Introduce Vocabulary: Chrysanthemum (Henkes)

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 Chrysanthemum.

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.

begrudge

Begrudge means to want what someone else has. What's the word?

It's a waste of time to begrudge the birds their wings. If you want your brother's candy, you might say you begrudge him his candy.

I'm going to name some items. If you would want the item if it belonged to someone else, say begrudge. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A fun toy
• A yummy meal
• A blister
• A puppy
• A sunburn

indescribable

Indescribable means something that cannot be put into words. What's the word?

The sunny day was so beautiful it was indescribable. When you cannot think of words to say what happened, you could say what happened was indescribable.

I'm going to name some things. If you think the thing cannot be put into words, say indescribable. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• How it feels to fly like a bird
• How to make brownies
• How to use a lawn mower
• What show is on TV
• What the moon feels like

inform

Inform means to tell. What's the word?

The waiter informed me that my food was not yet ready. The teacher informed her students that they would have a substitute tomorrow.

I'm going to say some words. If you can tell me what they mean, say inform. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Cold
• Intrepid
• Scathing
• Easy
• Scratch

precious

Precious means something is very special or valuable. What's the word?

The boy loves all dogs, but the little puppy was the most precious. You are precious to your parents.

I'm going to name some items. If you think this item is very special or valuable, say precious. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Your favorite toy
• A tin can on the side of the road
• An old tire
• A diamond ring
• A book your mom has from when she was little

scarcely

Scarcely means not much or just a little bit. What's the word?

I was scarcely worried about riding my bike in the rain. If there's not much light in your room you can scarcely see.

I'm going to name some items. If you don't use the item very often, say scarcely. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Your pencil
• Your shoes
• Your mom's vacuum cleaner
• Your best outfit
• Your toothbrush

wilt

Wilt means to bend over and dry up. What's the word?

Flowers will wilt in the hot sun. If you play hard without drinking water you can feel like you will wilt.

I'm going to name some things. If you think the thing could get dried up without water, say wilt. Otherwise, just stay quiet. Ready?

• A bouquet of flowers
• A little tree
• A rock
• A window
• A weed

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