Introduce Vocabulary: The Itsy Bitsy Spider (Trapani)

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 The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

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.

dew

Dew means the drops of water that are found on grass and other outside surfaces in the morning. What’s the word?

My socks got wet when I ran through the dew with no shoes on. Do you ever want to taste the dew to see if it’s just like water?

I’m going to name some items. If you think the item might feel soft and wet like drops of water, say dew. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Soap suds
• Snowflakes
• Tears
• Sand
• Gravel

flick

Flick means to push something lightly and quickly. What’s the word?

When dirt got on my white dress, I tried to flick it away with a clean handkerchief. It won’t be hard for you to sweep the floor; just flick the dust into the pan with the broom.

I’m going to name some items. If you think the item is small enough to be pushed lightly, say flick. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A tree that’s fallen in the middle of the road
• A mosquito on your arm
• Crumbs
• A sofa
• Feathers

silky

Silky means something that feels soft and smooth, like silk. What’s the word?

The baby’s hair was soft and silky. Do you like the feeling of a silky blanket, or do you prefer flannel?

I’m going to name some items. If you think the items feels soft like silk, say silky. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A chick
• An iguana
• Satin cloth
• Nails
• The sidewalk

spout

Spout means the faucet that water comes out of. What’s the word?

The spout in the water fountain seems to be plugged, because the water is coming out really slowly. Did you clean the spout before you drank out of it?

I’m going to name some things. If you think you might use the thing with a faucet that water comes out of, say spout. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A dress you want to keep dry and clean
• A garden hose
• A bucket
• A frying pan
• Matches

Adjust

For Advanced Students:

If time permits, have students create more examples of 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 to help students learn the words.

Related activities

• All Vocabulary Activities