Vanderlyn Elementary

Dekalb County Schools

4th Annual Vocabulary Parade

Dear Parents,

Vanderlyn Elementary will host our 4th Annual Vocabulary Parade on October 14, 2016. This will be an outdoor event and parents, as spectators, will be invited to attend. The parade will begin at 8:30a.m.

The idea for the Vocabulary Parade stems from the children’s book, Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster. For costume ideas you can check out the author’s website: http://debrafrasier.com.

Costumes:

  • Costumes can be made from hats, poster board with straps, sandwich boards (front and back poster board), or other props. Just remember that all items should be “safe” items! If you are riding the school bus, please make sure that it will fit easily on the bus for travel.

  • Your costume may be any creative interpretation of the word (literal or silly). If it is best displayed and defined by more than one person, you may have a partner. For example, “congruent – the same size and shape” might be illustrated by students dressed in matching outfits.

  • Include your vocabulary word and definition on the costume somewhere. Choosing Your Word:

  • You may choose your own vocabulary word. Choose words that are age-appropriate, but also expand the students’ vocabulary. For example, a kindergartener would be impressed to learn that “pachyderm” is a synonym for “elephant”.

  • Compound words lend themselves to creativity: catfish, rainbow, butterfly, mailbox, houseplant...

  • “Sound alike” words are another great source of fun, creative ideas! (Especially for younger children):

o Homonyms – Spelled the Same
o Homophones – Spelled Differently

Example: bare/bear – The bear with no fur is bare!

  • Nouns (person, place or thing) would be great starting places for kindergarteners!

  • Adjectives – dress in clothing that illustrates your word (shimmery, glistening, ...)

  • Parents of older students may offer a list of “robust vocabulary” words the students are studying this year.

  • Words from: math, science, social studies, art, or music!

    Have fun and be creative!