Word association game

Let’s play a word association game!

Examine the Word Associations Game table below.

Then, read through each word in “The word” column and record the first thing that comes to your mind in the, “Makes me think of…” column.

For example, you might respond to the word, “juice,” with “orange.”

Come up with as many word connections as you can think of.

You can use the following fillable and printable Word Association Game chart to record your responses. If you prefer, you can access an audio version of the Word Association Game and record the first thing that comes to mind.

Press the ‘Challenge’ button to reveal an extra challenge.

Challenge

Text connections

In the Minds On section, we practiced making connections between words. As readers, we can also make different types of text connections. Do any come to mind?

Let’s explore what it means to make text connections.

Task 1: What are text connections?

Making connections is a type of comprehension strategy that helps us to make sense of the things we read. This is a strategy that can be used for all types of texts!

There are three different types of connections that we can make:

Text-to-Text: a connection that you make between texts.

• this reminds me of a book I’ve read…
• this book is similar to/different from another thing I read…
• this character is similar to/different from another character
• this setting is similar to/different from another setting
• this problem/solution is similar to/different from another problem/solution…

Text-to-Self: a connection that you make between a text and your own knowledge, experience, and insights.

• this reminds me of…
• something like happened to me when…
• this is similar to/different from my life…

Text-to-World: a connection that you make between a text and the world around you.

• this book is similar to/different from something that is happening/happened in the real world…
• I experienced something like this when…

Let’s examine the following anchor chart to review each type of connection.

Task 2: Deep vs. surface-level connections

When we make connections, we can engage more deeply with the text itself. But it’s important that we practice making deep connections rather than surface-level connections.

A deep connection consists of information from a text as well as the reader’s background knowledge and experiences. It’s also important for the reader to explain how the connection deepened their understanding of a text.

Let’s practice making deep connections!

Examine each connection below and identify the type of connection it is (text-to-text, text-to-self, or text-to-world).

Next, give the connection a rating out of 4 based on how deep you think the connection is. Be sure to explain your rating.

You can record your ideas using a method of your choice.

1. Connection 1: This book made me think of the time I played on a soccer team with my friends. In the story, the character was playing soccer with his friends and scored the winning goal. I had a similar experience with my soccer team. During the last few minutes of the game, I scored the winning goal. I was very excited, just like the character in the story.
2. Connection 2: This book makes me think of a book I read one time about penguins because the character in this book likes penguins and knows a lot about them. It’s interesting.
3. Connection 3: After reading this text about April getting a cat, this reminded me of another story where the character adopted a new puppy. In both stories, the characters were excited and a little nervous about taking care of their new pets. They learned a lot about caring for animals.
4. Connection 4: This book made me think of a time I went to the movie theatre because the character in the book enjoyed a movie.

If you decided that the connection was a surface connection or was not deep enough, what could be added to it to make it deeper?

Task 1: Connection bingo

Select a text of your choice. This can be a book or audiobook, poem, or podcast that you’ve recently explored. Use the following fillable and printable Text Connections Bingo Board document to help you make text connections.

Your challenge is to come up with as many connections as possible. Record your responses on the bingo board. Alternatively, you can complete this activity in your notebook or use another method of your choice. Be sure to make deep connections!

Task 2: Reflection

Use the following questions to reflect on your learning.

1. How does making connections help you to understand a text?
2. Which text connection is more challenging to make? Explain your thinking.

Record your responses using a method of your choice.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.