Type: Individual and Whole Group Exercise

Title: Capturing Lost Words!

Learning Objectives: The student will:

• Read and explore the vocabulary of the world of nature
• Learn to use context clues to determine the meaning of new vocabulary words
• Share unique 'lost word' stories with peers and plan for further learning

Description:

This activity involves students identifying unfamiliar words and listing them out to create a nature word worksheet. Students will build their word list individually and together as a group. This activity is meant to cover multiple subject areas and could continue synchronously throughout the school session. Students should be encouraged to add words regularly and time should be allowed for in depth discussion as time permits. Encourage sensory observations and have students engage with and ask any questions about the wonderful world of nature.

Materials:

• Individual copies of The Keeper of the Wild Words and Spring After Spring texts.
• Paper, notebooks or journals, and display area for common postings of words.
• One or more dictionaries, for classroom use and word discovery support.

Direct Instruction:

1. The Librarian and/or educator will read both texts aloud to students.  Group discussion will follow to explore themes, share experiences, and talk about the power of words and observations.
2. In small groups or individually, students will record "the lost words" and attempt to decipher their meanings using context clues from the text and other background knowledge they or other students may have or share.
3. Particular encouragement should be given for making sensory observations. Have students talk about how words describe and convey meaning with the five senses. Using the Spring after Spring text in particular, connect the importance of sensory observation with the environment and current life experiences.

Guided and Independent Practice:

Topics on nature are endless and the words surrounding the various areas such as botany, biology, and meteorology, to name a few can build and strengthen vocabulary and comprehension. This limitless variety can spark the curiosity of students who may choose further observation and exploration on environmental topics. Connecting to the local environment will deepen the knowledge building of the student's own, observable natural world.

Sharing/Reflection/Closing:

This activity is a great way to build skills in using context clues and other resources to identify the meanings of new words and grow their vocabularies. As part of a larger curriculum about nature and eco literacy, this activity is a wonderfully engaging introduction to using the senses in our everyday life to explore, observe and learn. Picture book biographies are an engaging way to connect young students with real people who made a difference in the world. The theme of social change is also present and timely in these texts, and can supplement learning in other areas of the curriculum.