Introduce Vocabulary: A House for Hermit Crab (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 A House for Hermit Crab.

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.

debris

Debris means garbage or litter. What’s the word?

It’s disappointing to see so much debris floating on the water. Was there much debris left lying around when your balloon popped?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means garbage, say debris. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Trash
• Necessary
• Rubbish
• Treasure
• Valuable

dim

Dim means dull and not bright. What’s the word?

The light bulb was just about ready to burn out, so it was dim. Do you like to read in dim light or bright light?

I’m going to name some things. If you think the thing is not bright, say dim. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• The middle of a thick forest
• Evening
• A flashlight with a weak battery
• A sparkler
• Fireworks

tidy

Tidy means neat and clean. What’s the word?

Some people always keep a tidy house, while other people are messier. Tidy up your room before you go play.

I’m going to name some places. If you think the place is neat and clean, say tidy. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• The ground in the forest after all the leaves have fallen off the trees
• A doghouse with puppies
• The living room of an old lady with no children
• The daycare dining room after lunch
• A kitchen floor after being swept and vacuumed

willing

Willing means agreeing to do something. What’s the word?

I’d be willing to help with the pizza party. Are you willing to work hard to earn some money?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means agreeing to do something, say willing. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Disagreeable
• Ready
• Cooperative
• Happily doing
• Unavailable

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