My world of words: Building vocabulary lists
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=53
A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts
In this lesson, students are engaged in a vocabulary search based on their areas of interest. The lesson begins with the teacher discussing how words are everywhere—online or in magazines, newspapers, books, letters, and conversations. Then, students participate in an online word search through National Geographic Explorer or another web resource the teacher selects. In small groups, students discuss their findings and suggest words that relate to the their classmates’ interests. Over a few days, students search for unknown words that interest them and complete a graphic organizer using the words. Students discuss their words in small groups and then research those words using reference materials such as a dictionary, thesaurus, and an encyclopedia. Students create “My world of words” journals by writing a definition and illustrating the words. Students then share their journals with the class. Readwritethink provides links to online reference materials, extension activities, and assessment options.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
- Objective 1.04: Increase sight vocabulary, reading vocabulary, and writing vocabulary through:
- wide reading.
- word study.
- listening.
- discussion.
- book talks.
- book clubs.
- seminars.
- viewing.
- role play.
- studying author's craft.
- Objective 1.05: Use word reference materials (e.g., dictionary, glossary) to confirm decoding skills, verify spelling, and extend meanings of words.
- Objective 1.04: Increase sight vocabulary, reading vocabulary, and writing vocabulary through:
Grade 4
- Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
- Objective 1.04: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
- wide reading.
- word study.
- knowledge of homophones, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms.
- knowledge of multiple meanings of words.
- writing process elements.
- writing as a tool for learning.
- seminars.
- book clubs.
- discussions.
- examining the author's craft.
- Objective 1.05: Use word reference materials (e.g., glossary, dictionary, thesaurus) to identify and comprehend unknown words.
- Objective 1.04: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
Grade 5
- Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
- Objective 1.03: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
- wide reading.
- word study.
- word reference materials.
- content area study.
- writing process elements.
- writing as a tool.
- debate.
- discussions.
- seminars.
- examining the author's craft.
- Objective 1.04: Use word reference materials (e.g., glossary, dictionary, thesaurus, on-line reference tools) to identify and comprehend unknown words.
- Objective 1.03: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
