Introduce Vocabulary: Dandelion (Freeman)

From FreeReading

What to Do

Prepare

Select three Tier Two vocabulary words to teach your students. A list of suggested words appears below. Write the vocabulary words on the board or on chart paper.

Model/Instruct

1. Introduce the story.

Today we are going to read a story entitled Dandelion.

2. Introduce the three vocabulary words you have chosen.

Before we read the story, I want to introduce some new words that we will come across. Please repeat each word after I say it.

3. Read the story.

Let’s read the story. Make sure to listen for today’s vocabulary words and to think about how they are used in the story. If you hear a vocabulary word while I am reading, raise your hand.

4. Define key vocabulary words. See definitions below.

Let’s think about our vocabulary words. The word ______________ means ____________. Does anyone remember how this word was used in the text?

Call on students to answer the question. Then refer to the text to show how the word was used in context. Repeat this process for each vocabulary word.

Practice

Now let’s practice what we’ve learned.

dapper

Dapper means to be neat and very dressed up. What's the word?

She thought it was important to look dapper, not messy. If you wear dirty clothes, you will not appear dapper.

I'm going to name some items. If you think the item would help you to look dressed up, say dapper. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Shiny shoes
• A tucked in shirt
• Clean socks
• Muddy boots
• Messed up hair

elegant

Elegant means really fancy and fine. What's the word?

The couple was going to an elegant dinner, so they wore their best clothes. You will be elegant if you use your best manners.

I'm going to name some clothing. If you think someone would wear the clothing to look very fancy, say elegant. Otherwise, just stay quiet. Ready?

• Overalls
• Shorts
• A black suit
• A long shiny dress
• Pearls and diamonds

fluster

Fluster means to confuse someone and make them nervous. What's the word?

The basketball player tried to fluster the other player by calling them names. Every time you drop the baseball, you become more flustered.

I'm going to name some things that might happen. If you think the thing would fluster someone, say fluster. Otherwise, just stay quiet. Ready?

• The piano breaking when you are trying to play a song
• Your teacher telling you good job
• Scoring a soccer goal
• Tripping when you're running a race
• Taking a test that's really hard

magnificent

Magnificent means just great, really good, or impressive. What's the word?

The actors did such a good job; the play was magnificent! When you try your hardest, you can be magnificent.

I'm going to name some things your class might do. If your teacher would think the thing is just great, say magnificent. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Keeping the floor of the classroom very clean
• Being very loud
• Fighting
• Finishing all your work
• Remembering to say thank you

unfurl

Unfurl means to open something to its full size, or spread out. What's the word?

The flag unfurled as it went up the pole. When you open your hand from a fist to a flat hand, you have unfurled your fingers.

I'm going to name some objects. If the thing can be spread out, say unfurl. Otherwise, just stay quiet. Ready?

• A rolled up rug
• A bird's wings
• A basketball
• A rock
• Flower petals

Adjust

For Advanced Students:

If time permits, have students create more examples for the vocabulary words.

For Struggling Students:

If time permits, have students record the words on a Vocabulary Discovery Chart or in a Word Journal.

For ELL Students:

In order to help ELL students learn the words, it may be helpful to use realia and/or to teach cognates.

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