Vocabulary Development

The words in these lists are the focus of vocabulary development throughout this theme's oral language, listening comprehension, and small-group activities. The list includes a wide variety of academic and content area words as well as everyday conversational words that children add to their vocabularies through interactions with families, teachers, and peers.

Theme Vocabulary

Core Words

  • alphabet
  • calendar
  • class
  • colors
  • count
  • fewest/most
  • how many
  • kindergarten
  • learn
  • letters
  • number(s)
  • pairs
  • pattern
  • reading
  • rules
  • school
  • shape(s)
  • teacher
  • week

Basic Words

  • bigger
  • book(s)
  • call
  • day(s)
  • fast
  • night
  • phone
  • race (n.)
  • sky
  • spots (n.)
  • strong
  • words

Story/Poetry Vocabulary

  • brag
  • bright/dark
  • cafeteria
  • computer
  • coconut tree
  • curious
  • finish line
  • hare
  • kindergarteners
  • match
  • microwave
  • parts
  • reflection
  • school bus
  • straight
  • tag-along
  • teased
  • telephone
  • television
  • tortoise
  • ugly
  • watermelon

Basic Words

  • beat
  • bicycle
  • body
  • bow (n.)
  • cost
  • ducklings
  • flowers
  • half
  • lay
  • lively
  • lonely
  • mixed up
  • music
  • parade
  • pileup
  • race (v.)
  • room
  • set (v.)
  • side
  • swans
  • tie

Challenge Words

  • allowance
  • magnifying glass
  • patched-up
  • skinned-knee
  • stubbed-toe

Math Vocabulary

Number Concept Words

  • add
  • estimate
  • fifth
  • first
  • fourth
  • graph
  • how many
  • in all
  • pattern
  • second
  • sort
  • take away
  • third

Money Words

  • coins
  • dime
  • nickel
  • penny
  • quarter
  • worth

Shape and Part Words

  • cone
  • cube
  • cylinder
  • equal parts
  • half
  • matching
  • rectangular prism
  • same
  • sphere
  • symmetry

Science Vocabulary

Oral Language Card 66

  • day
  • moon
  • night
  • sky
  • stars

Oral Language Card 67

  • baby
  • change
  • child
  • grow
  • height
  • measure

Oral Language Card 69

  • balance
  • heavier
  • lighter
  • weight

Social Studies Vocabulary

Oral Language Card 64

  • listen
  • quiet
  • rule
  • talk

Oral Language Card 65

  • field trip
  • petting zoo
  • teacher

Oral Language Card 68

  • clock
  • hand
  • hour
  • machine
  • second
  • time

Oral Language Card 70

  • help
  • job
  • pick up
  • school
Core Words
Teach and reinforce these words with all children.
Basic Words
Three-year-olds, English language learners, and children with limited vocabulary experience may need reinforcement of these words.
Challenge Words
Introduce these words as children's interests indicate.