With a partner, review the Words for Everyday Use at the bottom of the each page in the myth. Read each word, its definition, and the sentence in which it is used. Copy the words and their definitions into your notebook. Choose a word, and have your partner use it in a sentence that refers to something musical. Then, have your partner choose a word for you to use in a sentence that refers to something musical. Continue taking turns until you have covered all of the words. Quickly read the footnotes in the myth before you begin reading.
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first page of the myth aloud. How can you determine the meanings of Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcóatl, and reluctantly?
2. Continue reading the rest of the myth on your own. Jot down unfamiliar words, and try to define them by using context clues, the clues in the surrounding text. Context clues include definitions in the text, examples, familiar words, nearby comparisons or contrasts, nearby causes or effects, and descriptions that set a mood or tone. If the context clues do not provide the meaning, try analyzing the word parts—prefixes, roots, and suffixes. If all of these strategies fail and a word is necessary for your understanding, consult a dictionary. Record the definitions in your notebook. Once you figure out the meaning of a word, reread the paragraph to complete your understanding. You may want to reread the entire myth once you are familiar with all of the words in the story.
If you are having difficulty tackling unfamiliar words, find a partner and read the myth aloud, speaking the words the way you might imagine the characters saying them.
Look back at the sentences you created for each unfamiliar word. Rewrite five of them, this time using actual characters and events from the story to demonstrate what each means. See if you can make your sentences one continuous story.