Read the Words for Everyday Use at the bottom of pages 274, 276, and 277. Copy these words and their definitions into your notebook. Use each word in a sentence of your own. Make sure that you are familiar with these words. When you have finished, skim the selection for any other unfamiliar words and record them in your notebook. Discuss as a class ways to unlock the meanings of these words. Explain which techniques you have found most useful. Then, apply these techniques to the words you listed.
1. Follow along in the text as your teacher reads aloud the first six paragraphs. As you listen, jot down any unfamiliar words. When your teacher has finished reading, share your list of words with the class. Then, work together with two or three other students to determine word meanings based on context clues, word parts, or any other strategies you find useful in unlocking word meanings. When you think you have properly defined the words, check your answers in a dictionary. If possible, list familiar synonyms of the words. Then, write a sentence for each of the words that you have added to your vocabulary.
2. Continue reading the remainder of the story with your group. Each member should take a turn reading aloud. Jot down unfamiliar words as you follow along or as you read. Then, work together as a group to define the words. When the words are defined, use them in sentences of your own. Make sure your sentences demonstrate your understanding of the words.
If you encounter difficulty applying the reading strategy, try rereading the text silently. Pay attention to the concrete details, as well as to the context of an unfamiliar word. When you have unlocked the meanings of words, reread the sections of the story, and consider how understanding word meanings helped you to understand the text.
Now that you are familiar with all of the words in the selection, reread the text from beginning to end. In a paragraph, explain how familiarizing yourself with difficult vocabulary helped you to understand the text as a whole.