Introduce Vocabulary: The Lorax (Dr. Seuss)

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 Lorax.

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.

glance

Glance is a quick look. What’s the word?

I would never stare at the sun; even a quick glance could hurt my eyes. Give this bookcase a glance and see if you can find something you want to read.

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means a quick look, say glance. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Gaze
• Stare
• Peek
• Glimpse
• Ogle

intend

Intend means plan to do something. What’s the word?

I don’t intend to go anywhere this evening; I think I’ll just stay home. Did you intend to break my pencil, or was it an accident?

I’m going to name some things you have done. If you thought about and planned to do the thing, say intend. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• You were born
• You did your homework
• You wore those clothes today
• You played at recess
• You live in this town

lurk

Lurk means to wait around or wait in hiding. What’s the word?

The people who own the store don’t like it when people lurk around. It’s better to do your business and move on instead of lurking.

I’m going to name some places. If you think it’s OK to wait around or wait in hiding in the place, say lurk. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Your own room
• At the bank
• In the hospital
• At a store
• In the park

proper

Proper means right and correct. What’s the word?

It’s not proper for a stranger to offer you a ride. You must wear proper clothing when you go hiking; a hat and sturdy shoes.

I’m going to name some actions. If you think the action is right and correct for a child to do, say proper. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Play with blocks
• Play with matches
• Eat ice cream
• Smoke cigarettes
• Skip

weary

Weary means very tired and worn out. What’s the word?

The woman worked so hard at her job that she was too weary to go out to eat that evening. Does yard work make you weary?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means tired and worn out, say weary. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Frisky
• Exhausted
• Sleepy
• Drained
• Energetic

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.

Related activities

• All Vocabulary Activities