Introduce vocabulary: Dandelion (Freeman, 1977)

From FreeReading

Activity Type: Introduce

Activity Form: Standard

Grade: K, 1

Group Size: Small Group, Whole Class

Length: 30 minutes

Materials: Dandelion, Don Freeman

Goal: Given a word, the student can say its meaning

Items: dapper, elegant, fluster, magnificent, unfurl

What to do

1. If more than three words are listed below, choose three. (It's tough for students to take in more than three new words in one go.) Write the three words on sentence strips (so they can easily be displayed after the lesson).
2. I'm going to read a new book to you today. It's called Dandelion. It uses some words you might not know, so I'm going to tell you the words now. Then, when I read the story, I want you to raise your hand when you hear the word. Okay?
3. Tell students the three words and their meanings. Have them repeat the words back to you.
4. Remember, when you hear any of our three words, raise your hand. Ready?
5. Read the story. Praise students who correctly identify the words as you read. Repeat each word's meaning as you encounter it.
6. When you finish reading, go through the three words giving the complete sequence below for each word. You can give the examples/non-examples either to the whole group or to individual students. Feel free to add your own examples and non-examples, particularly if students seem unclear.
7. Optionally, read the story again.
8. Students need to encounter a word multiple times before learning it. So:
   • Try to find opportunities to use the three words during other activities in the next 24 hours.
   • Ask students to use the word themselves and praise them strongly when they do.
   • Be particularly excited about usage in contexts different from that in the book you read, since students often have difficulty dissociating a word and the specific context in which they first came across it.

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 him 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 well done. 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?
  • Keep the floor of the classroom very clean.
  • Be very loud.
  • Fight.
  • Finish all your work.
  • Remember 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