Study the word DESPISE:
When you despise things or people, you look down on them: you think they're really bad or really disgusting, so you hate them.
For example, if you despise roaches, that means you think they're gross, nasty, and awful. You absolutely hate it when you see a roach inside your home.
(Source)
Something despicable is so terrible and so icky that people hate it: they despise it. These kids were expecting a clean pool to play in. Instead, they find a dirty, despicable mess of spiderwebs and live birds. And bird poop! There's nothing wrong with birds or spiders, but if you let them take over your pool and then expect kids to swim in it, that's despicable!
Study the word SCROUNGE:
To scrounge for something, like food or money, is to steal it, to take it from someone's trash, or to beg other people for it.
This racoon is scrounging some food from these cats.
(Source)
At the dump, Homer asks his kids, "Who's up for some scrounging?" They scrounge for broken old toys to take home.
Study the word HAZARD:
A hazard is something that might hurt you or even kill you. In other words, hazards are risks or dangers: things you have to look out for.
For example, a damaged electrical outlet is a hazard. It might electrocute you, or even start a fire.
(Source)
For another example, some chemicals give off hazardous fumes. Be careful not to breathe them in, or you might get sick. I hope you never have to live near a chemical plant like this one: it could be a hazard to your health.
Study the word DISCOVER:
To discover something is to find it in a nice, surprising way. When you discover things, they've usually been lost, hidden, or secret--or just unknown to you. You could discover a cool fact in a book, or discover a fun new way to dance.
To discover something can also mean to be the first person ever to find it or figure it out. For example, Clyde Tombaugh discovered the planet Pluto.
Below, this archaeologist has just discovered a skull! He's dug it up out of the ground. A skull is a very exciting discovery.
(Source)
This scuba diver has just discovered some treasure!
Study the word BOLD:
To be bold is to be brave, strong, and confident, ready to take a risk or try something scary. And, bold things are big, strong, and easy to notice, like the bold colors on the flag below, which are bright and easy to see, and the bold text right here, which is dark, heavy, and easy to focus on.
(Source)
If an animal is bold, it's not shy or scared: it comes right up to you, as if it's not afraid of you. And a bold leap or a bold strategy is big, risky, and courageous.
5. The word that means "not scared: ready to try something new, ready to take a big risk" is...
...
bold.
Pizza Mouse
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: something despicable is nasty, very bad, or hateful. When you despise something, you think it's yucky or awful.
(Source) In Pizza Mouse, the mouse says, "No one likes mice. Dogs don't like mice. Cats don't like mice." Later, an angry man chases the mouse away with a broom. The man, the cats, and the dogs all despise mice. What does this mean?
B) It means they think mice are disgusting.
2. Remember: to scrounge things is to go around looking for them and taking them for yourself, even though they aren't yours.
(Source) In Pizza Mouse, the mouse scrounges his meals from the trash and from restaurants. What does this mean?
A) It means that he gets his food by finding it or stealing it.
3. Remember: hazards are things you have to watch out for, because they can harm you.
(Source) In Pizza Mouse, the mouse lives in a city full of hazards. What does this mean?
A) It means that he has to look out for fast cars, birds of prey, and angry people with brooms, so he doesn't get killed.
4. Remember: when you discover things, you're surprised and happy to see them or learn about them.
(Source) In Pizza Mouse, when the mouse hides inside the big, white, flat box, he discovers something wonderful. What does this mean?
B) It means that he realizes the box contains a hearty, delicious slice of pizza.
5. Remember: if you're feeling or acting bold, you're very sure of yourself: you're brave and strong, eager to try something risky.
(Source) Toward the end of Pizza Mouse, the little mouse boldly carries his pizza home. What does this mean?
A) It means he pushes his way into and out of a crowded subway, unafraid of the huge humans who could crush him.
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. If you see a car pulled over on the side of the road, flashing its lights again and again--flash, flash, flash, flash, flash--it might be because the car has broken down, or because it has a flat tire. For whatever reason, the stopped car is potentially dangerous to other cars on the road. That's why the lights are flashing: to tell other drivers to pay attention. There's a word that starts with H that describes these lights. What's the word?
hazard
2. Class is starting, and you need a pencil and some notebook paper. But you ran out! Your backpack doesn't have any, and neither does your desk. Oh, no. You look around on the floor, hoping to find a stray pencil. No luck. You ask a friend on your left, "Hey? Um? Can I borrow some paper?" She shakes her head; she doesn't have any extra. Your friend who usually sits on your right is absent today. In desperation, you reach over and open his desk, stealing some paper and a pencil. There's a word that starts with S that describes what you're doing. What's the word?
scrounging
3. You have a secret notebook where you write down your thoughts and juicy secrets. No one except you is allowed to read it! You make sure to hide it well in your room, so no one will find it. There's a word that starts with D that describes what you DON'T want people to do to your secret notebook. What's the word?
discover
4. In your class, there's a new kid. He's big. He's tall. He's much bigger and much taller than everyone else, and he's got a big scowl on his face. He's not talking to anyone. At first, you and your friends stay back, not sure how to act. Then, you take a deep breath, and walk straight up to this enormous, scowling kid. You stick your hand out, smile, and boom out, "Hi! Welcome to our class! What's your name?" There's a word that starts with B that describes you right now. What's the word?
bold
5. You have a friend who can't stand snakes. Just the thought of them makes him shudder with fear. You've tried explaining that snakes aren't bad or evil--they're just animals who want to eat and sleep and live, like the rest of us--but your friend still absolutely hates them. There's a word that starts with D that describes how he feels about snakes. What's the word?
despise
Pizza Mouse
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
despise
to strongly dislike something and think it's very bad or gross
scrounge
to look all around and snatch things for yourself
hazard
a risk or a danger: something to watch out for, so you don't get hurt
discover
to find something, to find out, or to figure something out
bold
not scared: ready to try something new, ready to take a big risk
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!
Pizza Mouse
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 DESPISE or DESPICABLE:
Remember: something despicable is nasty, very bad, or hateful. When you despise something, you think it's yucky or awful.
Idea 1: "Ever since (something really bad, painful, or embarrassing happened), I have despised (that place or activity in which it happened).”
Idea 2: "It would be despicable if you (did something mean or hurtful) to (some young person or some small animal)."
(Source) 2. Write a sentence with the word SCROUNGE:
Remember: to scrounge things, or to scrounge around for things, is to go looking for them and taking them for yourself, even though they aren't yours.
Idea 1: "If I want to buy (something cool or expensive) right now, I'd have to scrounge up (a certain amount of money) for it.’”
Idea 2: "Late at night, I sneak into the kitchen to scrounge a snack together, hoping to find (something yummy) or (something else yummy)."
(Source) 3. Write a sentence with the word HAZARD or HAZARDOUS:
Remember: hazards are things you have to watch out for, because they can harm you or even kill you.
Idea 1: "One of the hazards of (doing something exciting or dangerous) is that you could (get hurt somehow)."
Idea 2: "(Some place, either real or in a story or a game) is a hazardous place, full of (things that could attack you or eat you)."
(Source) 4. Write a sentence with the word DISCOVER or DISCOVERY:
Remember: when you discover things, you're surprised and happy to see them or learn about them. Discoveries are things you find, things you learn, or things that people notice or figure out for the very first time.
Idea 1: "While looking for (something), I discovered (something interesting) (in some room or container)."
Idea 2: "I love to (read books or watch videos) about (some cool topic) and share my discoveries with (some friend or family member)."
(Source) 5. Write a sentence with the word BOLD or BOLDLY:
Remember: if you're feeling or acting bold, you're very sure of yourself: you're brave and strong, eager to try something risky. And, bold colors, sounds, and tastes are bright, strong, and easy to notice.
Idea 1: "I walk boldly into (some scary or new place) and immediately (do something that takes guts)."
Idea 2: "You can improve a boring food like (something) by adding the bold flavor of (some spice, topping, or condiment)."
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?"
Pizza Mouse
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 Pizza Mouse? How does it connect? Next, which word connects second-best, and how? Finally, which word totally does NOT connect to Pizza Mouse, and why?
Think about how the people in this book despise mice. They think mice are gross, dirty, and awful. Tell me about something you despise: it could be a food, an activity, or a show. Why do you dislike it so much? Why does it seem so nasty, icky, terrible, or annoying to you? 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 exciting. Use these three words to tell me a story: pretend you're a bird who makes friends with the mouse from this book. Tell me about an adventure that you and the mouse go on together. What hazards do you face? How do you stay safe?
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.
Enroll in "Make Your Point, Jr." for one-on-one tutoring.
