Introduce Vocabulary: Gregory, the Terrible Eater (Sharmat)

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 Gregory, the Terrible Eater.

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.

average

Average means right in the middle, not really great or really bad. What's the word?

She wasn't too upset that she scored average on her test. If you have just started taking piano lessons, you might be average when you play.

I'm going to name some items. If you think the item is not too hot and not too cold, say average. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A snowball
• The porridge Goldilocks liked
• Ice
• Cereal
• Fire

develop

Develop means to grow or turn into something else. What's the word?

The seed will develop into a big tree. You will develop better reading skills as you get older.

I'm going to name some things. If you think these things will grow or turn into something else, say develop. Otherwise, just stay quiet. Ready?

• A bird's egg
• A baby
• A doll
• A tadpole
• A pair of shoes

fussy

Fussy means upset and noisy. What's the word?

The baby hadn't had anything to eat, and so she was fussy. You have been fussy when you get too tired.

I'm going to name some things that happen. If you think the thing would make a little child upset and noisy, say fussy. Otherwise, just stay quiet. Ready?

• A bad sunburn
• A cool drink of water
• A toe that hurts
• Dirt in the eyes
• Flying a kite

revolting

Revolting means really yucky. What's the word?

Garbage piled in the alley is revolting. If you find a worm in your lunchbox, you might think that's revolting.

I'm going to name some items. If you think the item is really yucky, say revolting. Otherwise, just stay quiet. Ready?

• Gum stuck under a table
• Dead fish on the beach
• A yummy sandwich
• A clean bed
• New shoes

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

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