Vocabulary in Action
What does “figure out” mean?
To find the answer or solve something.
What is the purpose of a topic sentence?
To introduce the main idea of the paragraph.
Why do people make mistakes when learning something new?
Because they are practicing something they do not understand yet.
Name one example of learning from a story we read.
Kai didn't understand the math problem. He asked a question, and his partner explained it to him. After that, he was able to answer the problem. He learned to ask questions.
Which is abstract: confidence or calculator?
confidence
Why do we use simple present tense?
To talk about what is happening right now.
What is missing?
“At the beginning, the person feels confused.”
The problem is missing.
Use “correct” in a sentence about learning.
The student corrects the mistake after discussing the problem.
(Answers may vary.)
Why must you explain the problem at the beginning?
Because the reader needs to understand what the person is trying to learn.
Why are mistakes important?
Mistakes help people learn what is wrong and how to improve.
How did a character change after learning something?
Paul Salopek learns to pack a camel. He also learns about other cultures and other people.
Why is “knowledge” abstract?
Because you cannot see or touch it.
Fix: “She try to solve the problem.”
She tries to solve the problem.
Add a strategy:
“The student wants to understand math.”
The student discusses the problem and tries again.
(Answers may vary.)
Which vocabulary word best fits this sentence?
“A student talks with a partner to understand a hard question.”
A. correct
B. discuss
C. travel
D. frown
E. wave
B. discuss
Why are learning strategies important?
They show how the person solves the problem and how learning happens.
Why does discussing a problem help someone learn?
Talking helps people hear new ideas and understand the problem better.
Why is using an example stronger than giving only your opinion?
Because examples prove your idea and make it more clear.
Why are abstract nouns important in informational writing?
They help explain ideas, feelings, and change.
What is wrong with this sentence?
“They discusses the answer.”
The subject and verb do not agree. It should be “They discuss.”
What is weak about this sentence?
“The person learns and is happy.”
It does not explain how they learn or why they are happy.
Explain the difference between “hard” and “problem.”
A problem is something you need to solve.
Hard describes something that is difficult.
How is informational writing different from telling a story?
Informational writing explains ideas or processes.
A story tells events in order with characters and details.
Why does confidence increase after learning something difficult?
Because the person understands the skill and feels more sure.
What makes an example strong?
It clearly connects to the main idea and explains how learning happened.
Add an abstract noun to this sentence:
“The student studies every day.”
The student gains confidence by studying every day.
(Answers may vary.)
Why is consistent verb tense important?
It makes the writing clear and easy to understand.
Improve: “The problem is hard.”
The math problem is hard because the student does not understand the steps.
Why is it important to use vocabulary words naturally in your paragraph instead of listing them?
Because vocabulary should help explain ideas clearly. Listing words without explanation does not show understanding.
Explain how “problem → strategies → change” shows cause and effect.
The problem causes the person to use strategies.
The strategies cause the change at the end.
Is struggle necessary for learning? Explain.
Yes, because struggle shows effort and growth.
(Or thoughtful explanation — answers may vary if supported.)
Why is this explanation weak?
“The person learns because they try.”
It does not explain how they try or what changes. It needs more detail.
How do abstract nouns help show change?
They show what the person gains, like confidence or knowledge.
Improve: “The student learning and make better.”
The student learns and makes progress.
(Answers may vary but must be simple present and clear.)
What is missing?
“The person makes a mistake. The person fixes it. The person understands.”
A topic sentence, learning strategies, and explanation of change.