New
New
Year 4

At the zoo: writing using a word list for reference

Learning outcomes

I can write a description using a word list for reference and a range of adjectives.

I can read unfamiliar words with sounds [ga], [go], [gu] and [ge], [gi] with confidence.

New
New
Year 4

At the zoo: writing using a word list for reference

Learning outcomes

I can write a description using a word list for reference and a range of adjectives.

I can read unfamiliar words with sounds [ga], [go], [gu] and [ge], [gi] with confidence.

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Lesson details

Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

Key learning points

  1. [ga], [go] and [gu] have a hard ‘g’ sound; [ge] and [gi] have a softer ‘g’ sound.
  2. Symbols in a word list for reference provide with useful information about the type of word and noun gender.
  3. A word list for reference is a useful tool for independent writing.
  4. Understanding symbols in a word list allows us to use correct indefinite articles and adjectival agreement.

Keywords

  • Indefinite article - the words un and una, meaning a/an

  • Noun - word for a person, place or thing

  • Adjective - word that gives information about a noun

  • Hay - Spanish word meaning there is or there are

Common misconception

A word list or dictionary gives you just the word and the definition.

Word lists and dictionaries use symbols to give information on the type of word and the noun gender.


To help you plan your year 4 Spanish lesson on: At the zoo: writing using a word list for reference, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Time could be allocated to allow pupils to look up additional animals using online reference sites or bilingual dictionaries.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which sound-symbol correspondence (SSC) is missing from these words? se__ndo; mucho __sto, __sano?
ga
ge
gi
go
Correct answer: gu
Q2.
Which description best describes this group of words: gema, gimnasia, gusano, gato, girasol?
The words all begin with a hard [g] sound.
The words all begin with a soft [g] sound.
Correct answer: The words begin with a mixture of soft and hard [g] sounds.
Q3.
Complete the sentence: Adjectives change depending on whether the noun they describe is masculine or ...
Correct Answer: feminine
Q4.
'Es rápido y contento' could describe:
Correct answer: el conejo
la tortuga
either el conejo or la tortuga
neither el conejo nor la tortuga
Q5.
¿Cómo es el elefante? Choose the response that says: 'The elephant is big and slow'.
El elefante es lento y grande.
Correct answer: El elefante es grande y lento.
El elefante es serio y lento.
El elefante es lento y serio.
Q6.
Write in Spanish: 'The rabbit is different and kind.'
Correct Answer: El conejo es diferente y amabl

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which words have the same [g] sound as 'gato'?
Correct answer: algo
Correct answer: tortuga
gema
girasol
Correct answer: guantes
Q2.
Match the Spanish and the English.
Correct Answer:nervioso,nervous

nervous

Correct Answer:inteligente,intelligent

intelligent

Correct Answer:rápido,fast

fast

Correct Answer:amable,nice, kind

nice, kind

Correct Answer:divertido,fun, funny

fun, funny

Correct Answer:serio,serious

serious

Q3.
Which of the following sentences says: 'The tiger is too fast'?
El tigre es rápido.
El tigre es amable.
Correct answer: El tigre es demasiado rápido.
El tigre es demasiado amable.
Q4.
Match the Spanish and the English.
Correct Answer:caminar,to walk, walking

to walk, walking

Correct Answer:nadar,to swim, swimming

to swim, swimming

Correct Answer:el pueblo,the village

the village

Correct Answer:la playa,the beach

the beach

Correct Answer:de,from, of

from, of

Correct Answer:por,through, along, around

through, along, around

Q5.
Translate this sentence: 'Hay un conejo serio.'
Correct Answer: There is a serious rabbit.
Q6.
Order the words to say: 'In the zoo, there is a curious bear'.
1 - en
2 - el
3 - zoo
4 - hay
5 - un
6 - oso
7 - curioso

Additional material

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