The fifth graders are really loving vocabulary lately in part due to Tara Lazar’s amazing book, Absurd Words. C. is convinced I took the book home and memorized it because I know so many of the words already (I assure her it is just that I am old and have read lots, but not that book-yet!). At the end of our reading group time whenever we have time we go through a few of the words and come up with situations where we can use the words. Then they try all day to try to slip the new words into the conversation.
Did you know there is a word for a nose picker (rhinotillexis), people who are bad poets (poetaster or rhymester), and so many other just right words to engage these budding word nerds? Tara’s book is so inviting and her example sentences really add depth to understanding.
This week I was thrilled to see Amanda Gorman was introducing a “word of the day” segment on Sesame Street, so of course, had to share it with the fifth graders- who loved it as much as I did! They may pretend to be too old for Sesame Street, but I know better! It gave us the idea that they could create their own videos for words they think every fifth grader should know and use. So that is on deck for next week. It will be the start of a great video collection and a perfect follow-on to the presentation skills they have been working on with our tech integrator. Fifth graders are so much fun.
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Ms. Victor Reads 
That is genius! You are finding ways to make vocabulary fun and exciting. I’m going to share this idea with others. Thank you!
I would have loved this form of word study in 5th grade. Your students are so lucky.