Introduce Vocabulary: A Taste of Honey (Wallace)

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 Taste of Honey.

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.

beekeeper

Beekeeper means a person who raises bees for honey. What’s the word?

A beekeeper must work hard to keep his bees healthy. If you’re not afraid of being stung sometimes, you could be a beekeeper. I’m going to name some clothes.

If you think a person who raises bees might wear the clothes on the job, say beekeeper. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A swimming suit
• High heels
• Heavy gloves
• Long sleeves
• A big face mask

hive

Hive means a place where bees live. What’s the word?

The inside of a beehive is made of wax. You can sometimes find a hive in a tree.

I’m going to name some items. If you think you’d find these items in a place where bees live, say hive. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Wax
• Furniture
• Baby bees
• Honey
• Light bulbs

honey

Honey means a sweet and sticky syrup made by bees. What’s the word?

Many people use honey in their tea or oatmeal. You might like to try honey instead of sugar on your fruit.

I’m going to name some foods. If you think a sweet syrup would taste yummy on the food, say honey. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Steak
• Blueberries
• Cereal
• Hot Tea
• Spaghetti

honeycomb

Honeycomb means the little rooms inside a hive where bees make honey. What’s the word?

Honeycomb rooms have five sides. If you touch a honeycomb, you’ll find it feels like wax.

I’m going to name some colors. If you think the rooms in a hive could be the same color, say honeycomb. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• White
• Dark blue
• Yellow
• Light orange
• Dark red

nectar

Nectar means a sweet liquid that plants make. What’s the word?

Sometimes any yummy drink is called nectar. If you are going to make punch, you might add apricot nectar because it’s very sweet.

I’m going to name some drinks. If you think the drink is very sweet, say nectar. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Pineapple juice
• Water
• Milk
• Apple juice
• Soda pop

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