Presentation of the critical nouns used across curricular areas, using visuals/videos/altrenate definitions to make them more student friendly and easy to understand.

1. Critical Nouns
2014-2015

2. Alliteration
the use of words that begin with the same
sound near one another.
(as in “wild and wooly”, or “big babbling brook”).
Videos -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGJu6LzUfYM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhrY5ZCYtlU

3. Analogy
a comparison of two things based on them
being alike in some way.
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBGcET2AIwM (synonyms/antonyms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbXR43hMSV8
Analogy Game:
http://www.vocabulary.co.il/analogies/intermediate/elementary-analogy-game/

4. Argument
A statement or series of statements for
(agree) or against (disagree) something.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9QYtr9nVx4

5. Central Idea
The unifying element of the story, which ties
together all of the other elements of fiction used
by the author to tell the story.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WODvggcGWfU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u230G2FPua8
ONLINE Activity :
http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/GetTheIdea/default.htm

6. Connection
A causal or logical relation or sequence.

7. Detail
A small part of something.

8. Evidence
Something that shows that something else
exists or is true. (proof)
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqjIb0jVpRM (Arthur hides the evidence)

9. Figurative Language
Words or expressions with a meaning that is
different from the literal interpretation. (words
say something different from what they mean)
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K9pd6h9JT0 (rap)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S-uxMeNnt4 (find the examples in pop
culture videos/songs/movies)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p50_yNQLj5c (different types)

10. Interaction
A mutual or reciprocal action; acting one upon
another.

11. Metaphor
A word or phrase for one thing that is used to
refer to another thing in order to show that
they are similar. (NO LIKE OR AS)
VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0edKgL9EgM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoSBVNUO2LU (The bazillions -
similes/metaphors)
https://www.superteachertools.net/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game-from-
com.php?gamefile=http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy/usergames/Feb
201106/jeopardy1297119259.txt#.VKr6s2TF9uU (Simile vs Metaphor game
online)

12. Mood
A literary element that evokes certain feelings
or vibes in readers through words and
descriptions.
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IItGdq-ApjQ
http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/understanding-tone-and-mood-in-
a-reading-passage.html#lesson (mood and tone)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDUhDV-72S0 (tone vs. mood)

13. Point of View
In fictional writing, the narrator’s position in
relation to the story being told.
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKi56cPUSFk (9 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv8HMBouN_s

14. Rhetoric
The skill of speaking and writing formally
and effectively to persuade or influence
people.
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7APYSaaNDxE (15 min with
Disney video clips)

15. Simile
A phrase that uses the words “like” or “as” to
describe someone or something by comparing
it with someone or something that is similar.
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H98HGQU1vRY (have fun teaching)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syv4x-09luY (using movie clips)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTSCSSHqH_U (slow video for kids)

16. Stanza
A division of a poem that has a series of lines
arranged together, usually recurring as a
pattern of meter and rhyme.
● Stanza 1: When I was a baby, with the rest of the stanza indented.
● Stanza 2: When I was in kindergarten,
● Stanza 3: Now that I am in Grade ___,
● Stanza 1: Spring is the season of growth.
● Stanza 2: Summer is the season of warmth.
● Stanza 3: Fall is the season of colors.
● Stanza 4: Winter is the season of white.
● The children would use the above as the last line of each stanza

17. Structure
The framework of a work of literature.

18. Theme
The main subject that is being discussed or
described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc.
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qME64SkxM (11 min)
http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is-theme-in-literature-
definition-examples-quiz.html#lesson (theme in literature for kids)

19. Tone
Quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the
words that someone uses in speaking or
writing.
Videos: http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/tone-
vs-mood-interpreting-meaning-in-prose.html#lesson (mood
vs. tone)