Unit: The Mangrove Tree Lesson Type: Vocabulary and
Syntax
Vocabulary and Syntax Lesson: The Mangrove Tree
Reading Comprehension Unit: The Mangrove Tree
Lesson Grade Level: 3rd / 4th
Common Core Standards Met: TBD
Learning Goal: Students will learn and demonstrate understanding of select vocabulary from
The Mangrove Tree. Students will demonstrate understanding of syntax using select vocabulary
from The Mangrove Tree.
Materials Provided:
1. Detailed lesson plan
2. Independent student worksheet
Materials Not Provided:
The Mangrove Tree
Vocabulary Word 1: nutritious
Step One: Introduce the word in context
a. Teacher writes this sentence from The Mangrove Tree on the board: “This mixture helped
the mother animals produce more nutritious milk for their kids and lambs.” Teacher
underlines the word “nutritious.”
b. Teacher says: “In The Mangrove Tree, we read the sentence: ‘This mixture helped the
mother animals produce more nutritious milk for their kids and lambs.’”
c. Teacher writes the word on the board broken into syllables: “nu · tri · tious”
d. Teacher says: “This word is nutritious. What is the word?” [All students reply together out
loud: “nutritious.”]
Step Two: Provide a child-friendly definition
a. Teacher says: “Nutritious describes substances that keep your body healthy.”
b. Teacher says: “In the book, Dr. Sato needs to create a nutritious blend of food for the
goats and sheep because they were not getting enough protein to stay healthy. He mixed
mangrove leaves with seeds and dried fish to make the food more nutritious or healthy.”
c. Teacher says: “What is the word?” [All students reply together out loud: “nutritious.”]
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Unit: The Mangrove Tree Lesson Type: Vocabulary and
Syntax
Step Three: Practice the word
Teacher provides examples and additional opportunities to repeat the word. Read the first
sentence out loud to your students. Begin reading it again and when you come to the vocabulary
word prompt students to say the vocabulary word out loud. Then, finish reading the sentence
out loud to your students.
1.
a. The mix of mangrove leaves, seeds, and dried fish made the sheep and goats’ food
more nutritious by adding more protein to their diet.
b. Doctors recommend fruits, vegetables, and proteins as part of a nutritious diet to keep
the body healthy.
c. Vegetables and whole grains are good sources of fiber, which is part of a nutritious diet.
d. The school provides students with a nutritious snack every afternoon and extra time to
exercise to keep them healthy.
e. Dark leafy green vegetables like spinach are nutritious, with lots of vitamins A, C, and
K.
Step Four: Check for student understanding
This step can be completed as a whole class activity or as an independent practice.
2. Which of the following is a more nutritious choice of drink?
3. Which of the following is a more nutritious snack: candy or carrots? Why?
Suggested answer: Carrots are a more nutritious snack because they have important nutrients
that keep the body healthy.
4. Rearrange the words into a complete sentence with correct punctuation and capitalization:
good nutritious you for is food
Suggested answer: Nutritious food is good for you.
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Unit: The Mangrove Tree Lesson Type: Vocabulary and
Syntax
5. Complete the given sentences using because, but, and so.
A nutritious diet is important…
Suggested answers:
A nutritious diet is important because it is full of protein and vitamins.
A nutritious diet is important but not the only part of staying healthy.
A nutritious diet is important so you should eat healthy food.
Note to Teacher: You may want to introduce the following question type with an example.
6. EXAMPLE: Combine the sentences A and B below into one sentence using the word
because.
A. The sun is hot.
B. I went to the pool.
Answer: I went to the pool because the sun is hot.
Combine the sentences C and D below into one sentence using the word and.
C. Vegetables are nutritious.
D. Vegetables are part of a balanced diet.
Suggested answer: Vegetables are nutritious and part of a balanced diet.
7. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below.
Because they are full of antioxidants, apples are quite nutritious.
What? apples
(are) What? quite nutritious
Why? because they are full of antioxidants
Vocabulary Word 2: sturdy
Step One: Introduce the word in context
a. Teacher writes this sentence from The Mangrove Tree on the board: “These seeds become
seedlings—sturdy little plants—before they fall off.” Teacher underlines the word “sturdy.”
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Unit: The Mangrove Tree Lesson Type: Vocabulary and
Syntax
b. Teacher says: “In The Mangrove Tree, we read the sentence: ‘These seeds become
seedlings—sturdy little plants—before they fall off.’”
c. Teacher writes the word on the board broken into syllables: “stur · dy”
d. Teacher says: “This word is sturdy. What is the word?” [All students reply together out
loud: “sturdy.”]
Step Two: Provide a child-friendly definition
a. Teacher says: “Sturdy means strong or well-built.”
b. Teacher says: “Mangrove trees are sturdy, or strong, plants that can survive in many
places. The mangrove roots are sturdy, and its seeds produce strong seedlings, or sturdy
little plants. ”
c. Teacher says: “What is the word?” [All students reply together out loud: “sturdy.”]
Step Three: Practice the word
Teacher provides examples and additional opportunities to repeat the word. Read the first
sentence out loud to your students. Begin reading it again and when you come to the vocabulary
word prompt students to say the vocabulary word out loud. Then, finish reading the sentence
out loud to your students.
8.
a. Nylon is a fabric that is often used for tents, rope, and other outdoor gear because it is
known to be sturdy.
b. The table is sturdy and able to hold a lot of weight.
c. The man was short and strong and therefore people often referred to him as sturdy.
d. The flower was not sturdy enough to survive the cold weather and died quickly.
e. If you are standing on a chair to reach something on a shelf, make sure it is sturdy and
will support your weight.
Step Four: Check for student understanding
This step can be completed as a whole class activity or as an independent practice.
9. Which of the following would be considered most sturdy to sit on?
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Unit: The Mangrove Tree Lesson Type: Vocabulary and
Syntax
10. Is brick a sturdy material? Why or why not?
Suggested answer: Yes, brick is a sturdy material because it is strong and can be used to build
houses.
11. Rearrange the words into a complete sentence with correct punctuation and capitalization:
tough are trees mangroves sturdy
Suggested answer: Mangroves are tough, sturdy trees.
12. Complete the given sentences using because, but, and so.
A sturdy shoe will last…
Suggested answers:
A sturdy shoe will last because it is strong.
A sturdy shoe will last but may not be comfortable.
A sturdy shoe will last so you will not need to replace it.
13. Combine sentences A and B below into one sentence using the word although.
A. The sturdy tree did not fall over.
B. The storm caused a lot of damage.
Suggested answer: Although the storm caused a lot of damage, the sturdy tree did not fall
over.
14. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below.
Because of the sturdy bricks the pigs were safe in the house.
Who? the pigs
(were) What? safe
Where? in the house
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Unit: The Mangrove Tree Lesson Type: Vocabulary and
Syntax
Why? because of the sturdy bricks
Suggested Additional Vocabulary: rate, plump, fertilizer
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.