We're Going to the Zoo- How About You?

   My friend told me yesterday that he ventured to the Bronx Zoo for his birthday.  I haven’t been there in at least fifteen years.  I think the last time was when my two twin cousins turned four years old and the family went for their birthday.  It has been too long and I’d like to go back.  I have always been an animal enthusiast and enjoyed field trips to places where we could observe and interact with animals.  One time, while watching a Bird’s of Prey show at the zoo, I volunteered to be part of the show because I wanted to try something new.  They had me wear a special glove so a hawk with sharp talons could land on it.  I never knew how big hawks were- they’re intimidating!  I went back to my seat before they brought out the vulture.  It was even bigger than the hawk.  Its wingspan was eight feet across.  Luckily, they said it recently ate, otherwise I would’ve had to pray it didn’t eat me!

VOCABULARY:

Venture:              (v.) to go

Enthusiast:         (n.) someone who is enjoys and is interested in something

Observe:             (v.) to watch/ look at

Interact:               (v.) to have contact with

Prey:                     (n.) animal being hunted for food

Volunteer:          (v.) to offer services for free

Hawk:                   (n.) type of bird that eats meat

Talon:                   (n.) strong, clawed foot of a bird of prey

Intimidate:         (v.) to scare/ make uneasy

Vulture:               (n.) large bird that eats meat (larger than a hawk)\

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY:

Find each vocabulary word in the word search below.

D I W T T E I J E Y G R E L I

B Q K M Q N Y U R A I M J X E

X J C K G T V H U N K W I V A

V A V X C H O P T W Y G R C W

Q I L H J U K I N S I E V K W

T E Z T S S M S E B S D C E D

T Z O H C I B R V B U H L K T

N A A T D A U T O I B V E W J

J W L A D S R I I T R B F B D

K S T O K T G E V U L T U R E

O E S Z N B M W T S L B N B Z

P D N P W X W U A N R G R F U

R F E U Z D K N U U I H P N A

E O Z A U U R E E T N U L O V

Y A C G U G Y F I L B Z Z A C

GRAMMAR POINT:

Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings and may be spelled differently.  (The word “homophone” comes from the Greek word “homos” which means “same,” and “phone” which means “sound.”) The homophones in the text above are written in italics. 

(to, two, too, there, their, they’re, where, wear, prey, pray, knew, new, eight, ate)

GRAMMAR ACTIVITY:

Write one sentence for each group of homophones.  Example (I went to the store to buy two balloons but they were too expensive.)