Vocabulary Mini Lesson

Introduction:

Reading is one of the most important methods for students to learn new words. When reading a book it is important for the teacher to highlight vocabulary words that are related to the focus unit or thematic unit. Children can also find words to focus on through book club roles such as the, “Word Wizard”. Once these words are set aside to work with, mini-lessons can be developed to teach multiple meanings of words, etymologies, idioms, dictionary use, and other word study skills. Teaching mini-lessons on the meaning of individual words is one of the main guidelines for teaching vocabulary. The following is a mini-lesson that focused on the book Mississippi Bridge.

Words to focus on during the mini-lesson:

· Racism

- The belief that people of different races have different qualities and abilities, and that some races are inherently superior or inferior

· Prejudice

- An unfounded hatred, fear, or mistrust of a person or group, especially one of a particular religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual preference, or social status

· Depression

- A period in which an economy is greatly affected by unemployment, low output, and poverty

Mini-Lesson

1. Prior to reading the story the teacher will introduce the three new words, and explain how it is going to be important to understand the meaning of the words in order to understand why people behave the way they do in the story Mississippi Bridge. The teacher can begin by giving the students some background information on the setting of the story.
2. Next Students will make prediction on what they think the meaning of the word is and record whether their answer is a guess or if they think they really know it. Then the class will read pages 7-24. This part of the story will really put into context the idea of the time period and how racism, prejudice and depression are key vocabulary words for the unit. Students will re-predict again.
3. Next students will receive a worksheet. On one side there will be the three listed words and on the other there will be three definitions. The students will need to draw a line connecting one word the correct definition. When completed the class will review the worksheet and make corrections to make sure all students have the correct answers.
4. Students will work in pairs. Each group will be assigned one of the vocabulary words. Together they will have to create a small poster that includes the definition and a picture that represents what the definition means. They will present it to the class when completed. The words will then be added to the word wall.
5. To asses the students I will ask each of them to write the definition of each of the words. Then I will ask them to use the word in a sentence while writing about the story Mississippi Bridge.