Introduce vocabulary: Moonbear's Bargain (Asch, 2000)

From FreeReading

Activity Type: Introduce

Activity Form: Standard

Grade: K, 1

Group Size: Small Group, Whole Class

Length: 30 minutes

Materials: Moonbear's Bargain, Frank Asch

Goal: Given a word, the student can say its meaning

Items: {{{items}}}

What to do

1. If more than three words are listed below, choose three. (It's tough for students to take in more than three new words in one go.) Write the three words on sentence strips (so they can easily be displayed after the lesson).
2. I'm going to read a new book to you today. It's called Moonbear's Bargain. It uses some words you might not know, so I'm going to tell you the words now. Then, when I read the story, I want you to raise your hand when you hear the word. Okay?
3. Tell students the three words and their meanings. Have them repeat the words back to you.
4. Remember, when you hear any of our three words, raise your hand. Ready?
5. Read the story. Praise students who correctly identify the words as you read. Repeat each word's meaning as you encounter it.
6. When you finish reading, go through the three words giving the complete sequence below for each word. You can give the examples/non-examples either to the whole group or to individual students. Feel free to add your own examples and non-examples, particularly if students seem unclear.
7. Optionally, read the story again.
8. Students need to encounter a word multiple times before learning it. So:
   • Try to find opportunities to use the three words during other activities in the next 24 hours.
   • Ask students to use the word themselves and praise them strongly when they do.
   • Be particularly excited about usage in contexts different from that in the book you read, since students often have difficulty dissociating a word and the specific context in which they first came across it.

blossom

• Blossom means to fill out and grow like a flower. What's the word?
• Spring is my favorite time of year, because the trees and flowers blossom. You will be able to watch dandelions blossom after it rains.
• I'm going to name some items. If you think the thing can fill out and grow, say blossom. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?
  • A rose
  • An apple tree
  • A ladybug
  • A tulip
  • A garbage truck

exclaim

• Exclaim means to say something loudly and in an excited way. What's the word?
• The little boy exclaimed "Help!" when a dog jumped at him. You might exclaim when you are frightened.
• I'm going to list some words. If you think I'm saying it loudly and in an excited way, say exclaim. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?
  • WOW!
  • Hello
  • OUCH!
  • LOOK OUT!
  • Good night

wither

• Wither means to get smaller and dry up. What's the word?
• The grass withered because it never got water. You might feel like you will wither if you have to play in the sun without a hat.
• I'm going to name some items. If the thing can get smaller and dry up, say wither. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?
  • A flagpole
  • A flower
  • A house plant
  • A bike
  • A bush