Tier 1: run, closed, pants, touch
Tier 2: frozen, gap, snatched, leather
Tier 3: snatched, blizzard, frostbite, whine
I think that the most important words to focus on are the words in Tier 2 and 3. I think that these words are most important because the students do not use these words as much in everyday language as they do Tier 1 words. Since the Tier 2 words are words that they may know the meaning of, but cannot recognize in a book or be able to spell or write it, it would be good for them to study the words so they can recognize them in the text. Learning to recognize these words and be able to match the definitions of these words when reading the book will help students to comprehend the book at a deeper level. The students will be able to visualize the text while reading these words based on their definitions that they are now able to match as a part of studying these words. The Tier 3 words are important to touch on so they do not confuse the students. They may not be used in other contexts for students, but are crucial to the book. These words will help them to understand what is going on in the book, but it would be a waste of time to spend a majority of the time on them because they will not likely be used again elsewhere.
I would have students create a word web for the Tier 2 words. They will create a word web for each of the words. In the middle they will put the vocabulary word (ex: frozen). Then they will put words around it that help them remember what the word means. They can add a bubble with the definition, examples, non-examples, synonyms, etc. For example for frozen, they will put, cold, hard, ice, snow, solid state of matter, and not liquid. They will be asked to look up each word in the dictionary, but also draw a picture on the web that helps them to remember what the word is. They will also write the sentence that this word is included in the book along with 3 sentences where they use the word. This will help them to add this to their vocabulary so they can use it in writing and speech daily.
Awesome idea for your lesson! I agree that using Tier 2 words is the most beneficial for the students. These words will improve students writing in the future because they can use them in future class assignments. Also, I really like the idea of a word web because it incorporates so many different aspects of the word, rather than just a standard definition. If you wanted to give students a little more freedom with the assignment, it might be a good idea to allow students to cut out pictures from magazines or print pictures from the internet rather than just draw them. This could allow them to get practice with other forms of media as well. Overall, great idea!
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