3, 2, 1...Blast off! Vocabulary instruction using a virtual trip to the moon

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 2

• Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.06: Recall main ideas, facts and details from a text.
• Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
  • Objective 3.04: Increase oral and written vocabulary by listening, discussing, and composing texts when responding to literature that is read and heard. (e.g., read aloud by teacher, literature circles, interest groups, book clubs).
• Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
  • Objective 4.09: Use media and technology to enhance the presentation of information to an audience for a specific purpose.
• Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
  • Objective 5.01: Spell correctly using:
    • previously studied words.
    • spelling patterns.
    • analysis of sounds to represent all the sounds in a word in one's own writing.
  • Objective 5.02: Attend to spelling, mechanics, and format for final products in one's own writing.
  • Objective 5.07: Use legible manuscript handwriting.

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.
• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, or viewing by:
    • setting a purpose.
    • previewing the text.
    • making predictions.
    • asking questions.
    • locating information for specific purposes.
    • making connections.
    • using story structure and text organization to comprehend.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
    • fiction (short stories, novels, fantasies, fairy tales, fables).
    • nonfiction (biographies, letters, articles, procedures and instructions, charts, maps).
    • poetry (proverbs, riddles, limericks, simple poems).
    • drama (skits, plays).
  • Objective 2.08: Listen actively by:
    • facing the speaker.
    • making eye contact.
    • asking questions to clarify the message.
    • asking questions to gain additional information and ideas.
• Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
  • Objective 3.06: Conduct research for assigned and self-selected projects (with assistance) from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).
• Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
  • Objective 4.02: Use oral and written language to:
    • present information in a sequenced, logical manner.
    • discuss.
    • sustain conversation on a topic.
    • share information and ideas.
    • recount or narrate.
    • answer open-ended questions.
    • report information on a topic.
    • explain own learning.
  • Objective 4.03: Share written and oral products in a variety of ways (e.g., author's chair, book making, publications, discussions, presentations).
  • Objective 4.10: Explore technology as a tool to create a written product.
• Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
  • Objective 5.06: Proofread own writing for spelling and correct most misspellings independently with reference to resources (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, word walls).
  • Objective 5.07: Edit (with assistance) to use conventions of written language and format.
  • Objective 5.08: Create readable documents with legible handwriting (manuscript and cursive).

Science (2005)

Grade 3

• Goal 3: The learner will make observations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of the earth/moon/sun system.
  • Objective 3.04: Use appropriate tools to make observations of the moon.
  • Objective 3.05: Observe and record the change in the apparent shape of the moon from day to day over several months and describe the pattern of changes.