Power Vocabulary

Sun
CATALOG #122

WHAT IS POWER VOCABULARY?

ower Vocabulary is a systematic and individualized approach to vocabulary development that enables

teachers to assist students to improve their reading comprehension skills. Power Vocabulary consists of
two word groups specialized and generalusage.

Specialized words label concepts that support subject matter. These words are the technical vocabulary of
a content area that is used only in a particular area. In science, specialized words include biodiversity or
predator. In history, specialized words
include hieroglyphics or chariot.
POWER VOCABULARY CONTENTS
Specialized vocabulary can also be
words we use every day that take on
1 What is Power Vocabulary?
specialized meanings in a particular conHow are the 15 Power Vocabulary words selected from this
KIDS DISCOVER title and why should students know them?
tent area. For example, the word bill
2 Word Card Activity Ideas
takes on a different meaning when we
A variety of teaching strategies and great activities students
talk about money (dollar bill or electric
can do with the word cards on pages 36
bill) than when we talk about govern36 Word Cards . . . . . . . .
ment (how a bill becomes a law).
Generalusage words are the words in
our everyday vocabulary that have widely acknowledged meanings and that
hold the content of a passage together.
These words are selected because some
readers may not be familiar with them.
Examples of generalusage words are
morose and diligent.
Fifteen Power Vocabulary words have
been identified for this KIDS DISCOVER
title. Use the word cards or select a few
blackline masters to preview the vocabulary words to help students be more confident and read more fluently when they
come across these new words as they
read. Or use them to review words after
students have read KIDS DISCOVER.

Students can cut out and use these cards to learn more about
the 15 Power Vocabulary words from this KIDS DISCOVER title

78 Dictionary List . . . . .
View the 15 Power Vocabulary words with definitions in one list

9 Crossword Puzzle . . .
In this crossword, the definitions are the clues and the Power
Vocabulary words are the answers

10 Word Find . . . . . . . . . .
Students can focus on the spellings of the Power Vocabulary
words with this word findplus solve a hidden message!

11 Matching . . . . . . . . . . .
Students will match each Power Vocabulary word with its
definition

12 Sentences . . . . . . . . . .
Students will complete each cloze sentence with a Power
Vocabulary word

1316 Answer Keys

Answer keys for the crossword puzzle, word search,
matching, and sentences blackline masters

........................... www.kidsdiscover.com ...........................

KIDS DISCOVER 149 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor New York, NY 10010 T: 2126774457 F: 2123538030
KIDS DISCOVER

SUN 1

POWER VOCABULARY
WORD CARD ACTIVITY IDEAS
se the vocabulary cards (pages 36 of this Power Vocabulary
booklet) and the following activities to introduce or review some
Power Vocabulary words students will encounter while reading this
KIDS DISCOVER title.

Personal Dictionary

bizarre
)
(bizar
e
adjectiv
R

COVE
KIDS DIS

Moon

BIZAR
RE: ve
ry

str

ange o
The
r odd
party
characte was filled with
rs weari
b
ng black izarre
purple ti
masks an
es.
d
How
ever, it
takes C
to comp
ru
ithne 77
lete its
0 ye
bizarre
orbit, w
horsesh ars
hich is
oe
made u
wound
p
of tightl
spirals.
y
(p. 17)

Wo r d s Yo u K n o w a n d Wo r d s t o K n o w
Ask students to draw a fourcolumn chart and
label the columns I dont know, Ive seen or
heard, but dont know the meaning, I think I
know the meaning, and I know the meaning. Present each of the words and sample
sentences to students. Ask them to write the
word in the column that describes how well
they know the meaning of the word.

Memory Game
Copy the word and definition pages separately and
cut out the cards. Place all cards face down on a
table and have students play a memory game
by matching the definitions and words.
Students should read the words and definitions
aloud each time they turn over a card to reinforce the pronunciation and definition.
Challenge: Use correction fluid to blank out the
vocabulary words in the sample sentences on
the definition cards.

Matching
Copy the word and definition pages separately and
cut out the cards. Paste the word cards around
the edge of a large piece of tag board. Ask
students to attach the definitions to their
words using clothespins.

Copy the word and definition pages backtoback for

each student. Have students cut out the cards
and place them in alphabetical order.
To create personal dictionaries, staple the cards
together in a flipbook or place them in a file box.
Encourage students to create additional cards for
new words they come across as they read.

N e w Wo r d C a r d s
Have students create their own vocabulary cards
for new words or content words they come
across as they read KiDS DISCOVER.

S k i m m i n g t h e Te x t
Help students practice skimming skills by presenting them with a sentence or word from the
magazine and the page number where it is
located. (The sentences and page numbers are
both listed on the definition side of the cards.)
Model how to skim the page for the word.
Then present another word and have students
practice skimming the page for that word.
Challenge: Give students a sentence, but not the
page number. Encourage them to skim the
magazine for the appropriate topic pages and
then skim for the word.

Dictionary Skills
Practice dictionary skills by asking students to
find the guidewords on the page where a Power
Vocabulary word is located in the dictionary.
Also, ask students to search for multiple meanings of the word, synonyms, antonyms, and
other parts of speech for the word.

J o u r n a l Wr i t i n g
After working with the words and definitions,
encourage students to use the words when writing essays and in their journals.

Dangling Definitions
On sturdy paper, make enlarged copies of the
word and definition cards printed backtoback.
Punch a hole in the top center of each card and
attach to the ceiling with a string.

........................... www.kidsdiscover.com ...........................

K IDS D ISCOVER 149 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor New York, NY 10010 T: 2126774457 F: 2123538030
KIDS DISCOVER

SUN 2

approximate

bask

(uhproksimuht)

(bask)

adjective

verb

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

coincidence

consumer

(kohinsiduhnss)

(kuhnsoomur)

noun

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

environmental

filter

(envyruhmentuhl)

(filtur)

adjective

verb

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

fusion

galaxy

(fyoozhuhn)

(galuhksee)

noun

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

KIDS DISCOVER

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

SUN 3

BASK: to lie or sit in the sunshine and

enjoy it

APPROXIMATE: more or less accurate or

correct

All of the animals seemed content to just

bask in the sunlight.

The approximate amount of water needed to fill this tub is fifty gallons.

When the North Pole slants toward the

Sun, the planets northern half (or hemisphere) basks in summer. (p. 6)

The Milky Way, with approximately 200

billion stars, is one of about 100 billion
galaxies in the universe. (p. 3)

CONSUMER: someone who buys and

uses products and services

COINCIDENCE: a chance happening or

meeting

As a consumer, it is important to pay

attention to both the price and the quality
of items for sale.

It was a coincidence when he bumped

into his sister at the store, because he
didnt know she was there.

Nevertheless, many consumers want

clean energy from a renewable source.
(p. 16)

By a coincidence, the Moon is four hundred times closer to Earth than the Sun.
(p. 7)

FILTER: to remove by means of a device

that cleans liquids or gases as they pass
through it

Sunglasses filter out harmful ultraviolet

rays so they do not reach the eyes.
Four of the imagesare of the Sun as
seen through a telescope that filtered out
all but the UV light waves. (p. 10)

GALAXY: very large group of stars and

planets

Most of the stars we see in the night sky

are a part of our galaxy, the Milky Way.
[T]he Sun travels about 150 miles per
second around the center of the Milky
Way galaxy. (p. 2)

KIDS DISCOVER

ENVIRONMENTAL: referring to the natural world; relating to a persons or animals surroundings

Some groups devote their time and

energy to the cause of environmental
protection.
Global warming could melt polar ice
sheets and cause radical environmental
changes. (p. 17)

FUSION: the joining together of two

pieces of metal, plastic, etc., caused by
heating

They hoped a fusion of two metal rods

would be better support for the tent.
The Sun formed because heat and pressure within the cloud triggered nuclear
fusion. (p. 4)

SUN 4

generate

illusion

(jenuhrayt)

(iloozhuhn)

verb

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

portray

silhouette

(portray)

(silooet)

verb

noun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

solstice

sophisticated

(soulstiss)

(suhfisstuhkaytid)

noun

adjective

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

spectacular

_________________

(spektakyuhlur)

_________________

adjective

_________________

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

KIDS DISCOVER

KIDS DISCOVER Sun

SUN 5

ILLUSION: something that appears to

exist but does not

The magician made his audience believe

that his assistant had turned into a bird,
but it was really just an illusion.
As Earth turns, it spins on its axis, creating the illusion that the Sun rises in the
east and falls in the west. (p. 6)

SILHOUETTE: a dark outline seen

against a light background

Only her silhouette could be seen carrying the candle up the dark stairs.
Its rays light the giraffe and wildebeest
from behind, making them appear as
silhouettes. (p. 10)

SOPHISTICATED: highly complicated or

developed; complex

Karl had trouble learning the game of

chess because it had such a sophisticated
set of rules.
Over the centuries, people created
sophisticated sundials that gave highly accurate time. (p. 12)

GENERATE: to produce something

She wanted a stereo that would generate

clear, crisp sound.
This uneven heating causes differences in
air pressure that generate wind and
changes in the weather. (p. 8)

PORTRAY: to make a picture of something or someone

One photograph was simply not enough

to portray all of the fun we had that day.
It portrays sacred ancestors of the tribe.
(p. 13)

SOLSTICE: either of the two times each

year when the Sun is farthest from the
equator, on or about June 22 and
December 22

The summer solstice is the day with the

longest period of sunlight.
[T]he huge stones were lined up
perfectly to mark the sunrise on the
solstices and equinoxes. (p. 7)

SPECTACULAR: remarkable or dramatic

The beauty of its landscape makes the

Grand Canyon one of the most
spectacular natural sites in the world.
In about five billion years, the Sun will
die a spectacular death. (p. 14)

KIDS DISCOVER

SUN 6

Sun Dictionary List

APPROXIMATE
Pronunciation (uhproksimuht)
Part of Speech adjective
Definition more or less accurate or correct
The approximate amount of water needed to
fill this tub is fifty gallons.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER
The Milky Way, with approximately

200 billion stars, is one of about 100 billion

galaxies in the universe. (p. 3)

BASK
Pronunciation (bask)
Part of Speech verb
Definition to lie or sit in the sunshine and enjoy it
All of the animals seemed content to just bask

in the sunlight.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

When the North Pole slants toward the

Sun, the planets northern half (or hemisphere) basks in summer. (p. 6)
COINCIDENCE
Pronunciation (kohinsiduhnss)
Part of Speech noun
Definition a chance happening or meeting
It was a coincidence when he bumped into
his sister at the store, because he didnt know
she was there.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER
By a coincidence, the Moon

is four hundred
times closer to Earth than the Sun. (p. 7)

CONSUMER
Pronunciation (kuhnsoomur)
Part of Speech noun
Definition someone who buys and uses products

and services
As a consumer, it is important to pay attention to both the price and the quality of items
for sale.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER
Nevertheless, many consumers

want clean
energy from a renewable source. (p. 16)

KIDS DISCOVER

ENVIRONMENTAL
Pronunciation (envyruhmentuhl)
Part of Speech adjective
Definition referring to the natural world; relating
to a persons or animals surroundings
Some groups devote their time and energy to
the cause of environmental protection.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Global warming could melt polar ice

sheets and cause radical environmental
changes. (p. 17)
FILTER
Pronunciation (filtur)
Part of Speech verb
Definition to remove by means of a device that

cleans liquids or gases as they pass through it

Sunglasses filter out harmful ultraviolet rays so

they do not reach the eyes.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Four of the imagesare of the Sun as seen

through a telescope that filtered out all but
the UV light waves. (p. 10)
FUSION
Pronunciation (fyoozhuhn)
Part of Speech noun
Definition the joining together of two pieces of

metal, plastic, etc., caused by heating

They hoped a fusion of two metal rods would
be better support for the tent.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

The Sun formed because heat and pressure

within the cloud triggered nuclear fusion.
(p. 4)
GALAXY
Pronunciation (galuhksee)
Part of Speech noun
Definition very large group of stars and planets

Most of the stars we see in the night sky are a

part of our galaxy, the Milky Way.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

[T]he Sun travels about 150 miles per

second around the center of the Milky Way
galaxy. (p. 2)
SUN 7

Sun Dictionary List

(continued)

GENERATE

SOLSTICE

Pronunciation (jenuhrayt)
Part of Speech verb
Definition to produce something

Pronunciation (soulstiss)
Part of Speech noun
Definition either of the two times each year when

She wanted a stereo that would generate

the Sun is farthest from the equator, on or about

June 22 and December 22
The summer solstice is the day with the
longest period of sunlight.

clear, crisp sound.

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

This uneven heating causes differences in

air pressure that generate wind and
changes in the weather. (p. 8)
ILLUSION
Pronunciation (iloozhuhn)
Part of Speech noun
Definition something that appears to exist but

does not
The magician made his audience believe that
his assistant had turned into a bird, but it was
really just an illusion.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

As Earth turns, it spins on its axis, creating

the illusion that the Sun rises in the east
and falls in the west. (p. 6)
PORTRAY
Pronunciation (portray)
Part of Speech verb
Definition to make a picture of something or

someone
One photograph was simply not enough to
portray all of the fun we had that day.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER
It portrays sacred ancestors

of the tribe.

(p. 13)
SILHOUETTE
Pronunciation (silooet)
Part of Speech noun
Definition a dark outline seen against a light

Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

[T]he huge stones were lined up perfectly

to mark the sunrise on the solstices and
equinoxes. (p. 7)
SOPHISTICATED
Pronunciation (suhfisstuhkaytid)
Part of Speech adjective
Definition highly complicated or developed;
complex
Karl had trouble learning the game of chess
because it had such a sophisticated set of
rules.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Over the centuries, people created

sophisticated sundials thatgave highly
accurate time. (p. 12)
SPECTACULAR
Pronunciation (spektakyuhlur)
Part of Speech adjective
Definition remarkable or dramatic
The beauty of its landscape makes the Grand
Canyon one of the most spectacular natural
sites in the world.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

In about five billion years, the Sun will die

a spectacular death. (p. 14)

background

Only her silhouette could be seen carrying the

candle up the dark stairs.
Word Used in KIDS DISCOVER

Its rays light the giraffe and wildebeest

from behind, making them appear as
silhouettes. (p. 10)
KIDS DISCOVER

SUN 8

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

Crossword
1

approximate
bask
coincidence
consumer
environmental
filter
fusion
galaxy
generate
illusion
portray
silhouette
solstice
sophisticated
spectacular

10

11

12

13

14

Down

someone who buys and uses products

and services
2. to remove by means of a device that
cleans liquids or gases as they pass
through it
4. a chance happening or meeting
5. something that appears to exist but
does not
8. to make a picture of something or
someone
9. referring to the natural world; relating
to a persons or animals surroundings
11. the joining together of two pieces of
metal, plastic, etc., caused by heating
13. to lie or sit in the sunshine and enjoy
it
14. a very large group of stars and planets
1.

15

Across

3. highly complicated or developed; complex

6. remarkable or dramatic

either of the two times each year when the Sun is

furthest from the equator, on or about June 22
and December 22
10. to produce something
12. a dark outline seen against a light background
15. more or less accurate or correct
7.

KIDS DISCOVER

SUN

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

Word Find
Circle each word from the box in the letter grid below. The words are up and down, across,
backwards, and diagonal. Then, going across each row starting at the top left, place each unused
letter on a blank until you reveal the hidden message.

approximate
bask
coincidence
consumer
environmental

filter
fusion
galaxy
generate
illusion

portray
silhouette
solstice
sophisticated
spectacular

C O L O R
A R E
T H E
W H A T
B R I G H T E S T
S T A R S ?

H O T T E S T

A N D

B L U E .
KIDS DISCOVER

SUN

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

Matching
For each vocabulary word in the left column, locate its definition in the right column. Write the
number of the correct definition in the blank before the word.

________ approximate

1.

referring to the natural world; relating to a persons or animals

surroundings

2.

to lie or sit in the sunshine and enjoy it

3.

to make a picture of something or someone

4.

either of the two times each year when the Sun is furthest from the
equator, on or about June 22 and December 22

5.

a chance happening or meeting

6.

the joining together of two pieces of metal, plastic, etc., caused by

heating

7.

remarkable or dramatic

8.

something that appears to exist but does not

9.

a dark outline seen against a light background

________ bask
________ coincidence
________ consumer
________ environmental
________ filter
________ fusion
________ galaxy
________ generate
________ illusion
________ portray

10. highly complicated or developed; complex

________ silhouette

11. more or less accurate or correct

________ solstice

12. a very large group of stars and planets

________ sophisticated

13. someone who buys and uses products and services

________ spectacular

14. to produce something

15. to remove by means of a device that cleans liquids or gases as they

pass through it

KIDS DISCOVER

SUN

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

Sentences
Fill in each blank with the word from the box that best completes the sentence.

approximate
bask
coincidence
consumer
environmental
1.

2.
3.
4.

5.
6.

7.
8.
9.
10.

11.

12.
13.

14.

15.

filter
fusion
galaxy
generate
illusion

The video game gave Molly the

plane.

that she was actually flying a

She liked to sit by the swimming pool and

in the hot summer sun.

Certain aquatic plants can

She could see the
who it was.
A distant

By

Belle was an enthusiastic

wastes out of streams.

of someone in the doorway, but she couldn't tell

He wanted to create a painting that would

landscape.
The light bulb did not

looks like a misty cloud to the human eye.

They needed a more

calculations.

She had never visited his ranch but knew its

Building the new office complex could be an

the stream.

The winter

KIDS DISCOVER

all of the beauty of the

enough light to illuminate the whole room.

, Gary picked up the telephone just as his friend called.

Greek theaters are among the most

ancient times.

High temperatures allow for the

larger piece.

portray
silhouette
solstice
sophisticated
spectacular

, going shopping at least once a week.

buildings that survive from

computer program to solve the complex

location.

threat if it pollutes

of the two pieces of glass into one

is the day when the sun is farthest from the Earth.

SUN

ANSWER KEY

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

Crossword
1

I
8

O
N

E
10

11

approximate
bask
coincidence
consumer
environmental
filter
fusion
galaxy
generate
illusion
portray
silhouette
solstice
sophisticated
spectacular

R
12

14

3. highly complicated or developed; complex

6. remarkable or dramatic

either of the two times each year when the Sun is

furthest from the equator, on or about June 22
and December 22
10. to produce something
12. a dark outline seen against a light background
15. more or less accurate or correct
KIDS DISCOVER

Across

7.

Down

someone who buys and uses products

and services
2. to remove by means of a device that
cleans liquids or gases as they pass
through it
4. a chance happening or meeting
5. something that appears to exist but
does not
8. to make a picture of something or
someone
9. referring to the natural world; relating
to a persons or animals surroundings
11. the joining together of two pieces of
metal, plastic, etc., caused by heating
13. to lie or sit in the sunshine and enjoy
it
14. a very large group of stars and planets
1.

15

13

SUN

ANSWER KEY

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

Word Find
Circle each word from the box in the letter grid below. The words are up and down, across,
backwards, and diagonal. Then, going across each row starting at the top left, place each unused
letter on a blank until you reveal the hidden message.

approximate
bask
coincidence
consumer
environmental

filter
fusion
galaxy
generate
illusion

portray
silhouette
solstice
sophisticated
spectacular

C O L O R
A R E
T H E
W H A T
B R I G H T E S T
S T A R S ?

H O T T E S T

A N D

B L U E .
KIDS DISCOVER

SUN

ANSWER KEY

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

Matching
For each vocabulary word in the left column, locate its definition in the right column. Write the
number of the correct definition in the blank before the word.

11
approximate
________

1.

referring to the natural world; relating to a persons or animals

surroundings

2.

to lie or sit in the sunshine and enjoy it

3.

to make a picture of something or someone

4.

either of the two times each year when the Sun is furthest from the
equator, on or about June 22 and December 22

5.

a chance happening or meeting

6.

the joining together of two pieces of metal, plastic, etc., caused by

heating

7.

remarkable or dramatic

8.

something that appears to exist but does not

9.

a dark outline seen against a light background

2
bask
________
5
coincidence
________
13
consumer
________
1
environmental
________
15
filter
________
6
fusion
________
12
galaxy
________
14
generate
________
8
illusion
________
3
portray
________

10. highly complicated or developed; complex

9
silhouette
________

11. more or less accurate or correct

4
solstice
________

12. a very large group of stars and planets

10
sophisticated
________

13. someone who buys and uses products and services

7
spectacular
________

14. to produce something

15. to remove by means of a device that cleans liquids or gases as they

pass through it

KIDS DISCOVER

SUN

ANSWER KEY

Name ____________________________________________ Date _________________

Sentences
Fill in each blank with the word from the box that best completes the sentence.

approximate
bask
coincidence
consumer
environmental
1.

2.
3.
4.

5.
6.

7.
8.
9.
10.

11.

12.
13.

14.

15.

filter
fusion
galaxy
generate
illusion

The video game gave Molly the

plane.
Certain aquatic plants can

A distant

He wanted to create a painting that would

landscape.
By

of someone in the doorway, but she couldn't tell

looks like a misty cloud to the human eye.

enough light to illuminate the whole room.

, Gary picked up the telephone just as his friend called.

Belle was an enthusiastic

Greek theaters are among the most

ancient times.

computer program to solve the complex

approximate

Building the new office complex could be an

the stream.

KIDS DISCOVER

solstice

buildings that survive from

spectacular

sophisticated

High temperatures allow for the

larger piece.

, going shopping at least once a week.

consumer

She had never visited his ranch but knew its

The winter

all of the beauty of the

portray

generate

coincidence

They needed a more

calculations.

wastes out of streams.

silhouette

galaxy

in the hot summer sun.

bask

filter

The light bulb did not

that she was actually flying a

illusion

She liked to sit by the swimming pool and

She could see the
who it was.

portray
silhouette
solstice
sophisticated
spectacular

environmental

fusion

location.

threat if it pollutes

of the two pieces of glass into one

is the day when the sun is farthest from the Earth.

SUN