Introduce Vocabulary: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? (Yolen

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 How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?.

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.'

moan

Moan means a low noise an animal or person makes in their throats if they are afraid or sad. What’s the word?

I was spooked when I heard a moan coming from the woods. You might moan if you have a stomachache.

I’m going to name some sounds. If you think the sound is like a low noise made by an animal or a person in their throats, say moan. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Shout
• Shriek
• Grumble
• Groan
• Whistle

mope

Mope means to walk around sadly and not talk much. What’s the word?

Because a dog can’t talk, he will mope if he’s in pain. If something is the matter, you should just say what’s going on instead of moping around.

I’m going to name some people. If you think the person is being sad and not telling why, say mope. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A clown at the circus
• A girl turning summersaults
• A kid in the corner with his arms crossed and eyebrows down
• A girl hiding her face who won’t look at anyone
• A man selling ice cream

pout

Pout means to stick out your bottom lip so people know you’re unhappy. What’s the word?

If I pouted when I was a little kid, my mom told me to put that lip away or she’d make pout soup. Can you tell the difference between a pout and a smile?

I’m going to name some events. If you think the event would make you stick out your bottom lip and look unhappy, say pout'. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• The tooth fairy forgot to come and leave money for your tooth.
• You had your favorite breakfast this morning.
• You couldn’t find the jeans you wanted to wear to school.
• Your teacher gave you an extra-long recess.
• Your crayons melted in the sun.

sigh

Sigh means to let out a big breath to show that you’re bored or unhappy. What’s the word?

'The library was completely quiet, then I heard someone sigh and I thought they didn’t want to be there anymore. If you sigh, people think you’re unhappy.

I’m going to name some places. If you think spending a long amount of time at the place would cause you to let out a big breath, say sigh. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A magic show
• A speech about politics
• A zoo
• A museum showing slideshows about rocks
• An amusement park

sulk

Sulk means to act mad and sad and not tell anyone what’s the matter. What’s the word?

I find it difficult to deal with people who sulk instead of fixing the problem. It’s better to talk about your problems than to sulk.

I’m going to name some things a kid might do. If you think the kid is acting mad or sad and not talking, say sulk. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Flying a kite
• Petting some cute puppies
• Climbing a tree
• Standing alone and refusing to play
• Crying under the table

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