Books such as Zathura and Jumanji use new vocabulary words that students can learn and hopefully use themselves. If the new words are connected with an activity or a lesson plan, this proves to be more beneficial, as it becomes useful information that children will apply in other areas.
Toddlers are learning new words every day! Strengthen this vocabulary acquisition by introducing them to new words and their meanings. Preschool students often enjoy learning new words and can benefit from the heightened awareness of new words. Chris Van Allsburg books contain some vocabulary words that can be fun and exciting for young children to learn.
Vocabulary words in Chris Van Allsburg books:
Vocabulary words found in Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg.
Rotate
Meteor
Reversed
Staggered
Vocabulary words found in Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg.
Peered
Erupt
Interrupt
Stampede
Vocabulary words found in The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
Bell
Conductor
Nightgown
Polar
Some sample ideas for vocabulary practice:
Simon Says:
Play the game as usual, but use vocabulary words (and/or their meanings) instead of “Simon says.”
Memory Match:
Provide cards with either pictures of vocabulary words or the written vocabulary words and play a memory match game.
Word of the Day:
Make a new vocabulary word the “word of the day.” When children use the word a set number of times in the day, the class gets a special prize.
Ask your students to teach you a new word!
Even if it is only new to them, encouraging them to teach it to another person deepens their understanding of the meaning of the word.