Enrichment of Vocabulary: Classified Pictures 

Materials:

• Collections of pictures dealing with: 

1. The social, cultural, or scientific environment. Each card in these sets is a different picture within a particular classification.  (note: these refer to types of . . .)

2. Illustrations of geographical, geometrical, biological, and scientific terms.  Each picture is the same object with a different part highlighted. (note: these refer to parts of . . .)

Purposes:

• To enlarge the vocabulary 

• To help in the classification of the environment

• Indirect preparation for further studies

• Preparation for reading classification

Age: 2 ½ and up

Preparation: None

Presentation: 

• Invite the child for the lesson on Classified Cards, show how to carry them, return them to the shelf and invite the child to bring them to the table.

• Flip through the cards to see which the child recognizes and which they do not.

• Set the cards to the side that the child does not know.

• Select three of the cards the child does not know.

• Introduce the names one at a time.

• Offer a three-period lesson.

Control of Error: None

Following Exercise: 

• Two Classifications: Combine two classification sets the child is familiar with. Invite the child to sort them out.  

• Verbal Classifications Game: Gather a group and name a classification.  Each child takes a turn naming an example of the classification. Example: naming vegetables “We are going to name vegetables! What’s a name of a vegetable Shana?”  

Pedagogical Notes:

• This work supports the child in building and refining classifications. 

• Always offer broader classifications before more refined groups of classifications.  This is why we do “kinds of” nomenclature first, then the “parts of”.  Example-kinds of birds then parts of the bird.

• Aim to have 5-6 different sets of classified cards out on the shelf and rotate them at least monthly.  Ideally, you will need 60-75 sets of cards with no more than 10 examples in each set.  

• Collections of objects can be used in the same way. Baskets of objects like whales, frogs, fruits, and clothing (doll-sized). 

• If the group, or even an individual, shows an interest in something, you should create an exercise for them. Example: different kitchen tools, different types of boats, or race cars.  

• These cards prepare the child for Classified Reading Three Part Cards as well as the Definitions in Three Stages.