Introduce Vocabulary: Giggle, Giggle, Quack (Cronin)

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 Giggle, Giggle, Quack.

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.

influence

Influence means to push someone gently to do something. What's the word?

I would like to influence you to do your homework. If you set a good example for your little brother, you influence him to behave.

I'm going to name some behaviors. If you think your parents would like you to influence your little brother or sister to do the behavior, say influence. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Brush your teeth before bed
• Eat candy under the covers
• Clean your dirty dishes
• Throw away garbage
• Hide garbage in the couch

prefer

Prefer means you like something more than something else. What's the word?

I prefer noodles instead of rice. If you like oranges better than apples, you say, “I prefer oranges.”

I'm going to name some foods. If you like these foods more than most foods, say prefer. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Cookies
• Bananas
• Pancakes
• Vinegar
• Mayonnaise

sensitive

Sensitive means you have feelings and can understand others' feelings. What's the word?

The little boy was so kind and sensitive. If you help someone in trouble, you're showing that you are sensitive.

I will name some behaviors a child might do. If the behavior shows the child is careful of other people's feelings, say sensitive. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Helps an old person carry groceries
• Holds a friend's hand when she feels sad
• Gets a ball that's stuck in a tree for a little child
• Trips someone when they walk by
• Breaks someone's lamp

snicker

Snicker means a little laugh, sometimes to yourself. What's the word?

The boy didn't know if the play was supposed to be funny, so he snickered a little. When you are watching a cartoon, you snicker.

I'm going to name some TV shows. If you think the show is supposed to make you laugh, say snicker. Otherwise, just stay quiet. Ready?

• The news
• Cartoons
• An exercise show
• A funny kids' show
• An action movie

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