Introduce Vocabulary: One Tiny Turtle (Davies)

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 One Tiny Turtle.

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.

armor

Armor means a suit or covering that protects whoever wears it. What’s the word?

Many animals have protective skin that’s like armor. Have you ever seen a metal suit of armor that soldiers used to wear?

I’m going to name some materials. If you think that a protective suit might be made from the material, say armor. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Cotton
• Steel
• Hard plastic
• Soft wool
• Leather

compass

Compass means a tool that helps you find the right direction. What’s the word?

New cars have a built-in compass so the driver doesn’t get lost. Have you ever learned how to use a magnetic compass?

I’m going to name some places. If you think a tool to help find the right direction would be helpful in the place, say compass. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Your bedroom
• The forest
• A strange city
• The playground
• The mountains

glimpse

Glimpse means to look at something very quickly. What’s the word?

The child tried to glimpse the hidden birthday presents. If you watch someone walking into a house, you might glimpse the inside before the door closes.

I’m going to name some words. If you think the word means to look at something very quickly, say glimpse. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Peek
• Stare
• Glance
• Gaze
• Watch

nursery

Nursery means a place where newborn babies, animals, or plants are taken care of while they grow. What’s the word?

When babies are born in the hospital, they might sleep in their mom’s room, or they might be placed in the nursery. Have you been to a nursery where little trees are raised?

I’m going to name some items. If you think the item might be found in a place where babies are taken care of, say nursery. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A bulldozer
• A diaper
• Washcloths
• Clean clothes
• Sausages

surface

Surface means the top of something. What’s the word?

The surface of the new couch is completely washable. Have you ever looked under the surface of the ocean?

I’m going to name some animals. If you think you might find the animal on top of the water, say surface. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A seagull
• An octopus
• A duck
• A crab
• A goldfish

vanish

Vanish means to disappear from sight. What’s the word?

The magician had a trick where he made an elephant vanish. When you play hide and seek, you try to vanish so no one can find you.

I’m going to name some things. If you think the thing can disappear from sight, say vanish. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Steam
• A bubble
• A chicken
• A table
• A drink of water

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