Introduce Vocabulary: The Reasons for the Seasons (Gibbons)

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 Reasons for the Seasons.

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.

absorb

Absorb means to take in or soak up a liquid or a meaning of something. What’s the word?

This towel will absorb more liquid than that paper towel. Listen closely, and you will absorb the meaning of the song.

I’m going to name some items. If you think a sponge could take in the item, say absorb. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Water
• Milk
• Legos
• Juice
• The floor

affect

Affect means to act upon or make a change in somebody or something. What’s the word?

Did chewing on rocks affect the dog’s teeth? How did the movie affect you?

I’m going to name some things that might happen. If you think the thing might change you, say affect. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A little rain falls during the night
• You get a new teacher
• A bug on the playground blows away
• Your parents buy a new house
• Your friend moves away

alternate

Alternate means to go back and forth between two or more things. What’s the word?

The man tries to alternate the route he walks to work so he doesn’t get bored. It’s healthier for you to alternate the foods you eat, instead of eating the same thing all the time.

I’m going to name some things. If you think you can switch the thing with something else, say alternate. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Your eye color
• Your socks
• The pencil you write with
• Your stomach
• The TV show you watch

migrate

Migrate means to move from one place to another. What’s the word?

Some birds migrate twice a year when the seasons change, while humans usually stay put. Did you migrate toward the kitchen when you smelled cookies baking?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means to move from one place to another, say migrate. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Travel
• Wander
• Roam
• Settle
• Stay

prepare

Prepare means to get ready to do or make something. What’s the word?

The woman told her husband she would prepare his favorite meal. To prepare to go to school in the morning, you should choose your clothes the night before.

I’m going to name some things you might do. If you think you’d do the thing to get ready for a trip, say prepare. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Look at a map to see how to get there
• Watch TV
• Talk with a friend
• Dance
• Pack clothes

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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