Languages and literacy
Nature vocabulary: six English picture cards
Six cards pair a word, a picture, a short definition and an example sentence.
Match the nature picture to its English word. Say a short sentence using the example as a starting point.
Read the complete materialRead the material
Six cards pair a word, a picture, a short definition and an example sentence.
Pupil cards and task. Use the preview for diagrams and layout.
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Nature vocabulary: six English picture cards Pupil cards and task Six cards pair a word, a picture, a short definition and an example sentence. Cut along the dashed borders. Single-sided cards; 4 mm spacing between cards. sun The star that gives Earth light and heat. The sun is bright. moon The natural object that travels around Earth. I can see the moon. star A bright object in space that gives off its own light. A star shines in the night sky. rain Drops of water that fall from clouds. The rain makes the path wet. Pupil cards and task Page 1 of 2
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Nature vocabulary: six English picture cards leaf A flat part of a plant that usually helps it make food. The leaf is green. flower A part of a flowering plant that can help it make seeds. The flower has petals. Use the cards Choose two or three words. Say a word, point to the picture and invite pupils to identify it or use it in a sentence. Ask what the picture helps us notice and what it leaves out. Keep the cards whole for display, or have an adult prepare any cut cards. This English example is a separate language variant. It does not establish the availability or accuracy of the Mandarin characters and Pinyin named in the source brief. Pupil cards and task Page 2 of 2
A teaching sequence
Recognise and explain selected nature words by connecting each word with its picture, definition and example sentence.
Match the nature picture to its English word. Say a short sentence using the example as a starting point.
Read the complete materialName a nature picture
Show one selected card and say the word. Invite pupils to identify it from the picture or use the word in a sentence.
Which detail helps you recognise this English word?
Read definition and example
Read the short definition and example sentence together. Ask what the picture helps pupils notice about the word.
What does the example sentence add to the picture?
Consider what the picture omits
Ask what the picture leaves out, then invite a spoken or written example that uses the word in context.
What real feature is simplified or missing from the card?
Compare another whole card
Move to another selected card and compare how its picture, definition and sentence help explain that word.
How do picture, definition and sentence help with the second word?
Before you teach
Look for the thinking behind an answer, choose the support your class needs and leave room for an independent response.
What to look for
Look for a pupil identifying a word from its card or using it in a relevant sentence. For example, a pupil might explain that rain falls from clouds or say, “Rain made my coat wet.” Ask, “What else could rain make wet outside?” Invite an explanation; a copied example alone does not show understanding.
Give a little support
Begin with two cards. Say each word aloud, read the definition and example, and let pupils point to a card before asking for a sentence. Offer the picture as a prompt without requiring pupils to read aloud.
Take the idea further
Invite pupils to choose one word and make a new example sentence for the lesson. Ask how the picture supports the meaning and what additional detail a different picture would need to show.
Things to keep in mind
These six cards are in English only. They do not include Mandarin characters or Pinyin. Review the definitions, examples, picture accuracy, reading demand and print size for the class and lesson before use.
Keep the idea. Make it yours.
Bring your topic, learning goal and class context to PLAI™, then review what you create.
Ideas to try with your class
Sample teaching perspectives on what to try, what to adapt and what to watch for.
Meet The Creators
Meet the creators whose teaching interests connect with this template. Find an approach to try with your class.
Marisol Delos Santos
I use stories, rhymes, songs and movement to give children different ways to hear and use English, working alongside the class teacher to connect language with the wider day.
Meet the creator
Tran Le Quyen
I plan playful English sessions with songs, rhyme and movement alongside class teachers, connecting the language sequence to the group’s current activity and the wider learning day.
Meet the creatorAileen Kwok
A pupil may need to listen, use a gesture, try a word or practise it with a partner before sharing it with the class.
Meet the creatorEwa Kaczmarek
A picture, key word or translated text can support participation, but the teacher still needs to check accuracy and purpose.
Meet the creator
Holly Rimmer
I support bilingual and EAL learners with task breakdowns and check-ins, working with teachers to clarify directions and vocabulary while keeping the subject’s language demand visible.
Meet the creator
One More Question
These two-page English nature cards pair six words (sun, moon, star, rain, leaf and flower) with a picture, a short definition and an example sentence. Pupils connect the parts of a card to recognise and explain the word.
Step by Step
A definition and sentence put each nature term into a simple context rather than leaving it as an image label. The cut-card format supports matching and later recall.
Extra Page
Show the picture first, invite the pupil to say or point to the word, then cover the definition and ask for recall. Read the example aloud if needed and let the pupil revisit the card.
Five More Minutes
These cards teach six selected English words only. Check that the sun, moon, star, rain, leaf and flower pictures match their simple examples; the lines support vocabulary recall rather than full science learning.