Words in Motion: The Fishtank Curriculum Brings Vocabulary to Life at the Swain Campus

Young learners at the Swain Campus are diving into a world of words through the new Fishtank Curriculum in language arts. Each day, students in grades 3-5 eagerly explore new vocabulary, discovering how these words come to life in their daily reading. The process is dynamic and engaging, fostering curiosity and a deeper understanding.

Each lesson begins with students reading the new vocabulary words together, setting the stage for daily discovery. With carefully crafted sentences, they use context clues to determine the part of speech and the meaning of each word. Together, they build definitions, recording them in their vocabulary notebooks—a valuable resource for future discussions and writing prompts.

Vocabulary lessons go beyond reading and writing. After mastering each word, students invent movements to help remember meanings. For example, for "misfortune," they give a thumbs down with a bummed expression, capturing the feeling of bad luck. These creative gestures make the learning process memorable. Students cheer whenever new words are introduced.
 
Through this interactive approach, students are not just memorizing vocabulary; they are living it, making learning a joyful and unforgettable experience.