Introduce Vocabulary: Peter’s Chair (Keats)

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 Peter's Chair.

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.

fussing

Fussing means moving around and worrying a lot. What's the word?

The mom was fussing around her sick child. If you're not feeling well, you might be fussing.

I'm going to name some people. If you think the person might be moving around and worrying, say 'fussing'. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A baby who is hungry
  
• A happy, sleeping baby
  
• An auntie worried about her niece who scraped her knee
  
• A teacher who is missing one of her students
  
• A child playing with friends

mutter

Mutter means to talk quietly so others can barely hear it. What's the word?

A teacher can’t hear it when the student mutters the answer. If you want people to understand you, you should speak loudly, not mutter.

I'm going to name some people. If you think the people are speaking so quietly that others can barely hear, say mutter. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A cheerleader at a game
  
• A fireman asking if everyone is out of a burning building
  
• A woman in a library reading to herself
  
• A man in a grocery store trying to remember what he needs to buy
  
• Children playing on a slide
  

rascal

Rascal means a person who does sneaky or naughty things. What's the word?

Sometimes raccoons are called rascals because they like to steal things. Your Dad might call you a rascal if you jump out of a hiding place and scare him.

I'm going to name some behaviors. If you think the behavior is sneaky, say rascal. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Hiding classmates' markers
  
• Turning out the light when someone is reading
  
• Putting grease on a doorknob
• Helping set the table for supper
• Riding a bike to school

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