Introduce Vocabulary: Clap Your Hands (Cauley)

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 Clap Your Hands.

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.

dare

Dare means to do something bravely. What’s the word?

No one would dare to put his or her hand in a bear’s mouth. You would not dare to walk through the woods after dark.

I’m going to name some times that people must be brave. If you think you would feel brave about doing the activity, say dare. Otherwise stay quiet. Ready?

• Having a tooth pulled with no medication
• Reading in front of the class
• Walking in a very busy street
• Jumping in the ocean without knowing how to swim
• Taking violin lessons

flap

Flap means to wave your hands up and down like a bird moves its wings. What’s the word?

'Sometimes birds can fly without flapping their wings. If you’re pretending to be a hawk, flap your arms and dive around the room.

I’m going to name some items. If you think the item could be moved up and down like a bird moves its wings, say flap. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A car
• A flag
• Paper
• A long cape
• A refrigerator

frown

Frown means to put your eyebrows together and look mad or sad. What’s the word?

People frown but pets never do. You frown if you are unhappy.

I’m going to name some things that might happen. If you think the thing would make you put your eyebrows together and look mad or sad, say frown. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• You find a dollar.
• Your mom says you need a tooth pulled.
• The lunchroom serves your favorite lunch.
• You get splashed by a car on the way to school.
• You want to go swimming but find out the pool is closed.

spread

Spread can mean to open something wide. What’s the word?

The top blanket on a bed is called a bedspread because it’s opened wide across the bed. On a beautiful day you spread your arms to feel the sunshine.

I’m going to name some things. If you think the thing could be opened wide, say spread. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A newspaper
• A camera
• A book
• A chair
• A flag

stomp

Stomp means to use your feet to step hard on something. What’s the word?

Coming in the door with dirty feet, the children stomped on the mat to clean their shoes. If you’re dancing hard, you will stomp and move your feet.

I’m going to name some times. If you think it’s a good idea to step hard at the time, say stomp. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• When a baby is sleeping
• When you’re visiting an old folks’ home
• When you’re rooting for your team at a baseball game
• When you’re learning a fast new dance
• When you’re trying to get ants off your pants

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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