Introduce Vocabulary: Night Shift Daddy (Spinelli)

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 Night Shift Daddy.

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.

chime

Chime means the sound a bell makes when it is struck. What’s the word?

A wind chime was hanging outside the window making noise in the breeze. Have you heard the clock chime when the time is noon?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word is a little like the sound a bell makes, say chime. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Boom
• Ring
• Growl
• Ting-a-ling
• Crash

cozy

Cozy means snug and comfortable. What’s the word?

It’s nice to be indoors, all cozy, when there’s a storm outside. Do you feel cozy in your warm winter coat?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means snug and comfortable, say cozy. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Sore
• Warm
• Snugly
• Toasty
• Uncomfortable

nod

Nod means to say yes by moving your head up and down. What’s the word?

The woman taught her bird to nod when it wanted food. Just nod if you can hear me.

I’m going to name some questions. If the question makes you want to move your head up and down to say yes, say nod. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Have you ever been a dog?
• Do you like candy?
• Shall I pull your teeth?
• Can I give you some money?
• Do you like birthday parties?

pale

Pale means not very bright or colorful. What’s the word?

I like to wear pale colors in the summer because they are cooler than dark colors. Do you turn pale when you don’t feel well?

I’m going to name some words. If you think they mean not very bright or colorful, say pale. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Brilliant
• Dull
• Bright
• Colorless
• Almost white

shadows

Shadows means the dark places where there isn’t much light or sunshine. What’s the word?

Animals prefer to lie in the shadows so they don’t get too hot. Do you make a shadow when you stand outside in the sun?

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word describes the dark places where there isn’t much light, say shadows. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Sunny
• Gloom
• Darkness
• Brightness
• Sparkly

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