Dog Dictionary

Target Words

aloud, bilingual, memorize(d), pronounce, recite, remember, voice

Materials

Paper
Pens, pencils, or markers

Directions

1. Ask your child, "How many words can you think of that are about dogs?" Make a list of words such as dog, puppy, tail, wag, bark, fetch, and sit. Include dog sounds such as woof and bowwow.
2. Tell your child that together you will find out how to say these words in a different language. First, you will learn how to pronounce each word and then learn it by heart or memorize it. Finally, you will make a bilingual dog dictionary, with each word in English and in another language.
3. To find out the translations, ask a relative or friend who speaks another language or ask the children's librarian at the library to help you find a foreign language dictionary.
4. Help your child write each word in English and its translation on a piece of paper. Ask, "Can you remember how to say that word in (Spanish)? Let's say it aloud." Have your child draw pictures to go with some of the words. Staple together the pages to make a book.
5. Add a title page for the book. Be sure to include the authors' names (you and your child)!
6. Share the book with other members of the family. Ask your child to say the words in a clear, loud voice, as he or she recites each one.

Extension

You can choose a series of different animals or other related words. After you have translated them, make another book to add to your "language library." You could also learn how to use some of the words in sentences.

Related Books

There are many bilingual storybooks to read aloud together. Ask your librarian for suggestions. Here are some nonfiction books you may also find interesting.

• Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book by Muriel Feelings
  Pictures and words introduce the language and culture of East Africa.
• Mung-Mung: A Fold-Out Book of Animal Sounds by Linda Sue Park
  Discover the sounds animals make in several languages.
• My First Spanish Word Book by DK Publishing
  Colorful pictures make this English/Spanish dictionary fun to browse through.