by Rachel Nati Having a large vocabulary will help children increase both their oral language and writing abilities. However, some words can be hard to explain and even harder for children to understand. By using their five senses through an activity known as a “sensory bin,” children can gain a deeper understanding of these difficult words and concepts.
As you can see in this video on the Global Literacy Channel, I am modeling how to use a sensory bin to help children increase their vocabulary through play. A small clear box was used as the bin. The theme was birds, so items were added to the bin - nests, birds, eggs, sticks, moss, flowers, and a birdhouse. Textures are a very important part of the sensory bin. Adding various textures entices children to play and encourages them to describe what is in the box. Parents and teachers can also ask questions regarding the description of an item in the box to help the children learn new vocabulary. This type of activity is great for younger children, children with disabilities, children with sensory issues and children who learn best by using their senses. This bird sensory bin encourages dramatic play while increasing vocabulary. While children are playing and using their imagination, they can describe what is happening. For example, I describe a bird that is sitting on the eggs waiting for them to hatch or singing and chirping on a branch while waiting for other birds to join in. Choose any theme you’d like to create a fun, playful, sensory-based experience to increase your child’s word power!
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by Bryanna Hill Students want to be engaged in their learning, and what better way to actively involve them than by having them use their five fingers to retell a story! A child’s five fingers can represent the character, setting, problem, plot, and solution of a story, and the palm of their hand can represent the theme. A great way to help students remember the five finger summarizing strategy is by using a glove, and taping these categories onto the different parts of the glove. Students can put the glove on and practice retelling the story to a friend.
The five fingers can also represent the five W’s: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. Students can use the five W’s to help them answer these questions about a story as well as help them with writing about the five W’s. Whenever students need to think of something to write about, they can look at their hand and recall that each finger represents one of the five W’s. Whether you’re trying to help your young learner summarize a story or write one, the five fingers are a fun and interactive way to get them learning and engaged. This is a strategy that they can carry with them throughout their many years of learning! To learn more about this strategy and others, visit the Global Literacy Channel. Literacy and Music: Pedagogical Parallels |
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