Introduce Vocabulary: A Picture Book of Abe Lincoln (Adler)

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 A Picture Book of Abe Lincoln.

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.

election

Election means the event when people vote to choose someone for a job. What’s the word?

The presidential election is held on a Tuesday in November. You are too young to vote in this election,

I’m going to name some people. If you think the people get their jobs from votes, say election. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Garbage man
• Mailman
• Mayor
• President
• Senator

favored

Favored means something that is liked or wanted more than other things. What’s the word?

All the other children felt that John was the favored student. You are favored by your parents.

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means wanted more than other things, say favored. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Disliked
• Chosen
• Preferred
• Special
• Undesirable

government

Government means the group of people who make the rules for a country. What’s the word?

The government of the United States is big. If you work for the government, you might be asked to make new laws.

I’m going to name some activities. If you think the group of people who make rules for the country make adults do these things, say government. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Drive safely
• Go to church
• Vote
• Pay taxes
• Have children

slave

Slave means a person who works for another person but doesn’t get paid for it. What’s the word?

My brother used to tell me I was his slave, even though I really wasn’t. You should hope no one is ever a slave again.

I’m going to name some activities. If you think people who were made to work for other people had to do the activity, say slave. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Work in the fields
• Take care of animals
• Relax
• Have fun
• Get paid lots of money

united

United is when a group of things combines to make one thing. What’s the word?

Our country is called the United States of America, because 50 states came together to make one country. Your fingers united make up your fist.

I’m going to name some things. If you think the thing has many parts that work together, say united. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• An army
• A team of horses
• A swimmer
• A baseball team
• A hammer

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