use easy-to-understand emotions like happy, sad, scared, and excited.

 * "Telling" Examples: Write simple sentences that "tell" about these emotions. Example: "He was sad." "She was excited."

 * "Showing" Examples: Next to each "telling" sentence, brainstorm with the class how you could show that emotion instead. Encourage vivid language and sensory details.

   * Sad: "Telling: He was sad." "Showing: His shoulders slumped, and he dragged his feet as he walked. A single tear escaped and traced a path down his cheek."

   * Excited: "Telling: She was excited." "Showing: She bounced on the balls of her feet, her eyes sparkling. She couldn't stop the grin that stretched across her face."

3. Interactive Activities:

 * "Emotion Charades": One student acts out an emotion without speaking. The other students have to describe what they see and infer the emotion being portrayed, writing down their "showing" descriptions.

 * "Describe the Room": Have each student write a "telling" sentence about the classroom (e.g., "The classroom was messy"). Then, have them rewrite it using "showing" language, focusing on specific details like scattered papers, the smell of markers, the sounds of chattering.

 * "Sentence Transformation": Provide sentences that "tell" and have the students rewrite them to "show." Start simple and gradually increase complexity.

 * "Picture Prompts": Show a picture with a strong emotion or a vivid scene. Ask the students to write a short paragraph that "shows" what's happening, focusing on the characters' actions, expressions, and the surrounding environment.

 * "Story Starter": Give them a simple story starter that "tells" something (e.g., "The boy was scared of the dark"). Have them continue the story, focusing on showing the boy's fear through his actions, thoughts, and senses.

4. Focus on the Five Senses:

 * Emphasize how using the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) can make writing more vivid and engaging. Encourage them to ask themselves: What do I see? Hear? Smell? Taste? Feel?

5. Use Mentor Texts:

 * Read excerpts from age-appropriate books that effectively use "show, don't tell." Discuss how the author uses language to create vivid images and convey emotions.

6. Practice and Feedback:

 * The key is practice! Give students plenty of opportunities to write and receive feedback on their use of "show, don't tell." Encourage peer feedback as well.

7. Make it Fun!

 * Use games, humor, and creative prompts to keep the students engaged and motivated. The more fun they have, the more likely they are to grasp the concept.

By using a variety of interactive activities and focusing on the five senses, you can help your students understand and effectively use "show, don't tell" in their writing. Remember to be patient and encouraging, and celebrate their progress!