Classified Reading: Definitions in Three Stages
Materials:
Definition booklets organized by classification with the picture on the left and the definition on the right. Defined nomenclature is highlighted in red as well as the part of the image being defined.
Definitions in Three Stages Cards: For each classification a second set of picture cards for the classification, and the corresponding definitions as follows:
Stage 1: The definitions complete with word defined in red.
Stage 2: The definitions complete, but now the word defined in red cut out separately.
Stage 3: The definition cut into separate phrases. The word defined in red is also separated.
Purposes:
Reading exercises to introduce the child to the written form for the vocabulary they already know from the Enrichment of Vocabulary exercises.
To help the child in their classification of the environment.
Preparation for further studies.
Practice in Reading.
Age: 4 ½ and up.
Preparation:
The child knows the related vocabulary from experience with the Enrichment of Vocabulary exercises.
The child will have worked with the corresponding 3-Part Cards.
Presentation:
Presentation 1: The Definition Booklet
Invite the child to read the definition book with you.
Have them take it to a table and sit while the child reads the cover and each page. You are there to help with difficult words, but that is all.
When they are done, invite them to read it as many times as they like or to get a different one to read.
Presentation 2: Stage 1-The Complete Definition
Invite the child to lay a rug vertically.
Have the child bring the booklet and the packet of cards to the rug.
Ask the child to lay the picture cards vertically down the left side of the rug. Make a second column if necessary.
Lay the definitions upside down, select one and place it next to the first picture at the top of the rug. Or alternately, the child will read the definition and place it next to the picture they feel it belongs with.
When they are complete show how to check the work with the booklet.
Open the book to the page that matches the first picture card. Have the child read the card on the rug and then the definition on the page.
If they match move the book down to the next picture, find it in the book, read the card, and then the book.
If the definition is placed in the wrong place, the child will move to the side and make the correction after the rest are verified.
Encourage repetition.
The child can work with any cards that she had read the booklet for.
Presentation 3: Stage 2- The Name Separated from the Definition
Set up as in Presentation 2 but use the second set of definitions.
Turn over the labels and definition cards so they are upside down.
Ask the child to place the name label to the right of its corresponding image.
Turn over a definition card and place it below the name label at the first picture cards. Have the child read the label and then the definition and let the child determine if it correct. If it is, leave it there, if not, move the definition card down to the next picture and repeat.
Check the work the same way as before.
When they are done, invite them to mix the cards and repeat or try another set.
Presentation 4: Stage 3- The Definition Cut into Parts
Set up as in Presentation 2 but use the third set of definitions.
Ask the child to place the name label to the right of its corresponding image.
Separate out the definitions into part one and part two. Lay part one vertically along the right side of the rug and the second part of the definitions below.
Take the first part one definition and place it under the first name label.
Have the child read the name and then the first part of the definition. If it does not go together, move it back to the right.
Take the next definition and repeat until the child finds the first part of the definition that matched the first picture card.
Repeat the process with the second part of the definitions. If the child does not have a match after reading the name, part one and two, it is returned to the right.
Continue until the correct definition is found.
When the match is found, turn the definitions on the right side of the rug upside down and repeat.
They will check their work in the same way as before.
Invite the child to mix the cards and repeat or try another set.
Show the child the trick to separating out the definitions. All the definitions that are the first part start with a lowercase letter. The second part of the definitions starts with a capital letter. If the definition is a single sentence, then tell the child the second definition will end in a period.
Control of Error:
The definition booklet.
Following Exercises: None
Pedagogical Notes:
Try to keep three sets on the shelf and rotate them. A good idea might to have one botany, one zoology, land and water forms or another variety.
You can make definition materials to align with the interests of the children. Examples: Parts of the Car, Parts of the Computer, Part of the Castle