Furby

                         FURBY

The furby is making a come back!  A furby is a battery operated pet substitute.  It was originally created during the holiday season in 1998.  It was considered to be the "must have" from 1998 to 2000.  Over approximately two years, furby sold over 40 millions units.  Its original speaking capabilities were translated over 24 languages.  Furbies were the first successful attempt to produce and sell a programmed robot as a toy. 

The furby has now come back to the toy shelves for children!  They have come back to life in April of 2012.  This new furby has  more expensive LCD eyes, their own app and an ability to create their own personality and behavior. The furbies also are able to speak to other furbies and create relationships, such as friendships.  As of December 2012, there are 16 colors, ranging from furbies that are one color to furbies that are multiple colors.  They even have there own language.... FURBISH!!!!!!!!!!   They have many of their own sayings and expressions!  The furbish dictionary is available online for all of those people that do not speak Furbish.  These furbies also now have an ability to learn English and English expressions from hearing and listening to their owners while they are "awake." 

These furbies have become more life-like than the furbies in the past as well as becoming good friend with their owners.  Children truly love their furbies and are very proud to show them off.  The students in my class bring them in every Friday and the students play games with them and have them socialize with the other furbies.  It is a little creepy but very interesting to see a toy from the past make a come back into children's lives today.  

Vocabulary

1)  furby (noun): a machine toy that looks like an owl-like creature

2) battery (noun): a single cell that makes current or electricity

3) substitute (noun): something or someone that takes the place of another

4) approximately (adverb): almost exact or correct

5) expensive (adjective): cost alot

6) dictionary (noun): a book that contains words that are in alphabetical order

7) socialize (verb): to take part in activities with others

Vocabulary Activity

Directions: Unscramble the words to discover the vocabulary word that matches the definition.

1) ezilaicos : to take part in activities

2) onictyraid : a book that has words that are in alphabetical order

3) brufy: a machine toy that looks like an owl

4) ylapximaropte: almost exact

5) seutbustti: something or someone that takes the place of another

6) yarbtet: a single cell that makes current or electricity

7) eexvpiesn: cost alot

Grammar

Present tense: Verbs must always agree with the subject of the sentence.

A) Add "s" to the most present tense verbs to agree with singular subjects

For example: A furby moves in several ways.

B) Add "es"to the verbs that end in s,x,ss,ch,zz and sh.

For example: A furby marches to the beat of a song.

C) If the verb ends with a consonant and "y", change the y to i and add es.

For example: Furbies love to dance.

Grammar Activity

Directions: write the verb on the line and underline whether it is singular or plural.

Example: A furby dances to the music.

verb _dances__________     singular   plural

1) Furbies change their moods.

verb ______________    singular     plural

2) A furby comes in different colors.

verb ________________  singular   plural

3) Furbies talk alot.

verb ________________  singular  plural

4) Furbies move their ears when they dance.

verb _____________ singular   plural

5) All furbies speak in two languages.

verb ______________  singular   plural

6) Children love to play with their furby.

verb _________________  singular  plural

Dah-kah oo-nye!

(thank you!)