Introduce Vocabulary: Black Bear Cub (Lind)

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 Black Bear Cub.

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.

cub

Cub means a baby bear. What’s the word?

A mama bear will do anything to protect her cub. You are kind of like a cub to your parents.

I’m going to name some places. If you think it’s possible to see a baby bear in these places, say cub. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Your locker
• The circus
• The zoo
• Under your bed
• In the woods

den

Den means a place where wild animals like bears live and sleep. What’s the word?

It’s warm and cozy in a bear den. Would you rather sleep in your bed or in a den?

I’m going to name some things. If you think you could find these things in a place where wild animals sleep, say den. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Twigs and leaves
• Dirt
• Baby animals
• Plates and cups
• Toothbrushes

forage

Forage means to look and dig for food among the bushes and dirt. What’s the word?

A baby animal will learn how to forage by watching its parents. You are lucky because food is given to you so you don’t have to forage.

I’m going to name some foods. If you think the food could be found by looking and digging in dirt and bushes, say forage. Otherwise stay quiet. Ready?

• Berries
• Carrots
• Casserole
• Cheese sandwich
• Lettuce

Lure

Lure means to attract an animal with food. What’s the word?

Scientists trying to catch wolves will lure them with meat, not vegetables. If your mom wants you to eat a good meal, she may lure you with your favorite meal.

I’m going to name some items. If you think the items would attract an animal, say lure. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Steak
• Bread
• Dog food
• Vinegar
• Lemon juice

scarce

Scarce means there’s not very much of something. What’s the word?

In the winter, green plants for the deer to eat are scarce. If your mom doesn’t buy much chocolate, you can say it’s scarce.

I’m going to name some items. If you think there’s not very much of the item, say scarce. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Water in the desert
• Flowers in a cave
• Fish in the ocean
• Food at the grocery store
• Deer in a city

sense

Sense means to be able to feel something or know it’s around. What’s the word?

Sometimes birds and animals can sense a storm coming. You can sense the sunshine even with your eyes closed because it feels warm.

I’m going to name some things. If you think you’d be able to feel the thing or know it’s around even with your eyes closed, say sense. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• Rain
• A noisy flock of chickens
• A cloud
• Wind
• A mouse under the grass

survive

Survive means to be able to find food, water, and shelter and to stay alive. What’s the word?

Baby animals cannot survive without their mothers. Would you know how to survive a snowstorm?

I’m going to name some things. If you think the thing would be able to find food and shelter and stay alive, say survive. Otherwise, stay quiet. Ready?

• A monkey in the jungle
• A newborn baby
• A walrus in the ocean
• A walrus in the jungle
• A camel in the desert

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.

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