Introduce Vocabulary: Clifford the Big Red Dog (Bridwell)

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 Clifford the Big Red Dog.

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.

habit

Habit means something you do so much you don't even think about it. What's the word?

The girl turns out the light when she leaves her bedroom; it's become a habit. You tie your shoes without thinking about it because it's a habit.

I will list some things people do. If you think the activity is done very often, say habit. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Turn on lights when it's dark
• Sharpen your pencils before class starts
• Put on shoes after your socks
• Open birthday presents
• Go to the zoo

perfect

Perfect means just right. What's the word?

He was happy that the first cake he ever baked turned out perfect. You can practice a song until you can sing it perfectly.

I'm going to name some things you will learn to do. If you think you can learn to do the thing with no mistakes, say perfect. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Say the alphabet
• Write your name
• Fly to the moon
• Build a house
• Tie your shoelaces

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.

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