Companion to The Composition Ladder · Primary 4

Sixty Days of Words

Three a day for sixty days: one idiom and two describing words, grouped by the situations a composition actually asks for. Every item comes with a plain meaning and a model sentence she can lift straight into a story.

60 days 180 items 60 idioms 120 describing words ~6 min/day
A word garden growing out of an open book, watered by a girl while a fox gathers glowing word-seeds
0 of 60 days ticked

Feelings

Days 1–10

The unit that moves marks fastest. Pairs with Week 11 of the course — showing feelings instead of naming them.

Day 01

Feeling afraid

One idiom
  1. butterflies in my stomacha nervous, fluttery feelingI had butterflies in my stomach as I walked onto the stage.
Two describing words
  1. petrifiedso frightened you cannot moveI stood petrified at the top of the diving board.
  2. tremblingshaking slightlyMy trembling fingers could not undo the zip.
Day 02

Feeling happy

One idiom
  1. over the moonextremely happyMother was over the moon when I passed my swimming test.
Two describing words
  1. beamedsmiled brightlyGrandmother beamed when she opened the parcel.
  2. a warm glow spread through my chestquiet, deep happinessA warm glow spread through my chest as I walked home.
Day 03

Feeling sad

One idiom
  1. down in the dumpsfeeling lowSiti was down in the dumps after losing the match.
Two describing words
  1. miserablevery unhappyI sat miserable and damp on the bench.
  2. eyes stungtears were comingMy eyes stung as I read the last page.
Day 04

Feeling angry

One idiom
  1. see redbecome very angryI saw red when I found my book torn in half.
Two describing words
  1. fumingextremely angryI stood fuming outside the classroom.
  2. clenchedsqueezed tightMy fists clenched at my sides.
Day 05

Worry and nerves

One idiom
  1. on pins and needlesanxiously waitingI was on pins and needles until the results came out.
Two describing words
  1. uneasyslightly worriedI felt uneasy the moment we entered the empty corridor.
  2. fidgetedmoved restlesslyI fidgeted with my pencil case throughout assembly.
Day 06

Surprise and shock

One idiom
  1. out of the bluecompletely unexpectedOut of the blue, my cousin appeared at the gate.
Two describing words
  1. gaspedbreathed in sharplyThe whole class gasped.
  2. stunnedtoo shocked to reactI stood stunned, the letter still in my hand.
Day 07

Embarrassment and shame

One idiom
  1. as red as a beetrootblushing deeplyI turned as red as a beetroot when I tripped.
Two describing words
  1. flushedwent red in the faceMy cheeks flushed as everyone turned to look.
  2. mumbledspoke unclearly and quietlyI mumbled an apology.
Day 08

Relief

One idiom
  1. a weight off my shouldersfreed from worryHanding in the project was a weight off my shoulders.
Two describing words
  1. slumpeddropped down looselyI slumped into the chair, exhausted.
  2. unclenchedreleased its tightnessMy shoulders finally unclenched.
Day 09

Pride and confidence

One idiom
  1. hold my head highbe proudI held my head high as I walked back to my seat.
Two describing words
  1. beamingsmiling proudlyBeaming, she lifted the medal above her head.
  2. squared my shouldersstood up confidentlyI squared my shoulders and stepped forward.
Day 10

Disappointment and regret

One idiom
  1. let downdisappointed by someoneI felt let down when nobody came.
Two describing words
  1. crestfallenvisibly disappointedThe crestfallen team trudged off the field.
  2. deflatedlike air let out of youI walked home deflated.

People

Days 11–20

Faces, voices, hands and movement. This is where a story stops having “a boy” in it and starts having a person.

Day 11

Faces and expressions

One idiom
  1. a face like thundera furiously angry expressionMr Lim walked in with a face like thunder.
Two describing words
  1. furrowedcreased with worryHis brow furrowed as he studied the map.
  2. scowledfrowned angrilyThe shopkeeper scowled at the noisy boys.
Day 12

Eyes and looking

One idiom
  1. keep an eye onwatch carefullyPlease keep an eye on my bag.
Two describing words
  1. peeredlooked closely and with difficultyI peered into the dark cupboard.
  2. glancedlooked quicklyShe glanced at the clock and stood up.
Day 13

Voices and speaking

One idiom
  1. at the top of my lungsas loudly as possibleI shouted at the top of my lungs.
Two describing words
  1. bellowedshouted very loudlyThe coach bellowed from the sideline.
  2. murmuredspoke softly“It is alright,” she murmured.
Day 14

Hands and doing

One idiom
  1. lend a handhelpThree boys ran over to lend a hand.
Two describing words
  1. fumbledhandled clumsilyI fumbled with the lock.
  2. clutchedheld tightlyShe clutched the letter to her chest.
Day 15

Walking and running

One idiom
  1. drag my feetmove or act slowly and unwillinglyI dragged my feet all the way to the dentist.
Two describing words
  1. dartedmoved quickly and suddenlyA lizard darted across the wall.
  2. shuffledwalked without lifting the feetThe old man shuffled to the counter.
Day 16

What people look like

One idiom
  1. the spitting image oflooks exactly likeShe is the spitting image of her mother.
Two describing words
  1. scruffyuntidy and unkemptA scruffy little dog followed us home.
  2. toweringvery tallA towering security guard blocked the gate.
Day 17

Kind people

One idiom
  1. a heart of goldvery kind by natureAuntie Rose has a heart of gold.
Two describing words
  1. gentlesoft and carefulHer gentle voice calmed the whole room.
  2. patientwilling to wait calmlyThe librarian was endlessly patient with us.
Day 18

Unkind people

One idiom
  1. stir up troubledeliberately cause problemsHe loved to stir up trouble.
Two describing words
  1. smugannoyingly pleased with oneselfHe wore a smug little smile.
  2. sneeredsmiled unkindlyThe bigger boy sneered at my drawing.
Day 19

Crowds and groups

One idiom
  1. packed like sardinesextremely crowdedThe train was packed like sardines.
Two describing words
  1. swarmedmoved in a large massChildren swarmed around the ice-cream cart.
  2. jostledpushed against one anotherShoppers jostled at the entrance.
Day 20

Old and young

One idiom
  1. young at heartlively despite being oldGrandpa is eighty and still young at heart.
Two describing words
  1. frailweak and delicateHer frail hand rested on mine.
  2. sprightlylively, of an older personA sprightly old lady led the morning exercises.

Places and weather

Days 21–30

Openings live here. Pairs with Week 12 — using sound and smell before anything is seen.

Day 21

Rain

One idiom
  1. raining cats and dogsraining very heavilyIt was raining cats and dogs by noon.
Two describing words
  1. drizzlefine light rainA thin drizzle greeted us at the gate.
  2. peltedstruck hard and fastRain pelted the zinc roof.
Day 22

Storms and thunder

One idiom
  1. the calm before the stormthe quiet before troubleThe empty street was the calm before the storm.
Two describing words
  1. rumbledmade a low rolling soundThunder rumbled behind the flats.
  2. crackledmade sharp snapping soundsLightning crackled across the sky.
Day 23

Heat and sun

One idiom
  1. sweat bucketssweat a great dealWe sweated buckets during the drill.
Two describing words
  1. scorchingburning hotA scorching afternoon kept everyone indoors.
  2. shimmeredwavered in the heatThe road shimmered in the distance.
Day 24

Morning and night

One idiom
  1. at the crack of dawnvery early in the morningWe set off at the crack of dawn.
Two describing words
  1. hazysoft and unclearA hazy morning light filled the kitchen.
  2. dimfaintly litThe corridor was dim and cool.
Day 25

School

One idiom
  1. teacher’s petthe favourite pupilNobody wants to be called the teacher’s pet.
Two describing words
  1. echoedsound bounced backOur footsteps echoed down the empty corridor.
  2. hushedquiet and stillA hushed hall waited for the results.
Day 26

Home

One idiom
  1. feel at homefeel comfortable somewhereI felt at home there within minutes.
Two describing words
  1. cosysmall and comfortableOur cosy kitchen smelled of ginger.
  2. lived-incomfortably untidyThe lived-in room was full of shoes and books.
Day 27

Hawker centre and market

One idiom
  1. sell like hot cakessell extremely quicklyThe kaya toast sold like hot cakes.
Two describing words
  1. sizzledhissed while fryingPrawns sizzled on the blackened pan.
  2. waftedfloated through the air, of a smellThe smell of grilled chicken wafted past.
Day 28

Park and nature

One idiom
  1. a breath of fresh aira welcome changeThe morning walk was a breath of fresh air.
Two describing words
  1. rustledmade a soft dry soundLeaves rustled overhead.
  2. dappledpatched with light and shadeDappled sunlight lay across the path.
Day 29

Roads and traffic

One idiom
  1. hit the roadset off on a journeyWe hit the road at seven.
Two describing words
  1. screechedmade a high scraping soundTyres screeched at the corner.
  2. honkedsounded a hornA lorry honked twice behind us.
Day 30

Sea, beach and pool

One idiom
  1. in deep waterin serious troubleI was in deep water after the broken window.
Two describing words
  1. lappedtouched gently, of waterWaves lapped at our ankles.
  2. glistenedshone wetlyThe wet sand glistened.

Trouble and action

Days 31–40

Every composition needs a problem. These are the words for the middle of the story — the part most children rush.

Day 31

Accidents and falls

One idiom
  1. head over heelstumbling right overHe went head over heels over the kerb.
Two describing words
  1. sprawledspread out on the groundHe lay sprawled across the pavement.
  2. tumbledfell while rolling overThe bag tumbled down the steps.
Day 32

Losing things

One idiom
  1. slip your mindbe forgottenIt completely slipped my mind.
Two describing words
  1. rummagedsearched messilyI rummaged through my bag for the third time.
  2. franticwildly worriedA frantic search began.
Day 33

Being late

One idiom
  1. against the clockracing to finish in timeWe worked against the clock.
Two describing words
  1. hurtledmoved very fastI hurtled down the stairs two at a time.
  2. breathlessout of breathI arrived breathless and red-faced.
Day 34

Quarrels and bullies

One idiom
  1. stand up for yourselfdefend yourselfI finally stood up for myself.
Two describing words
  1. shovedpushed roughlyHe shoved past me without a word.
  2. corneredtrapped with nowhere to goThey cornered him near the stairwell.
Day 35

Helping and rescue

One idiom
  1. come to the rescuearrive to helpA stranger came to our rescue.
Two describing words
  1. kneltwent down on the kneesI knelt beside the crying child.
  2. hoistedlifted with effortTwo men hoisted the trolley upright.
Day 36

Chasing and escaping

One idiom
  1. a wild goose chasea pointless searchIt turned into a wild goose chase.
Two describing words
  1. pursuedfollowed in order to catchWe pursued the runaway trolley across the car park.
  2. dodgedmoved quickly to avoidHe dodged between the tables.
Day 37

Breaking and spoiling things

One idiom
  1. in piecesbroken apartThe bowl lay in pieces on the floor.
Two describing words
  1. shatteredbroke into many piecesThe glass shattered on the tiles.
  2. splinteredbroke into sharp sliversThe ruler splintered in his hand.
Day 38

Getting caught and owning up

One idiom
  1. own upadmit what you didIn the end I owned up.
Two describing words
  1. confessedadmitted openlyI confessed before anyone even asked.
  2. squirmedwriggled uncomfortablyI squirmed under his gaze.
Day 39

Illness and hospital

One idiom
  1. under the weatherslightly unwellI felt under the weather all morning.
Two describing words
  1. feverishhot with feverHer forehead was feverish.
  2. queasysick in the stomachThe smell made me queasy.
Day 40

Fire and danger

One idiom
  1. play with firetake a dangerous riskCycling there was playing with fire.
Two describing words
  1. billowedrolled outwards in cloudsSmoke billowed from the window.
  2. scorchedburnt on the surfaceThe wall was scorched black.

Character and values

Days 41–50

The themes P4 papers keep returning to. Pairs with Week 18 — the theme cupboard she cooks from in the exam.

Day 41

Hard work

One idiom
  1. no pain, no gaineffort is needed for reward“No pain, no gain,” Coach reminded us.
Two describing words
  1. diligentcareful and hard-workingShe was the most diligent pupil in the row.
  2. painstakingdone with great careIt was slow, painstaking work.
Day 42

Giving up, or not

One idiom
  1. throw in the towelgive upI almost threw in the towel.
Two describing words
  1. perseveredkept going despite difficultyShe persevered through three failed attempts.
  2. stubbornrefusing to change your mindI was stubborn about finishing it alone.
Day 43

Honesty and lying

One idiom
  1. honesty is the best policytelling the truth is always bestHonesty is the best policy, as Father says.
Two describing words
  1. truthfultelling the truthA truthful answer took two seconds and saved a week.
  2. sinceregenuine and honestHer apology was sincere.
Day 44

Courage

One idiom
  1. pluck up the couragegather your braveryI plucked up the courage to speak.
Two describing words
  1. fearlesswithout fearA fearless little girl led the way.
  2. boldconfident and daringIt was a bold decision.
Day 45

Kindness

One idiom
  1. it is the thought that countsthe intention matters mostIt was a small gift, but it is the thought that counts.
Two describing words
  1. compassionatefeeling for others’ sufferingA compassionate neighbour brought soup.
  2. consideratethinking of other peopleIt was considerate of him to wait.
Day 46

Teamwork

One idiom
  1. pull togetherwork as oneThe class pulled together at last.
Two describing words
  1. unitedjoined as oneA united team is hard to beat.
  2. cooperatedworked together willinglyThe two groups cooperated at last.
Day 47

Responsibility

One idiom
  1. stand on your own two feetbe independentI learnt to stand on my own two feet.
Two describing words
  1. dependablecan always be relied onShe is the most dependable monitor we have had.
  2. accountableanswerable for your actionsHe held himself accountable.
Day 48

Jealousy and greed

One idiom
  1. green with envyvery jealousI was green with envy.
Two describing words
  1. enviouswanting what others haveI stole an envious glance at her new bag.
  2. greedywanting far too muchA greedy handful spilled onto the floor.
Day 49

Forgiveness and making up

One idiom
  1. turn over a new leafstart behaving betterHe turned over a new leaf that term.
Two describing words
  1. apologeticshowing that you are sorryAn apologetic note was folded on my desk.
  2. remorsefuldeeply sorryHe looked genuinely remorseful.
Day 50

Gratitude

One idiom
  1. count your blessingsappreciate what you have“Count your blessings,” Grandmother says.
Two describing words
  1. gratefulthankfulI was quietly grateful.
  2. indebtedowing thanks to someoneWe remain indebted to that stranger.

Story craft

Days 51–60

The joins and the finish: time words, sounds, light, speed, endings. These are the words that hold a composition together.

Day 51

Time and sequence

One idiom
  1. in the blink of an eyeinstantlyIn the blink of an eye it was over.
Two describing words
  1. moments latera short time afterwardsMoments later, the door swung open.
  2. by the timewhen something finally happenedBy the time we arrived, the gate was locked.
Day 52

Sounds

One idiom
  1. music to my earsvery welcome newsThe word “cancelled” was music to my ears.
Two describing words
  1. thuddedmade a dull heavy soundSomething thudded on the floor above us.
  2. hissedmade a sharp escaping soundSteam hissed from the pot.
Day 53

Smells and tastes

One idiom
  1. leave a bad taste in your mouthleave a bad feeling behindThe argument left a bad taste in my mouth.
Two describing words
  1. pungentstrong and sharp, of a smellA pungent smell of durian filled the lift.
  2. savourysalty and full of flavourA savoury steam rose from the bowl.
Day 54

Light and dark

One idiom
  1. see the lightfinally understandAt last I saw the light.
Two describing words
  1. gleamingshining brightlyGleaming trophies lined the shelf.
  2. flickeredshone unsteadilyThe lamp flickered twice and died.
Day 55

Speed, fast and slow

One idiom
  1. like lightningextremely fastHe was off like lightning.
Two describing words
  1. zippedmoved quickly pastA scooter zipped past the void deck.
  2. dawdledmoved slowly, wasting timeWe dawdled on the way home.
Day 56

Silence and stillness

One idiom
  1. give someone the silent treatmentrefuse to speak to themShe gave me the silent treatment for two days.
Two describing words
  1. motionlesscompletely stillThe cat sat motionless on the ledge.
  2. eeriestrange and unsettlingAn eerie stillness hung over the field.
Day 57

Beginnings

One idiom
  1. a fresh starta new beginningJanuary felt like a fresh start.
Two describing words
  1. dawnedbegan, of a dayA new week dawned, grey and wet.
  2. embarkedset out on somethingWe embarked on the longest walk of my life.
Day 58

Endings and lessons

One idiom
  1. all’s well that ends wella good ending makes up for the troubleAll’s well that ends well.
Two describing words
  1. realisedcame to understandI realised, walking home, what she had meant.
  2. lingeredstayed on afterwardsThe smell of smoke lingered for days.
Day 59

Thinking and deciding

One idiom
  1. on second thoughtsafter reconsideringOn second thoughts, I turned back.
Two describing words
  1. ponderedthought about carefullyI pondered the choice all the way home.
  2. waveredbecame unsureMy resolve wavered at the door.
Day 60

The last ten

One idiom
  1. a blessing in disguisea bad thing that turns out wellThe delay was a blessing in disguise.
Two describing words
  1. unforgettableimpossible to forgetIt was an unforgettable afternoon.
  2. bewilderedcompletely confusedI stood bewildered in the corridor.
01

Test yourself

Flashcards, or multiple choice to make it a game. It only asks about the days you have ticked off — no point being tested on words you have not met yet.

Ready when she is

Ten questions, drawn from whichever days are ticked off above.

02

Sticker shelf

Fourteen badges. You do not get any of them for ticking a box — they come from writing stories, reading books, and using a new word in one of your own stories.