With a partner, review the Words for Everyday Use at the bottom of the selection pages. 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 of his or her own. Then, have your partner choose a word for you to use in a sentence of your own. Continue taking turns until you have covered all of the words.
1. Follow along in your textbook as your teacher reads the first three paragraphs aloud. If you encounter words with which you are unfamiliar, add them to your list of Words for Everyday Use. When your teacher has finished reading, review the words you listed and try to determine their meanings by using context clues.
2. Continue reading the selection on your own. Jot down unfamiliar words, and try to define them by using context clues. If the context clues do not provide the meaning, try analyzing the word parts—prefixes, roots, and suffixes—to determine meaning. If that strategy fails, consult a dictionary. Record the definitions in your notebook.
If you are having trouble following the selection, try using the Guided Reading Questions. These questions will help you focus on the main ideas of the selection. As you encounter a Guided Reading Question, stop and read the question. Then read the lines around the question to find the answer.
Share your list of words with your partner from the Before-Reading activity. Then work together to write two sentences of your own for each of the listed words. Make sure your sentences show that you understand the definition of the word.