Mobile Learning Activity
- Background
- Content Area: English Language Arts/Writing
- Title: Vocabulary Building with an emphasis on Adjectives
- Pre Planning
- Big Idea(s): Many First Grade students need to build their vocabulary. This lesson focuses on building vocabulary for language acquisition to use in speaking and writing with an emphasis on adjectives. It is also important to note that due to the age and experience of First Grade students, exploration time is needed to allow the kids to spend time on the apps. This time to explore the apps freely will minimize the desire to navigate away from the task at hand. I also think, due to the age of the students, this is not a lesson that can be accomplished in one or two days. I would allow for at least 4 or 5 days to complete this lesson in its entirety.
- Essential Questions:
- What is an adjective?
- When do you use an adjective?
- Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify what an adjective is.
- Students will be able to increase their vocabulary in speaking and writing.
- Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.F
Use frequently occurring adjectives. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.4.A
Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.5.D
Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and adjectives differing in intensity (e.g., large, gigantic) by defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.F
- Summative Assessment:
- Materials Needed:
- Document Camera
- Class set of iPads
- iPads need the following apps downloaded:
- Opening
- Hook: To begin this lesson split the class in half. Open the Bluster app and choose the adjective topic. Using one iPad, display it under a document camera so the whole class can see it and play together. Once the class has the hang of it, you can partner the students up and have them play against each other. There's nothing better than using a game, on an iPad, to hook an audience of First Grade students.
- Body
- Explanation: The students will begin this part of the lesson using the LingoKids app. Have students begin by spending time on the LingoKids app freely. This app offers a fun and exciting way to learn over 3,000 words including adjectives. After the students have been given time to explore the app freely, have the students start the lessons specifically for adjectives.
- Check for Understanding: The students will use the Adjectives Fun Deck app. By using the Adjectives Fun Deck app, students can choose adjectives that match the picture. This app is great because students can either read the sentence or have it read to them. That is important in First Grade since some students aren't fluent readers yet. It also tracks student responses for an unlimited number of students.
- Extended Practice: The students will spend time using the Speech with Milo - Adjectives app. With the Speech with Milo - Adjectives app, students are able to get more practice by combining visual and auditory input. The written adjective is displayed at the bottom which also reinforces reading skills. This app also has a phrase button which allows the student to listen to a sentence that uses the adjective. Another app that provides practice is the Comparative Adjectives app. There are over 350 examples using clear pictures about comparative adjectives. This app provides a great way to practice answering questions that use adjectives.
- Closing
- Lesson Closing: At the completion of this lesson, students will work in groups to create a poster using Glogster. Each poster should include the definition of what an adjective is and some examples of when to use them. The teacher will also assign each group a noun or two to include on their poster. The groups will then come up with several adjectives to describe the noun. Once posters are completed, each group will share their poster with the class. For an alternative or additional activity, students can use the Pixie app and draw a picture of themselves. Then students can label their self portrait using adjectives to describe themselves. These can be printed and displayed.