(1) Nonfiction Lesson 6
(2) Nonfiction Lesson 6
Nonfiction writers use lots of very specific
A detective is someone who solves mysteries and
vocabulary words when writing their pieces in
figures things out by using clues. We can be
order to teach their readers new and important
word detectives when we come across a word
words related to their topic. When nonfiction
that is confusing.
writers use words that are new to the readers,
we have stop and figure out those unfamiliar
words to understand what the writer is trying to
tell us. This also helps us learn new and
important facts about the topic. As we read, we
act like detectives.
Ask students to share what they know about
detectives.
Just like real detectives we can use different
strategies ad search for our own clues. There
are 3 ways we can uncover the meaning of
these unknown words.
Display Appendix 1 “Being Word Detectives” and
review all three strategies as well as how each one is
used.
(3) Nonfiction Lesson 6
(4) Nonfiction Lesson 6
Today we will figure out unknown words by
using two of three strategies as we read a
biography titled Nothing But Trouble the
Story of Althea Gibson. Before we start
reading, talk to a fellow detective and, using
As I read the story please raise your hand to hear if
what you know about the word “trouble,”
predict the type of information you think
you hear a word that is new or unfamiliar to you.
Then we can try and figure out which strategy would
be best to help us learn the definition of the word.
Begin reading the text. Students should raise their hands
when they hear the word “tomboy” on p.1.
The word “tomboy” is a new word to me, too.
this biography might contain.
Now if we look at the text, there is another word
Allow students to share some of their responses
Althea was wild. I also see the word “boy” with
around the word tomboy. Sue states that
tomboy. Let’s read the next two pages.
(5) Nonfiction Lesson 6
(6) Nonfiction Lesson 6
Read the next two pages.
Continue reading and use the same strategy
when you come to words “scrounged” and
“secondhand” on the page that begins with
“Times were hard…”
Sue also talks about how Althea was always
playing games with boys (stickball, basketball),
didn’t come inside after recess, and sometimes
even stole sweet potatoes. I am wondering if the
word Tomboy means someone who acts like a wild
boy. Using the words and other sentences that
follow it, I can figure out what the unfamiliar
word means. Let’s see if that works.
Think aloud as you read the first three pages
again
This makes total sense now!
This context clues strategy really seems to
be helping us learn new words and also
understand Sue’s story with deeper meaning.
Let’s read the rest of the book and find out
how this troublesome girl turned out to be a
very successful and famous tennis
champion!