Before Reading
Preview Vocabulary and Footnotes
With a partner, review the Words for Everyday Use at the bottom of the selection's 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 new sentence. Then, have your partner choose a word, and you use this word in a new sentence. Continue taking turns until you have covered all of the words.
During Reading
Unlock Words as You Read
1. Follow along in your text as your teacher reads the first four 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.
Fix-Up Idea: Use Text Organization
This selection is broken into several sections. Use these section breaks to help you understand the selection. First, read the section summary at the beginning of each section. This will help you understand what the section will be about. Then, pause during your reading to answer any Guided Reading Questions in the section. When you finish a section, write your own summary before moving on to the next section.
After Reading
Review and Practice Words
Share your list of words with a partner. Then, work together to write a sentence of your own for each of the listed words. Make sure your sentences show that you understand the definition of the word.