Scott Foresman Reading Street

Vocabulary Strategy

Use word structure to determine word meaning.

INTRODUCE

Remind students of strategies they can use when they encounter unknown words.

Look for word parts, such as a
base word and a suffix.
Ask yourself how the suffix changes the meaning of the base word.
Try the meaning in the sentence to see if it makes sense.

TEACH

Discuss the steps on p. 114 for using word structure.
Have students pay attention to words with the suffix -ist or -ive as they read "Letter from Denali."
Model using a suffix to determine the meaning of naturalist.

MODEL If I cover the letters
-ist in this word, I see the word natural. The suffix -ist can mean "one who is an expert in," so a naturalist could be a person who is an expert in natural things, or nature.

then… use Tested Vocabulary Cards.

If… students need more practice with the lesson vocabulary,

Word Sturcture

PRACTICE AND ASSESS

Have students determine the meanings of the remaining words and explain the strategy they used.
Point out that the meaning of a suffix may not be enough information if the base word is not familiar. Students may need to look up a word in the glossary or a dictionary for an exact definition.
Have students work in pairs, asking each other either/or questions like those on p. 114b about the vocabulary words, and any other words related to the natural world.
Have students complete
Practice Book p. 45.

WRITE Letters should include

several lesson vocabulary words as well as words that describe the natural world.

Practice Book p. 45

with | without Answers

Vocabulary Strategy
for Suffixes

Dear Kevin,

As you read “Letter from Denali,” look for words
that end with -ist or -ive. Use the suffixes to help
you figure out the meanings of the words.

Try that meaning in the sentence. Does it
make sense?

Look at the base word. Put the base word in
the phrase “one who is an expert in ____” or
“tending or inclined to ____.”

Put your finger over the -ist or -ive suffix.

Word Structure Suppose you are reading and you
come to a word that has -ist or -ive at the end. You
can use the suffix to help you figure out the word’s
meaning. The suffix -ist can make a word mean
“one who is an expert in ____,” as in biologist, an
expert in biology. The suffix -ive can make a word
mean “tending or inclined to ____,” as in active,
which means “tending to act.”

Try the strategy.
Then, if you need
more help, use your glossary or a
dictionary.

impressive

glacier

slopes

naturalist

species

preserve

wilderness

Love,
Lisa

I have taken a zillion
pictures, but I really think this
is a place you have to see in person.

Today we hiked up the
lower slopes of Mt. McKinley.
It is the highest mountain in
North America, and it is part
of Denali. We could see a giant glacier looking like a
huge field of ice farther up on
the mountain. It was a very
impressive sight. Mt. McKinley
has several glaciers, and
some are more than 30 miles
long!

Denali was established to
preserve the land and the animals
and plants that live here. More
than 650 species of flowering
plants and 217 species of animals
live in Denali! That’s what the
naturalist on the guided walk told
us yesterday. She also said that to
live in Denali year-round, a plant
or animal species has to be able
to survive long, cold winters.

Here we are in Denali
National Park in Alaska.
Denali is a gigantic park. It has
more than 6 million acres of
wilderness, so we certainly
won’t be seeing the whole park!

Write a letter to a friend. Describe a park or other natural setting that
you have seen. Use some words from the Words to Know list.



	Close
	Access Content Use ELL Poster 5 to preteach vocabulary. Choose from the following to meet language proficiency levels. Beginning Point out that glacier (p. 115, paragraph 3) is described as a "huge field of ice." Intermediate After reading, have students fill out a word rating chart. Discuss words that students rate as Have Seen to consolidate meaning. Advanced Teach the lesson on pp. 114–115. Have pairs take turns asking and answering questions about vocabulary words. (See p. 114b.) Resources for home-language words may include parents, bilingual staff members, bilingual dictionaries, or online translation sources. Word Structure Write naturalist and impressive and draw a line before the suffix. Then show in words or pictures that a naturalist studies the natural world and impressive mountains impress visitors.