At the Pond
Eight new words, and the ways to make them yours.
Meet each word one at a time, then take the quiz to lock them in.
Wonderful Words · Today with the Mayor
At the Pond
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Nelson's word
pond
noun
Pond. A noun, and I file it under quiet places. A pond is a small patch of still water, smaller than a lake, calm on top. Ducks paddle on it, frogs sit beside it, and fish hide under it. It does not rush like a river. It just sits and waits. If the water is small and still, I file it under pond.
The ducks swim on the pond.
Ways to know it
MeaningWord Detective
Nelson's word
pebble
noun
Pebble. A noun, and a tiny one. A pebble is a small, round stone, the kind that fits in your hand, smooth from the water. You find pebbles by a pond. You skip them on the water. You keep the best one in your pocket. It is not a big rock. It is a little stone. If it is small and smooth and round, I file it under pebble.
I found a smooth pebble by the water.
Ways to know it
MeaningWord Detective
Vinny's word
splash
verb
Splash! Now THAT is a verb. To splash is to throw water so it flies up in the air: the kids splash in the pond, the dog splashes through the puddle, you splash your friend and run. It is a doing word, and it is wet when it does it. But keep your eyes open, because this word can wear a second hat, and we will catch it wearing it later.
The kids splash in the pond.
Ways to know it
MeaningMany Hats
Vinny's word
drip
verb
Drip. A small but mighty verb. To drip is to fall in tiny drops, one at a time: the rain drips off the leaves, the wet towel drips on the floor, your ice cream drips down your hand on a hot day. Drip, drip, drip. It is slow, and it is little, but it is still a doing word, and I do love a doing word.
The rain drips off the leaves.
Ways to know it
MeaningWord Detective
Jake's word
damp
adjective
Damp. Oh, I like this one, and it is mine, because it describes. Damp means a little bit wet, not soaked, just wet enough to feel it: damp grass in the morning, a damp towel, damp socks after a walk. Could we be more specific than 'wet'? We could. If something is only a little wet, we could say damp. That is the fun of a describing word: it tells you exactly how wet.
The grass is damp in the morning.
Ways to know it
MeaningSmile or Frown
Jake's word
sandy
adjective
Sandy. A describing word, and a fun one to say. Sandy means covered with sand: a sandy beach, sandy feet, a sandy little path by the pond. And where does the word come from? From sand. Say sand, then add a y: sandy. That little y means covered with, or full of. So next time your toes are covered in sand, you know just the word. Could we be more specific than 'dirty'? We could say sandy.
My feet are sandy after the beach.
Ways to know it
MeaningSmile or FrownWord Family
Benny's word
gently
adverb
Gently. This is an adverb, and it is mine, because it tells you HOW. Gently means in a soft, careful way: she gently sets the frog back in the water, he gently pats the puppy, we gently open the door so no one wakes up. Here is your coaching for the day. When you do a thing kindly and softly, gently is the word that says so. Reach for it, and your sentence gets sharper.
She gently sets the frog back in the water.
Ways to know it
MeaningSmile or Frown
Benny's word
safely
adverb
Safely. Another adverb of mine, and it tells you HOW someone does a thing. Safely means in a careful way that keeps you from harm: she safely steps over the wet rocks, he safely carries the pail back from the pond. When you do a thing safely, nobody gets hurt. Here is my coaching tip: do not just say she walked home. Tell me she walked home safely, and now I know she got there with no scrapes. You can do this, and it makes your writing shine.
She safely steps over the wet, slippery rocks.
Ways to know it
MeaningSmile or Frown
