Acquiring New Vocabulary Through Book Discussion Groups

This site opens to a preview/overview of the lesson and includes tabs that link to NCTE/IRA and state standards, resources and preparation, and the instructional plan with assessment. While reading the book Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco, students identify words that are unfamiliar to them. Working collaboratively in small groups, they discuss the meaning of these new words, using context clues from the text, prior knowledge, and both print and online resources. Students then apply their knowledge of the new vocabulary to further their understanding of the text. With moderate preparation and further research of topic-related resources, this lesson can be modifies and reused for other areas of the curriculum.

Standards & Objectives

Academic standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.6
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition,...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.5.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.5.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.10
By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 4-5 text...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.4
Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5
Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.6
Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently,...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.5
Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.9
Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
GLE 0301.1.2
Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0301.8.1
Use active comprehension strategies before, during, and after reading.
GLE 0401.1.2
Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0401.6.1
Apply skills and strategies to comprehend informational texts.
GLE 0401.8.1
Use active comprehension strategies to derive meaning while reading and check for understanding after reading.
GLE 0401.8.3
Know and understand the basic characteristics of the genres studied.
GLE 0501.1.1
Demonstrate knowledge of Standard English usage, mechanics, and spelling.
GLE 0501.1.2
Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0501.6.1
Apply appropriate skills and strategies to comprehend informational texts (e.g., pre-reading strategies, comprehension strategies, graphic organizers,...
GLE 0501.6.3
Explore the organizational structures of informational texts.
GLE 0501.8.1
Use previously learned comprehension strategies before, during, and after reading.
GLE 0501.8.2
Experience various literary genres, including fiction and nonfiction, poetry, drama, chapter books, biography/autobiography, short stories, folk tales, myths,...
GLE 0601.3.2
Employ various prewriting strategies.
SPI 0301.1.12
Choose correctly (or incorrectly) spelled words in context.
SPI 0301.1.15
Recognize root words and their various inflections (e.g., walks, walking, walked).
SPI 0301.1.16
Determine word meanings using prefixes, suffixes and/or context clues.
SPI 0301.1.19
Recognize grade appropriate vocabulary, including multiple-meaning words, within context.
SPI 0401.1.12
Select appropriate antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms within context.
SPI 0401.1.13
Recognize and use grade appropriate vocabulary within context.
SPI 0401.1.14
Use prefixes, suffixes, and root words as aids in determining meaning within context.
SPI 0401.1.16
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues, dictionaries, and glossaries.
SPI 0401.8.6
Identify and interpret similes and metaphors.
SPI 0501.1.11
Determine word meanings within context.
SPI 0501.1.12
Recognize root words, prefixes, and syllabication as aids in determining meaning within context.
SPI 0501.1.15
Recognize and use grade appropriate vocabulary within context.
SPI 0501.1.16
Determine the correct meaning/usage of multiple meaning words within context.
SPI 0501.1.2
Identify the correct use of verbs (i.e., action/linking, regular/irregular, agreement, tenses) within context.
SPI 0501.3.10
Select appropriate time-order or transitional words/phrases to enhance the flow of a writing sample.
SPI 0501.5.2
Identify stated or implied cause and effect relationships in text.
SPI 0501.8.7
Identify similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole in context.
TSS.ELA.3.FL.F.5
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
TSS.ELA.3.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.F.5
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7a
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of...
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7b
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7c
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions,...
TSS.ELA.4.RI.CS.5
Describe the overall structure of events, ideas, and concepts of information in a text or part of a text.
TSS.ELA.4.RI.RRTC.10
Read and comprehend stories and informational texts throughout the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding at the high end as needed.
TSS.ELA.4.RL.CS.5
Explain major differences between poems, drama, and stories, and refer to the structural elements when writing or speaking about a text.
TSS.ELA.4.RL.RRTC.10
Read and comprehend stories and poems throughout the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding at the high end as needed.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.F.5
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7a
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of...
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7b
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7c
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and...
TSS.ELA.5.RI.CS.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area, including figurative, connotative, and...
TSS.ELA.5.RI.CS.6
Analyze the similarities and differences in points of view of multiple accounts of the same event or topic.
TSS.ELA.5.RI.IKI.9
Integrate information from two or more texts on the same topic in order to build content knowledge.
TSS.ELA.5.RI.KID.2
Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
TSS.ELA.5.RI.KID.3
Explain the relationships and interactions among two or more individuals, events, and/or ideas in a text.
TSS.ELA.5.RI.RRTC.10
Read and comprehend stories and informational texts at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.CS.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language with emphasis on similes and metaphors; analyze the...
TSS.ELA.5.RL.CS.6
Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.IKI.9
Compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.KID.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.KID.3
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in a text.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.RRTC.10
Read and comprehend stories and poems at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
 
Alignment of this item to academic standards is based on recommendations from content creators, resource curators, and visitors to this website. It is the responsibility of each educator to verify that the materials are appropriate for your content area, aligned to current academic standards, and will be beneficial to your specific students.
 
Learning objectives: 

Students will:

  • Develop new strategies to enhance reading comprehension.
  • Locate unfamiliar words in a story and determine their meaning using a variety of strategies (e.g., prior knowledge, context clues, group discussion, media sources).
  • Acquire new vocabulary identified from the assigned text.
  • Enhance understanding of new vocabulary by making connections to related ideas and other words.
  • Aim to use new vocabulary in speaking and writing.
  • Aim to continually use the practiced strategies to enhance reading comprehension and acquire new vocabulary.
     

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Extension suggestions: 
  • Have students keep a word log during Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) as a way to repeat this activity regularly on an independent level. The lesson Using a Word Journal to Create a Personal Dictionary, although intended for grades 6–8, can easily be adapted for younger students. 
  • Practice the strategy using words that students encounter during their other classes. After introducing a word, ask students to predict what they think the word means, refer to the dictionary to find the actual definition, engage in a group discussion relating the word to their prior knowledge, and use the word in a sentence of their own. Continued repetition and practice with the strategy is beneficial.
  • Repeat this lesson with other trade books or basal assignments. Be sure to compile a list of age-appropriate resources related to the text selection to assist students in defining new words.

References

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