Lesson Plan
Vocabulary Quest Lesson Plan
When given a list of 10 second grade and third-grade vocabulary words, students will correctly define each word verbally with 80% accuracy, and use the word in a verbal sentence in context, in 4 out of 5 opportunities, measured quarterly.
Expanding vocabulary is crucial for improved reading comprehension, stronger written expression, and more effective verbal communication across all subjects and daily interactions. This lesson provides foundational skills that empower students to better understand and express themselves.
Audience
3rd Grade, Enhanced Autism Classroom
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction, visual aids, guided practice, and independent application.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Vocabulary Quest Lesson Plan and familiarise yourself with the lesson flow.
- Review the Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck and practice presenting each word, definition, and example sentence.
- Print one copy of the Vocabulary Worksheet for each student.
- Have the Vocabulary Worksheet Answer Key readily available for quick checking.
- Ensure projector or interactive whiteboard is set up and ready to display the Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck.
Step 1
Introduction: What's a New Word?
2 minutes
- Greet students and briefly introduce the topic of learning new words.
- Ask students: "Have you ever heard a word and wondered what it meant? Today, we're going on a 'Vocabulary Quest' to discover some exciting new words!"
- Explain the objective: "We'll learn 10 new words, understand what they mean, and practice using them in sentences, just like word detectives!"
Step 2
Vocabulary Presentation & Discussion
5 minutes
- Display the Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck.
- For each vocabulary word:
- Show the word clearly.
- Read the word aloud.
- Present a simple, clear definition.
- Show and read an example sentence.
- Ask students if they have heard the word before or if they can think of another way to use it.
- Provide positive reinforcement for participation.
- Focus on clear, consistent delivery for each word.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Define and Use
5 minutes
- Revisit each word briefly from the Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck.
- Call on individual students (or pairs) to verbally define a word in their own words.
- Then, ask them to use the word in a new sentence.
- Provide prompts and support as needed (e.g., "What did we say 'brave' means? Can you use 'brave' to describe someone you know?").
- Offer immediate, positive feedback and gentle corrections.
- Encourage peer support if appropriate for your classroom context.
Step 4
Independent Practice: Worksheet Time!
3 minutes
- Distribute the Vocabulary Worksheet.
- Explain that students will write down definitions and create their own sentences for a few of the words we just learned.
- Circulate around the room, offering individual support and encouragement.
- Remind students to do their best and use their memory from the slides and discussion.
- Collect worksheets at the end of the activity.
Slide Deck
Welcome to Your Vocabulary Quest!
Get ready to discover new words and become a word master!
Welcome students and introduce the idea of learning new words. Set an exciting tone for the 'quest.'
Word 1: Curious
Definition:
Wanting to know or learn about something.
Example Sentence:
The curious cat peeked inside the box.
Introduce the first word. Read it aloud, then the definition, and finally the sentence. Emphasize what 'curious' means.
Word 2: Brave
Definition:
Ready to face danger or pain; showing courage.
Example Sentence:
The brave knight rescued the princess.
Introduce 'brave.' Discuss what it means to be brave and maybe ask for examples.
Word 3: Joyful
Definition:
Feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness.
Example Sentence:
She felt joyful when she played with her friends.
Discuss 'joyful.' Connect it to feelings of happiness.
Word 4: Enormous
Definition:
Very large in size, quantity, or extent.
Example Sentence:
The elephant was an enormous animal.
Explain 'enormous.' Use hand gestures to show how big 'enormous' is.
Word 5: Whisper
Definition:
To speak very softly using one's breath rather than one's vocal cords.
Example Sentence:
They had to whisper a secret so no one would hear.
Talk about 'whisper.' Practice whispering the word and a short sentence.
Word 6: Kind
Definition:
Having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.
Example Sentence:
It was kind of him to share his toys.
Discuss 'kind.' Give examples of kind actions.
Word 7: Explore
Definition:
To travel in or through (an unfamiliar country or area) in order to learn about it.
Example Sentence:
We love to explore new places in the park.
Explain 'explore.' Ask students about places they like to explore.
Word 8: Shy
Definition:
Being reserved or showing nervousness or timidity in the company of other people.
Example Sentence:
The shy puppy hid behind its owner.
Discuss 'shy.' How does someone act if they are shy?
Word 9: Sparkle
Definition:
To shine brightly with flashes of light.
Example Sentence:
The stars sparkle in the night sky.
Introduce 'sparkle.' Ask what things sparkle.
Word 10: Gentle
Definition:
Having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character.
Example Sentence:
He used a gentle hand to pet the rabbit.
Discuss 'gentle.' Connect it to being kind or careful.
You Are Word Masters!
Great job today! You learned so many new words!
Keep practicing your new vocabulary!
Remind students of their great work and the skills they've learned.
Script
Vocabulary Quest: Teacher's Script
Introduction: What's a New Word? (2 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure called a 'Vocabulary Quest!' Who can tell me what a quest is?"
Teacher: (Wait for student responses, affirm them). "That's right! A quest is a journey or a search. And today, our quest is to find and understand new words! Have you ever heard a word and wondered what it meant?"
Teacher: "Learning new words helps us understand books better, express our ideas, and even talk about our feelings. Our goal today is to learn 10 new words, understand what they mean, and practice using them in sentences, just like word detectives! Are you ready?" (Encourage a positive response).
Vocabulary Presentation & Discussion (5 minutes)
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 1: Welcome to Your Vocabulary Quest!)
Teacher: "Let's start our quest! We're going to look at one word at a time."
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 2: Word 1: Curious)
Teacher: "Our first word is Curious. Can you all say 'curious'?" (Pause for students to repeat). "Curious means wanting to know or learn about something. Like when you want to know what's inside a wrapped present!"
Teacher: "Let's look at our example sentence: 'The curious cat peeked inside the box.' What did the cat want to do?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 3: Word 2: Brave)
Teacher: "Next up is Brave. Say 'brave' with me." (Pause for students to repeat). "Brave means ready to face danger or pain; showing courage. Like a superhero facing a challenge!"
Teacher: "Our example: 'The brave knight rescued the princess.' Who was brave in this sentence?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 4: Word 3: Joyful)
Teacher: "Our third word is Joyful. Everyone, 'joyful'!" (Pause for students to repeat). "Joyful means feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness. It's like feeling super happy!"
Teacher: "Example sentence: 'She felt joyful when she played with her friends.' When do you feel joyful?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 5: Word 4: Enormous)
Teacher: "Word number four is Enormous. Can you say 'enormous'?" (Pause for students to repeat). "Enormous means very large in size. Think of a giant!"
Teacher: "Our sentence: 'The elephant was an enormous animal.' Can you name something else that is enormous?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 6: Word 5: Whisper)
Teacher: "Halfway there! This word is Whisper. Let's whisper 'whisper'." (Demonstrate and pause for students to repeat softly). "To whisper means to speak very softly, using your breath, not your loud voice. It's how you tell a secret!"
Teacher: "Example: 'They had to whisper a secret so no one would hear.' What might you whisper about?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 7: Word 6: Kind)
Teacher: "Our sixth word is Kind. Say 'kind'." (Pause for students to repeat). "Kind means having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature. It means being nice and thoughtful to others."
Teacher: "Sentence: 'It was kind of him to share his toys.' What is a kind thing you did recently?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 8: Word 7: Explore)
Teacher: "Next is Explore. Say 'explore'." (Pause for students to repeat). "To explore means to travel in or through an unfamiliar area to learn about it. Like discovering a new path in the woods!"
Teacher: "Example: 'We love to explore new places in the park.' Where would you like to explore?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 9: Word 8: Shy)
Teacher: "Word number eight: Shy. Say 'shy'." (Pause for students to repeat). "Shy means being reserved or showing nervousness around other people. Sometimes people feel shy when they meet someone new."
Teacher: "Our sentence: 'The shy puppy hid behind its owner.' What does a shy person or animal do?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 10: Word 9: Sparkle)
Teacher: "Almost done with our new words! This one is Sparkle. Say 'sparkle'." (Pause for students to repeat). "To sparkle means to shine brightly with flashes of light, like glitter or diamonds!"
Teacher: "Example: 'The stars sparkle in the night sky.' What other things sparkle?"
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 11: Word 10: Gentle)
Teacher: "Our last word for today is Gentle. Say 'gentle'." (Pause for students to repeat). "Gentle means having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character. It's about being soft and careful."
Teacher: "Sentence: 'He used a gentle hand to pet the rabbit.' How do you show you are gentle?"
Guided Practice: Define and Use (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Fantastic job listening, word detectives! Now, it's your turn to show me what you've learned. We're going to practice defining these words and using them in sentences. I'll say a word, and I want you to tell me what it means and then use it in a new sentence."
"Let's start with Curious. Who can tell me what curious means and use it in a sentence?"
Teacher: "Excellent! How about Brave? What does brave mean, and can you use it in a sentence?"
Teacher: "Wonderful! Next, Joyful. What does joyful mean, and give me a sentence."
Teacher: "Great answers! Let's try Enormous. What does enormous mean, and use it in a sentence."
Teacher: "You're doing so well! How about Whisper? What does whisper mean, and can you use it in a sentence?"
(Continue this for the remaining words, providing positive reinforcement and prompting as needed.)
Teacher: (After practicing all words) "You are all becoming amazing word masters! I heard so many great definitions and creative sentences!"
Independent Practice: Worksheet Time! (3 minutes)
Teacher: "Now it's time for you to show what you know on your own! I'm going to hand out a worksheet. On this sheet, you'll see some of the words we just learned. For each word, I want you to write its definition and then write your own sentence using the word."
"Remember, do your best! Think about the slides and our discussions. If you get stuck, try to remember the example sentences we used. I'll be walking around if you need a little help."
(Distribute the Vocabulary Worksheet. Circulate, assist, and encourage students.)
Teacher: "Okay, everyone, please finish up the word you are on. We're going to collect these now." (Collect worksheets.)
Cool-Down/Wrap-Up (Optional - if time allows)
(Display Vocabulary Quest Slide Deck - Slide 12: You Are Word Masters!)
Teacher: "You all did a fantastic job on your Vocabulary Quest today! You learned so many new words and practiced using them. Learning new words helps your brain grow stronger and makes you a better reader and speaker! Keep practicing your new vocabulary, and look for these words in your books!"
Worksheet
Vocabulary Quest Worksheet
Name: ________________________
Instructions: Read each word. Write its definition in your own words. Then, write a sentence using the word. Do your best to remember what we discussed!
1. Curious
Definition:
My Sentence:
2. Brave
Definition:
My Sentence:
3. Enormous
Definition:
My Sentence:
4. Kind
Definition:
My Sentence:
5. Sparkle
Definition:
My Sentence:
Answer Key
Vocabulary Quest Worksheet Answer Key
This answer key provides definitions and example sentences for the Vocabulary Worksheet. Definitions can vary slightly, but should capture the core meaning. Sentences should demonstrate correct usage of the word in context.
1. Curious
Definition: Wanting to know or learn about something.
Example Sentence: The curious child asked many questions about how the toy worked.
2. Brave
Definition: Ready to face danger or pain; showing courage.
Example Sentence: It was brave of him to try the new, challenging sport.
3. Enormous
Definition: Very large in size, quantity, or extent.
Example Sentence: The blue whale is an enormous creature of the ocean.
4. Kind
Definition: Having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.
Example Sentence: My teacher is very kind and always helps me when I need it.
5. Sparkle
Definition: To shine brightly with flashes of light.
Example Sentence: The fresh snow will sparkle in the sunlight.