Introduce vocabulary: Froggy Goes to School (London, 1998)

From FreeReading

Activity Type: Introduce

Activity Form: Standard

Grade: K, 1

Group Size: Small Group, Whole Class

Length: 30 minutes

Materials: Froggy Goes to School, Jonathan London

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

Items: nervous, squirm

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 Froggy Goes to School. 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.

nervous

• Nervous means a little scared. What's the word?
• The man was nervous to sing in front of an audience. You will be nervous if you are asked to tell a joke to a large group of people.
• I'm going to name some things you do. If you think the event would make you a little scared, say nervous. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?
  • Sitting on mom's lap reading a book
  • Watching your favorite TV show
  • Asking someone you don't know for a favor
  • Getting a shot at the doctor's office
  • Dancing in front of an audience

squirm

• Squirm means to twist around like you're uncomfortable. What's the word?
• Since the child wasn't allowed to stand up, she squirmed in her chair. You might squirm if the desk you're sitting in is too small.
• I'm going to name some places to sit. If you think you'd be uncomfortable in the place, say squirm. Otherwise, keep quiet. Ready?
  • Soft grass
  • A hard bench
  • Your bed
  • A small stool
  • Mom's lap