Study the word SOLUTION:
When you solve a problem, you find a way to fix it and make it better. When you solve a puzzle, a crime, or a mystery, you figure it out. So, a solution is a way to fix or figure out a problem. You can find or create a solution for any kind of problem or difficulty.
When the sink breaks, Bart solves that problem. He takes it apart, and removes a toy that had been jammed into the pipe. He found a good solution!
(Source)
This dog has a problem: his stick is too big, so he can't cross the bridge. What's his solution? He turns the stick sideways. That's a smart dog--and a smart solution.
Study the word DISTRACT:
To distract someone is to drag away their focus: to pull away their attention. When you're distracted, something has taken your focus and your attention away. You're trying to do one thing, but you get distracted by a different thing.
If something distracts you while you're working, you stop being focused on your work: you stop paying attention to your work. Distractions can make you waste time and make mistakes.
(Source)
You might be talking with someone, and then get distracted by a noise, a movement, or even a sudden thought. Something has taken your focus away from your conversation.
Study the word EXHAUSTED:
When something exhausts you, it uses up all of your energy, leaving you feeling very tired. And when you exhaust your supply of something, you use up every bit of it, and it's gone. To be exhausted is to be extremely worn-out, tired, or sleepy--or just very bored and very done with whatever you're doing.
George Michael feels so exhausted that he lies down on the floor. He really needs to rest! His energy is completely gone.
(Source)
If you've exhausted your supply of food, you don't have any food left at all. To exhaust something is to use all of it.
Study the word ARRIVAL:
To arrive is to get to the place you're going. Your arrival is the time when you get there. It's your entrance: the moment when you show up somewhere.
Below, these kids are excited for their arrival at the convention. They get there, and run inside.
(Source)
SpongeBob's arrival below is very cool! He shows up in a suit and sunglasses. His arrival surprises everyone.
Study the word ADJUST:
To adjust something is to change it a little bit so that it's better. You might adjust the straps of your backpack so that it sits more comfortably on your back. You could adjust the lighting in your room so that you can see better as you read or do homework. If you see a mistake on your math homework, you can adjust your answer to make it correct. You can even adjust your thinking, adjust your method, and adjust your attitude: you change them a bit to make them work better for you.
Some animals adjust the color of their bodies to match their surroundings.
(Source)
When you wear something new, you may need to adjust it to make it comfortable: scoot it around until it feels just right.
5. The word that means "the act of getting to where you're going" is...
...
arrival.
Beach Day!
Day 2: Understand
Let's understand how these words connect to our book!
Listen to each question, and decide which answer choice is correct. You can check your answer by clicking "Show Answer." If you make a mistake, don't worry! Just listen to the question again, then try again.
1. Remember: a solution is how you solve a problem. Solutions are ways to fix issues and make things better.
(Source) In our book, it's a sunny day, and the crocodile friends are sweaty and hot. They are miserable! How will they cool off? They come up with the perfect solution. What does this mean?
A) It means they'll go to the beach and swim in the cool water. They won't be hot anymore!
2. Remember: when you're busy trying to do something and something else distracts you, it grabs away your focus and makes you pay attention to it.
(Source) In our book, as the crocodile friends are traveling to the beach, they get distracted. What does this mean?
B) It means they see a park and start playing on the swings and the slides, totally forgetting about the beach!
3. Remember: if something exhausts you, it totally wears you out.
(Source) In our book, after playing hard at the park and chowing down on their picnic, the crocodiles are exhausted. What does this mean?
A) It means they are so tired that they lie down and take a long nap.
4. Remember: an arrival is when you get to the place you were going.
(Source)
In our book, the crocodile friends take a long time to get to the beach. Then, their arrival is much later than they wanted it to be. What does this mean?
B) It means that when they finally got to the beach, it was already dark.
5. Remember: when you adjust something, you make some changes to make it better. And when you adjust to a new situation, you make changes to how you think or what you do--and then the situation is better for you.
(Source)
In our book, when the crocodiles arrive at the beach past sundown, they're disappointed at first. They didn't want to be there at night! They wanted to be there during the day, to swim and play in the sun! But then, the crocodiles adjust to this situation. What does this mean?
A) It means they realize that even though things haven't gone their way, they can still have fun by swimming in the moonlight instead of the sunlight.
Finally, let's understand how these words can connect to other situations!
Listen as I describe each situation, and shout out the vocabulary word that comes to mind. You can check your answer by clicking "Show Answer." Remember, if you make a mistake, don't worry! Just listen again, then try again.
1. You've climbed into bed and read a story, and now you're ready for sleep. You turn off your reading lamp, and suddenly it's very dark in your room. At first, you can't see anything. It's pitch black. But slowly, your eyes get used to the darkness, and your vision changes. After a few moments, you start to see the shapes of your bed, your dresser, your window, and your door. It was a little scary for you in the dark, but then it got better once your eyes started working differently. There's a word that starts with A that describes what your eyes have been doing ever since the room went dark. What's the word?
adjusting
2. You've had an extremely busy morning. You and your friends woke up early, played football for an hour, jumped on a trampoline for another hour, and then played basketball for another hour. Now you'd like to play more, but you can't: your face is flushed and your arms and legs can barely move. There's a word that starts with E that describes how you feel. What's the word?
exhausted
3. You can't wait for your grandparents to get to your house this weekend. You haven't seen them in a long time, and you have so much to tell them and show them, and so many games you want to play with them. You keep peeking out your front window, waiting to see when they'll pull their car into your driveway. You'll be ready to run out and greet them with hugs. There's a word that starts with A that describes what you're excited about. What's the word?
arrival
4. You love soda, so you always pack a can of soda in your lunchbox. But your lunchbox gets jiggled around a lot, which increases the pressure on the bubbly liquid inside the can. And every time you open your soda, it explodes on you, staining your shirt with dark brown splotches. You decide to fix this problem. You think up a good way to fix it. Instead of taking soda in your lunch, you'll take juice instead, which doesn't explode no matter how much it gets jostled--and you'll have the soda later, at home. There's a word that starts with S that describes this idea you've come up with. What's the word?
solution
5. You're taking a math test at school, working carefully to calculate your answers. You're trying to keep your mind on your work, but you're really hungry, and your stomach is growling. You think longingly about how it will feel to bite into the delicious sandwich you've packed for lunch. The jelly will be so gooey and fruity. The peanut butter will be so rich and creamy. You look away from your paper, toward the clock on the wall, trying to figure out how long it will be before lunchtime. There's a word that starts with D that describes your hunger as you try to focus on your math test. What's the word?
distracting
Beach Day!
Day 3: Illustrate
Grab some index cards, or open Quizlet.com. It's time to illustrate some flash cards!
If you're using index cards, write your word on the front, and on the back, write the definition and draw a picture: something that'll help you understand what the word means. If you're using Quizlet, simply add your words and definitions to your set, and choose any picture you like.
You can copy my definitions below, or you can write your own. And, you can use the pictures I've suggested, or pick your own.
When you're done illustrating your words, be sure to scroll down and tell me about the pictures you picked!
Term
Definition
Picture
solution
an idea or a method that makes a problem go away
distract
to make someone suddenly look at or think about something different
exhausted
all used up, or all out of energy, or very ready for a break or some sleep
arrival
the act of getting to where you're going
adjust
to fiddle with something to improve it, or to switch up the way you're doing something
Tell me about your pictures!
Take your pictures one at a time, and tell me: what's in the picture, and how does it connect to the word? For example, let's say I just studied the word "frantic." I could write: "Mickey is throwing clothes into his suitcase as fast as he can. He's frantic because he's worried he'll be late."
For another example, let's say I just studied the word "triumphant." I could write: "The girl just won a contest, and she's holding a big trophy. That's why she's triumphant."
Let's see one more example! Let's say I just studied the word "dumbfounded." I could write: "This girl is dumbfounded because she sees a gigantic birthday cake that's taller than she is; now, she's so shocked that she doesn't know what to say." Maybe that's not REALLY what's happening, but it's okay to use your imagination!
Beach Day!
Day 4: Apply
Today, you'll apply the vocabulary words to your own life! I'll help you write a sentence using each word that expresses your own thoughts, ideas, wishes, and experiences.
For each word below, write your own sentence. You can use either of the two ideas I'll suggest, or you can invent your own. Include as much detail as you can!
(Source) 1. Write a sentence with the word SOLUTION:
Remember: a solution is how you solve a problem. Solutions are ways to fix issues and make things better.
Idea 1: "In my (class, family, or team), we're always arguing about (something); we need a solution that makes everyone happy."
Idea 2: "If you're bored at home one day with nothing to do, here are two great solutions: you can (do something fun) or (do something else fun)."
(Source) 2. Write a sentence with the word DISTRACT:
Remember: when you're busy trying to do something and something else distracts you, it grabs away your focus and makes you pay attention to it.
Idea 1: "It's distracting when I'm trying to (do something) but (something noisy keeps happening).”
Idea 2: "You shouldn't (do some crazy or noisy thing) when other people are trying to (do something), because you'll distract them."
(Source) 3. Write a sentence with the word EXHAUSTED:
Remember: if something exhausts you, it totally wears you out.
Idea 1: "After (doing something difficult or very fun) for (a certain amount of time), I'm exhausted."
Idea 2: "We exhausted our supply of (some food or drink), so until we can buy more, we'll have to (eat or drink something that isn't quite as good)."
(Source) 4. Write a sentence with the word ARRIVAL:
Remember: an arrival is when a person (or thing) gets to the place they were going.
Idea 1: "Right after my arrival at (some place), I like to (do something)."
Idea 2: "Things got very interesting after the arrival of (some person or animal) in my (home, class, or neighborhood)."
(Source) 5. Write a sentence with the word ADJUST:
Remember: when you adjust something, you make some changes to make it better. And when you adjust
to a new situation, you make changes to how you think or what you do--and then the situation is better for you.
Idea 1: "I put on (a special piece of clothing), then adjust it until it feels and looks just right."
Idea 2: "I had to adjust my plans when (something went wrong somehow) and I couldn't (have something the way I wanted)."
When you're ready, paste your sentences into the form below. Now is a good time to read your sentences out loud, and think, "Do I like my sentence? Does it sound good? Do I need to fix anything? Could I add any more details?"
Beach Day!
Day 5: Free-Write
You've studied hard! Today, before you write, please take a few minutes to play with your flash cards.
Try looking at your pictures and recalling your words. Be sure to say them out loud! If your flash cards are in Quizlet, play the Match game.
When you feel comfortable with all your words, you're ready to write!
Pick one topic below:
Look through your flash card deck of all the words you’ve studied recently. First, which word in your deck best connects to the book Beach Day!? How does it connect? Next, which word connects second-best, and how? Finally, which word totally does NOT connect to Beach Day!, and why?
Think about how the friends in this book played hard on the playground, until, exhausted, they collapsed onto the ground and took a long, long nap. Tell me about a time you played or worked so hard or so long that you were exhausted. What did you do? For how long? How did it feel when you finally got to rest?
When you’re done with your draft, look through your flash card deck of all the words you’ve studied recently, and pick one word that could fit into your paragraph. Add it in.
Look through your flash card deck of all the words you’ve studied recently, and pick three words that seem fun or silly. Use these three words to tell me about another adventure that the crocodile friends could go on. Instead of going to the beach this time, where are they trying to go? What fun or crazy new thing distracts them on the way?
When you're all done, it's a good idea to take a little break! Come back later, and paste your first draft (above) into the box below.
Read your work out loud, and think, "Do I like this? Does it sound good? Do I need to fix anything? Could I add any more details?" Please try for three or more sentences.
When you're happy with your second draft below, click the Submit button.
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