Introduce Vocabulary: The Grouchy Ladybug (Carle)

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 Grouchy Ladybug.

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.

insist

Insist means to demand something. What’s the word?

The father insisted that the children clean up their rooms. Did you insist on your favorite breakfast, or take whatever was given to you?

I’m going to name some things. If you think a baby would demand the things before it could fall asleep, say insist. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• To be dressed in a blue outfit only
• To be dry
• To be warm
• To have a full tummy
• To listen to the news first

encountered

Encountered means met. What’s the word?

I walked through the forest at night and encountered a spooky shadow. Have you encountered the principal as you walked through the halls?

I’m going to name some animals. If you think you could meet the animal in your town, say encounter. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A gorilla
• A squirrel
• A cat
• A polar bear
• A butterfly

grouchy

Grouchy means crabby and not in a good mood. What’s the word?

I’m afraid I get grouchy when I’m hungry. It’s better to come to school in a good mood than to be grouchy.

I’m going to name some things. If you think the thing might make an adult crabby and in a bad mood, say grouchy. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Getting a flat tire on the way to work
• Getting a letter from a good friend
• Having a favorite lunch
• A strong wind comes and ruins the roses
• When others act crabby first

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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