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Introduce Vocabulary: Kindergarten Count to 100 (Rogers)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Combine counting and vocabulary in context using Jacqueline Rogers' Kindergarten Count to 100. Suggested words for this text are: first, fountain, salute, second, and third. By introducing the terms before reading the text,...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Mama, Do You Love Me? (Joosse)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Barbara Joosse approaches an age-old question through an equally traditional culture in her story Mama, Do You Love Me?, which helps budding readers explore Native American vocabulary in context. Here you'll find...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Night Shift Daddy (Spinelli)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Do any of your budding readers have parents who work the night shift? Eileen Spinelli's book Night Shift Daddy, which can be found on YouTube if you don't have it, examines this family dynamic in a positive light and is an...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Pinkalicious (Kann)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Although the title of Elizabeth Kann's story Pinkalicious isn't a real word, the book is an excellent way to explore some new vocabulary in context: acute, mushy, rare, steady, and surrounded. Find the...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Puff, the Magic Dragon (Yarrow and Lipton)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Puff the Magic Dragon remains a childhood landmark for budding readers (and singers), but did you know it also makes an excellent vocabulary study? By focusing on several in-text words (in this case: billow, cease, fearless,...
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Introduce Vocabulary: A Pocket for Corduroy (Freeman)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Who doesn't love this book? A Pocket for Corduroy provides excellent vocabulary practice in context for budding readers (although this strategy could be used with any text). Before reading it aloud, go over the new...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Airport (Barton)

For Teachers K - 3rd
This vocabulary-in-context strategy can be applied to any book that learners read with you; however the activity here is designed around Byron Byrton's fiction book, Airplane. First, introduce the new words you will learn: attendant,...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Alphabears: An ABC Book (Hague)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Learn new words in the context of Kathleen Hague's whimsical alphabet book, Alphabears: An ABC Book (note: you can use these strategies for any text). Get pupils ready by introducing the new words they will...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Animal Tracks (Dorros)

For Teachers K - 3rd
What kind of animal made those tracks? Explore some wild vocabulary in context as learners listen to Arthur Dorros' book, Animal Tracks. Before your read this, introduce the new words like bother, dam, reed,...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Clap Your Hands (Cauley)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Lorinda Cauley's book Clap Your Hands is a fun way to expand budding readers' vocabulary in context (although you could use any book for this strategy). To prepare kids, introduce the following terms before...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Fly Away Home (Bunting)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Approach a difficult subject with budding readers through Eve Bunting's story Fly Away Home, a child's perspective on homelessness. Focus on vocabulary in context, going over the terms learners will hear before reading...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Frida (Winter)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Combine vocabulary in context with art history using Jonah Winter's colorful biography Frida. Although there are quite a few words you could teach from this text, four are listed here with connecting questions: ill, imitate,...
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Introduce Vocabulary: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? (Yolen and Teague)

For Teachers K - 3rd
If you are reading Jane Yolen's fun story How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, use these strategies to enhance the experience for budding readers. What new words will they learn? Find detailed comprehension questions for these...
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Introduce Vocabulary: "I Can't," Said the Ant (Cameron)

For Teachers K - 3rd
With both rhyme and a fun storyline, Polly Cameron's story "I Can't," Said the Ant is a useful resource for vocabulary in context. Emerging readers focus on five key words: cooperate, mend, nimble,...
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Introduce Vocabulary: I See Animals Hiding (Arnosky)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Animals are amazing at disguise! Explore the different ways they escape view as scholars learn vocabulary-in-context through Jim Arnosky's book I See Animals Hiding. Prepare pupils to raise their hands when they hear...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (Henkes)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Familiarize budding readers with new vocabulary in context as they listen you read Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, which can be found on YouTube if you don't have in on hand. Recommended focus words here are: considerate, creative,...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Moonbear's Bargain (Asch)

For Teachers K - 3rd
If you are reading Frank Asch's book Moonbear's Bargain, here is an excellent way to practice vocabulary in context with budding readers. Although you could include others, the recommended words for this text are: blossom,...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Tar Beach (Ringgold)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Anyplace can become a beach! Budding readers explore Faith Ringgold's world of imagination in her book Tar Beach, which can be found on YouTube if you don't have it. What words will budding readers learn? They focus on the following...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Animal Action ABC

For Teachers K - 3rd
Explore the meanings of tier two vocabulary words. In small groups, young learners listen to a read-aloud story and evaluate new vocabulary words for their meaning.
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Introduce Vocabulary: A Day at the Apple Orchard (Faulkner and Krawsky)

For Teachers K - 3rd
If your class is reading A Day at the Apple Orchard by Megan Faulkner, be sure to use this guide for vocabulary in context. Go over the orchard-related terms (cycle, harvest, orchard, pollen, and ripen) before reading...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (Aardema)

For Teachers K - 3rd
The African plains come alive as scholars learn vocabulary in context through Verna Aardema's story Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (tip: this strategy can be applied to any book). Precede reading by...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Chrysanthemum (Henkes)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Kevin Henkes' sweet story Chrysanthemum is the perfect way to teach vocabulary to budding readers in context. Present the new terms they will hear so pupils are ready to raise their hands when they come up in the story....
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Introduce Vocabulary: I Am Planet Earth (Marzollo)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Explore the world's beauty with Jean Marzollo's colorful book I Am Planet Earth, the context of a vocabulary study focused on the following in-text words: globe, jungle, paddy, planet, and valley. Discuss the...
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Introduce Vocabulary: I Love You the Purplest (Joosse)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Use Barbara Joosse's heartwarming story I Love You the Purplest (which can be found on YouTube if you don't have it) to practice vocabulary in context with emerging readers. This sensory text is an excellent opportunity to...