Scott Foresman Reading Street

Vocabulary Strategy

Find synonyms in context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words.

INTRODUCE

Discuss the strategy of context clues to find the meaning of synonyms using the steps on p. 152.

TEACH

Have students read "Penguins are Birds," paying attention to how vocabulary is used.
Model using context clues to determine the meaning of pecks.

MODEL The word pecks on
p. 153 refers to what the chick does. It says that after the chick pecks, the egg breaks open. So pecks means "to tap at the egg until it cracks, probably with its beak."

Whole Group Discuss the Question of the Day. Then use pp. 152–155.

Group Time
Differentiated Instruction

Penguin Chick. See
pp. 150f–150g for the small
group lesson plan.

Reading

Language Arts
Use pp.173e–173h and
173k–173m.

Whole Group Use pp. 173a
and 173i.

Grouping Options

PRACTICE AND ASSESS

Have students determine the meanings of the remaining words and explain the context clues and synonyms they used.
Point out that context and/or synonyms do not work with every unfamiliar word. Students may have to use the glossary or a dictionary to find the exact meaning of some words.
Have students create their own sentences using vocabulary words.
Have students complete Practice Book 3.1, p. 55.

WRITE Writing should include

vocabulary words that describe
one of the pictures on pp. 158–165.
Students should use as many
descriptive words and synonyms
as possible in their writing.

then… use Tested Vocabulary Cards.

If… students need more practice with the lesson vocabulary,

Context Clues

Practice Book 3.1 p. 55

with | without Answers

Context Clues Sometimes when you are reading, you come across a word you don’t know. The author may give you a synonym for the word. A synonym is a word that has the same or almost the same meaning as another word. Look for a word that might be a synonym. It can help you understand the meaning of the word you don’t know.

1. Look at the words very near the word     you don’t know. The author may give a     synonym in the same sentence.

2. If not, look in the sentences around the
    sentence with the unfamiliar word. The
    author may use a synonym for the     word.

Vocabulary Strategy
for Synonyms

As you read “Penguins Are Birds,” look for synonyms to help
you understand the
meanings of the
vocabulary words.

cuddles

frozen

flippers

preen

snuggles

pecks

hatch

All birds come
from eggs. The mother
bird lays the eggs, and
then the mother bird
or the father bird sits on
the eggs until it is time for
them to hatch. Each baby bird
pecks and hits the shell of its
egg with its beak until the shell
breaks open. The baby bird
cannot fly or get food. It needs
its parents to bring it food and
keep it warm. When a parent
bird sits on the nest, the baby
bird snuggles, or presses, into
the parent’s belly. The parents
preen their own feathers. Then
they also brush the baby bird’s

     soft feathers. This helps
     keep the baby bird warm.
        Penguins are birds.
   They have flippers instead
of wings, and they swim rather
than fly. But they have feathers
and lay eggs just as other
birds do. Baby penguins hatch
from eggs, and they need
their parents to give them food
and warmth. Some penguins
live in Antarctica, where the
land and much of the water
around it is frozen. Penguins
don’t have nests, so a penguin
parent cuddles, or hugs,
the egg or the chick to keep
it warm.

3. Try the synonym in place of the word in
the sentence. Does it make sense?

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