Introduce Vocabulary: The Five Chinese Brothers (Bishop)

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 The Five Chinese Brothers.

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.

consented

Consented means agreed to. What’s the word?

The woman consented to marry her boyfriend. Have you consented to allowing your friend to use your crayons?

I’m going to name some words. If you think you’d say the word when agreeing to something, say consented. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• No
• Don’t
• OK
• Sure
• Go ahead

desperate

Desperate means so worried that you have no hope. What’s the word?

The mom felt desperate until her lost child was found. The very dry dirt in the garden was desperate for some water.

I’m going to name some animals. If you think the animal might feel really worried, say desperate. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A mouse caught in a trap
• A fish on a hook
• A bird in its nest
• A bear eating berries
• A dog in its yard

innocent

Innocent means not guilty, or not doing anything wrong. What’s the word?

A baby is innocent because he hasn’t been around long enough to be naughty. Did you say, “I’m innocent” when someone asked who took the cookies?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means not doing anything wrong, say innocent. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Not guilty
• In trouble
• Naughty
• Blameless
• Good

obey

Obey means to do what you’re told. What’s the word?

The man wanted a dog that would obey simple commands like “sit.” You should obey your parents and teachers.

I’m going to name some kids. If you think the kids are doing what they are told, say obey. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A child who leaves her mess for others to clean up
• A child who puts things back where she found them
• A child who walks quietly in the hall
• A child who takes other people’s supplies
• A child who reads during reading time

witness

Witness means to see something happen. What’s the word?

I saw the Berlin wall come down on TV, but I wasn’t there to witness it in person. Did you witness the car accident?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means to see something happen, say witness. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Observe
• Hide
• Watch
• Look at
• Closed eyes

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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