Before Reading
Preview Vocabulary
With a partner, read through the Words for Everyday Use. Read the word, the definition, and the sentence for each word. Write a sentence-completion question for each word. Swap questions with your partner and try to complete each sentence.
During Reading
Use Context Clues
1. Follow along in your text as your teacher reads the first two paragraphs aloud. If you encounter any words with which you are unfamiliar, write them in your notebook. When your teacher has finished reading, review the words you listed and try to determine their meanings by using context clues you find in the autobiography and in the Words for Everyday Use.
2. Continue reading the story on your own. Jot down unfamiliar words, and try to define them by using context clues. If the context clues do not provide the meanings, try analyzing the word parts—prefixes, roots, and suffixes—to determine meanings. If that strategy fails, consult a dictionary. Record the definitions.
Fix-Up Idea: Reread
If you have trouble unlocking word meanings, try rereading the selection focusing on the overall meaning. Read each paragraph and see if you can get the main idea without understanding every word.
After Reading
Practice Using Vocabulary
Share your word list with your partner. Work together to write sentences for all of the words on both of your lists.