Introduce Vocabulary: The Lion and the Mouse (Watts)

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 The Lion and the Mouse.

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.

entangled

Entangled means to get caught and stuck in something, like wire or bushes. What's the word?

It was sad that the pony got entangled in the rope and fell. Have you ever gotten entangled in a jump rope?

I'm going to name some things. If you think you could get caught and stuck in the thing, say entangled. Otherwise, don't say anything. Just sit quietly. Ready?

• A chair
• The sheets on your bed
• A shirt you pull over your head
• Your socks
• A wire fence

harmless

Harmless means something that could not hurt anyone. What's the word?

I'm not really afraid of a harmless little rabbit. You and your friends are harmless, because you wouldn't hurt anyone.

I'm going to name some animals. If you think the animal wouldn't hurt anyone, say harmless. Otherwise, don't say anything. Just sit quietly. Ready?

• A rattlesnake
• A puppy
• A chicken
• An alligator
• A duck

scampered

Scampered means to run lightly and quickly. What's the word?

The baby horses scampered in the field. When you run through the grass in your bare feet, you scamper.

I'm going to name some places. If you think you would run lightly and quickly in the place, say scampered. Otherwise, don't say anything. Just sit quietly. Ready?

• Your bed
• Your closet
• A car seat
• A playground
• A dance floor

snarled

Snarled means tangled and twisted into a mess. What's the word?

The girl's hair was so snarled that she cried when she brushed it. If you can't straighten out your jump rope, you might say it's snarled.

I'm going to name some items. If you think the item could be twisted into a mess, say snarled. Otherwise, don't say anything. Just sit quietly. Ready?

• A necklace
• A piece of yarn
• A board
• A crayon
• A kitten's fur

sparing

Sparing means not hurting. What's the word?

The lion decided to be nice and spare the mouse. If you spare your little brother or sister, it means you don't hurt him or her.

I'm going to name some things the lion might say to the mouse. If you think the lion is saying he won't hurt the mouse, say sparing. Otherwise, don't say anything. Just sit quietly. Ready?

• Come here so I can eat you.
• Say goodbye to your family.
• You can go now.
• I'm feeling nice today.
• Run away while you can.

terrified

Terrified means really scared. What's the word?

The little dog was terrified of the pack of bigger, mean-looking dogs. If you can't find your parents in a large crowd, you might become terrified.

I'm going to name some places. If you think you'd be really scared in the place, say terrified. Otherwise, don't say anything. Just sit quietly. Ready?

• In your mom's lap
• Safe in your own bed
• In a dark forest
• In a spooky house
• In a fast river

trembling

Trembling means shaking and shivering, usually because of cold or fear. What's the word?

After she fell in the lake, the little girl was trembling. If you had to walk on a stage in front of lots of people, you might tremble.

I'm going to name some animals. If you think the animal might be shaking or shivering because of cold or fear, say trembling. Otherwise, don't say anything. Just sit quietly. Ready?

• A mouse with a cat looking at it
• A cat hiding from a scary dog
• A kitten with its mama cat
• A small rabbit in a fast river
• A giraffe eating leaves

Adjust

For Advanced Students:

If time permits, have students create more examples of 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 to help students learn the words.

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