Word Relationships

Activity:

• Show a picture of an animal to the class and have students describe the animal.
• Prompt students to share responses that fit into three categories that will help the students describe the animal’s attributes. The anchor chart has three sections: “can”, “have”, and “are” to help students generate answers. For example, you can show a picture of a dog and students might write “run, eat dog food, bark, and be different sizes” under the “can” section. Students might say dogs have “fur, a tail, and paws.” Students may share that dogs are “mammals, pets, and sometimes adopted by people.” Complete this activity 2-3 times. 
• Share with students some of the words they are using to describe animals using adjectives. Explain that adjectives describe a noun. Adjectives can explain an amount, a color, the size, how something looks, feels, or sounds, and how it behaves. Highlight the adjectives your class recorded. 
• Have students turn and talk with a partner about additional adjectives to add to the chart.
• Have students read non-fiction texts independently about the animal of their choice. 
• As students read, have them record facts by writing or drawing on a graphic organizer that has three sections labeled “can”, “have”, and “are” like the anchor chart activity.
• Provide students additional time to read and complete their graphic organizer.
• Have students select three attributes they would like to illustrate and write about in a comic.