Mini-Lesson

Topic: Introducing Vocabulary Words in Song of the Trees
Grade: 4th Grade
Time: 30 minutes

Introduction of the Topic
In order to understand text that is being read, it is important that students understand the words in the text. One way of addressing key words that are found in the book being read is through the use of a word wall. Words that are personally confusing or that are essential and appear frequently should appear on the word wall so that students are able to reference them when need be.

Share Examples
I will have created the word wall on a wall that all students will be able to see. I will model by adding the first word, “lumbermen.” Together, the class will sound out the word as I write it in the “L” box. We will then discuss why I chose this word (as in how to we find words that are on the wall) what the word means by me asking the students, “What do you know about lumbermen?” If students have limited prior knowledge on this word I will scaffold the students and ask them, “What is the main job of a lumberman?” Together we will discuss the word and how the word will always be on the wall for students to reference when writing or when discussing the story.

Provide Information/Guided Practice
I will break the students into small groups. Each group will be responsible for looking up words that are essential or confusing that they believe should be added to the wall. The group will have to discuss why they chose to the word, what the word means, and where they found it in the story. I will talk around to each group and continue to help students find words that are important. We will regroup as a class and then the students will go up to the wall, group by group, and add the word to the wall. The group will have to share (with the class) why they chose to the word, what the word means, and where they found it in the story.

Assess Learning
The next day I will ask students to write about the reading from the day before. In the writing, I will ask the students to incorporate at least three words from the word wall. I will then read the responses and see if students were able to use the wall as a reference and if they understood the words that they incorporated into their writing.