Goose’s Story
Robust Vocabulary
Unit 4 – Week 2_______
Words taken from Main Selection (M) and Oral Language cards (O)
Word
camouflage (O)
deserted (M)
Definition
a coloring or pattern
that helps animals
blend into their
surroundings.
left empty
pursue (O)
to try to follow and
try to catch something
or someone
reluctant (O)
you do not want to do
something
vicinity (O)
the area near a
particular place
Synonym
disguise (v)
conceal (n)
Antonym
reveal, show
Gestures
spread fingers apart
and place on face
empty
desolate
abandoned
follow seek*
chase
hunt
track
unwilling
hesitant
averse
neighborhood
locality
area
inhabited
hold out empty hand
and run a finger
through it
hold out a finger at a
distance and move
the other finger
toward it.
shake head no
keen
hold up pointer
finger and circle
around it with the
other finger
*past vocabulary word
Day 1:
Write words on Word Wizard chart. Reread aloud the parts of story containing the
vocabulary word. Use the definitions above to reiterate what each word means.
Word Wizard Chart: Show the students the Word Wizard Chart. Say each word on the
chart. Students repeat the word after you. Give an example and gesture for each word. Let
them know that they will be learning about these words throughout the week. You will
record a tally mark on the chart when you hear students correctly using a vocabulary word.
Word Associations: After presenting explanations for each vocabulary word, ask students
to associate one of their new words or phrase.
Turn and tell your partner….
Which word goes with a chameleon turning the same color as a leaf? Why?
(camouflage)
Which word goes with showing up to a football game on the wrong day and
finding the stadium empty? Why? (deserted)
Which word goes with a police officer chasing a bad guy? Why? (pursue)
Which word goes with not wanting to eat your spinich? Why? (reluctant)
Which word goes with your neighborhood? Why? (vicinity)
Day 2:
Making Choices
Point to the word camouflage on the chart.
Say: If what I say describes camouflage, spread fingers apart and place them on your face
and say, “camouflage!” If not, cross your arms over your chest.
- wearing a party hat in the classroom
- covering yourself with green paint in the jungle
- a chameleon on a green leaf
- laying on the grass
Point to the word deserted on the chart.
Say: If what I say describes deserted, hold out empty hand and run a finger through it and
say, “deserted!” If not, cross your arms over your chest.
- discovering that no one’s home
- a full movie theater
- your classroom on Saturday
- ice cream for everybody
Point to the word pursue on the chart.
Say: If what I say describes pursue, hold out a finger at a distance and move the other
finger toward it and say, “pursue!” If not, cross your arms over your chest.
- walking home from school
- chasing your dog
- following directions
- playing a game of tag
Point to the word reluctant on the chart.
Say: If what I say describes reluctant, shake your head and say, “reluctant!” If not, cross
your arms over your chest.
- deciding to join the boy scouts
- eating your veggies even though you don’t want to
- pulling away from a stranger who has your hand
- not wanting to tell your teacher that you forgot your homework
Point to the word vicinity on the chart.
Say: If what I say describes your vicinity, you should hold up pointer finger and circle
around it with the other finger and say, “vicinity!” If not, cross your arms over your chest.
- the entire state
- your yard
- Mexico
- your room
Questioning, Reasons, and Examples: students turn and talk with a partner.
*A hunter puts on a leaf patterned outfit. What word describes his clothing?
Why? (camouflage)
*A school at night. What word describes the situation? Why? (deserted)
*Your neighborhood. What word describes it’s location? Why? (vicinity)
*You follow the ice cream truck and finally catch up to it. What word
describes what you did? Why? (pursue)
*Your teacher wants you to talk in front of the class but you feel shy. What
word describes how you feel? Why? (reluctant)
Day 3
Word Wizard Chart:
Say each word on the chart. Students repeat the word after you. Review the
student friendly definitions for each word.
Relating Words:
Have students turn and talk with a partner.




You run after your little sister when she heads for the street. Is this an
example of reluctant or pursue ? (pursue) Why?
Your dog won’t get out of the car at the Vet’s office. Is this an example
of reluctant or deserted? (reluctant) Why?
You are hiding in your closet with stuffed animals all over you Would you be
showing an example of being vicinity or camouflage? (camouflage) Why?
When passing a school in your neighborhood, you see no cars in the parking
lot. Would this be an example of deserted or vicinity? (deserted) Why?
Synonym Stretch:
Show the students the Synonym Stretch Chart. Read aloud the words at the top of
the chart. Read one synonym. Students work with a partner to identify the synonym
that matches the vocabulary word.
camouflage
disguise
conceal
deserted
empty
desolate
abandoned
pursue
follow
seek
chase
hunt
reluctant
unwilling
hesitant
averse
vicinity
neighborhood
locality
area
Day 4: Vocabulary Graphic Organizers: Work on this the
first time as a whole class. Have students turn and talk to help
come up with the answers. Name words that have the same
meaning as the word you have chosen. Write these words in the
ovals. Then have students think of examples of what the word is.
This can be drawn freehand on the board. Students can also
draw this in their spiral notebooks. 4 square would be another
great vocabulary organizer.
Word:
Examples
(blank graphic organizer follows day 5 activity)
Day 5: Vocabulary Check:
Activity Choices:
 Cloze
 Picture Assessment
 Action Assessment
 Graphic Organizer
WHAT IS IT?