Use Your Words! Whose Words? THE CHILD’S, YOURS AND OURS!
Our vocabulary strips — included with your subscription — are viable tools to the story, on their own or incorporated into the curriculum.
WHAT OUR VOCABULARY WORDS DO + HOW TO USE THEM:
Lesson 6. THESE ARE NOT JUST FLASHCARDS! You can cut them out, sort, copy, display, decorate objects, distribute individual sets, place on O-rings, enhance boards, etc.
❖ Vocabulary words develop the child’s appreciation for writing.
Each letter has its own name and sound. Have fun with the sounds of letters and words! Exaggerate the lips or throat (yours and theirs).
❖ They broaden their vocabulary.
Does a particular letter, or word look familiar? Can the child identify or name it? Where have they seen it before?
❖ They develop the child’s language skills.
Letters, put together, make words!
❖ Later, cut out the words and hole punch the words in each top, left corner. Attach all the included vocabulary cards on the enclosed O-ring for follow-up fun activities.
ADD DIMENSION TO THE PRINTED TEXT
Lesson 7. You can strengthen thinking and reasoning skills by applying the five senses. By providing manipulative objects (e.g., blocks, tiles, boards, everyday materials, etc.,) to create activities and games you give the printed text of the book a whole new dimension!
You can incorporate:
✓ Matching (visually with letter/words or auditorily with sounds)
✓ Discriminating (visually letters that are similar in print/writing, e.g., b/d, m/n, etc.)
✓ Association (opposites, synonyms, rhyming, go-togethers, e.g., shoe & sock, etc.)
✓ Figure Ground (identifying the letter/word within an array of actual objects or a busy picture)
✓ Visual Closure (partially cover the book or page and ask to name the object)
Vocabulary is the springboard for:
✓ Developing the child’s expressive & receptive language skills.
✓ Comprehending by retelling and discussing the story.
✓ Simulating memory.
✓ Motivating the child to read independently.
✓ Nurturing the child’s appreciation for writing.
✓ Empowering social-emotional growth.
✓ Broadening experiences in community/neighborhoods.
8. PLAY THE GAME: MUFFIN PAN VOCAB TOSS
Use the vocabulary flashcards and place them in the bottom of a muffin pan.
Have students line up or call them individually from their seats. Use a small ball (a hacky-sack would work best) and have the first student toss it into the muffin pan.
When the student retrieves the ball from the pan, have that student read the word that the ball landed on.
You can keep the same word for future tosses, or replace it with a new vocabulary word!
VOCABULARY CHART: Giraffes Can’t Dance
*Indicates the words are part of the Dolch Sight Word List (Pre-Primer, Primer, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Grade)
Ready to Make a Giraffes Can’t Dance CRAFT? Click HERE
