Robust Vocabulary Lesson: Sam, Bangs, & Moonshine, Written and Illustrated by Evaline Ness
A.R. B.L. 3.6
Authorship Credit: Richard Field
Resource Teacher Numa Elementary School
Tier 2 Words Selected:reckless adj
ragged adj
scoured v
diminishing v
menacing adj
murky adj
Tier 3 Words Selected:
Day 1-Read aloud Sam, Bangs, & Moonshine briefly clarifying the following words as needed to aid comprehension: flummadiddle- Nonsense; foolishness
Day 2-Introduce Tier 2 Vocabulary Words using the following steps:
1. Say the word and show the written word on a card or list on the board.
2. Tell the students the word in the context of the story. “In the Story...”
3. Provide a student-friendly definition.
4. Talk about the word in an additional context beyond the one used in the story.
5. Give students opportunities to interact with the word. (Partners discuss, hand
gestures, act out, etc. as appropriate)
reckless- In the story, On a small island, near a large harbor, there once lived a fisherman's little daughter (named Samantha, but always called Sam), who had the reckless habit of lying.
Definition: Not caring or worrying about the possible bad or dangerous results of your actions.
My brother drives recklessly in his car.
I will say some statements and if the example given relates to reckless say, “reckless” if the example does not have anything to do with reckless say and do nothing.
Frank ran out into the road without looking both ways. (reckless)
My Mom planned our bicycle trip very carefully. (not reckless)
John rode his skateboard down the steep road without a helmet.(reckless)
The fireman ran into the burning building. (not reckless, the fireman is well trained to do this)
If a fireman running into a burning building is not an example of being reckless, talk to you partner and re-write this sentence to make it a good example of someone/something being reckless
What is the word that means uncaring or not being careful? reckless
ragged- In the story, Even Bangs yawned and shook his head when she said the ragged old rug on the doorstep was a chariot drawn by dragons.
Definition: torn and in bad condition. Additional context using the word; The old woman had on a ragged dress.
I will give some examples: If the example given means ragged say, “ragged”, if the example does not mean ragged say and do nothing.
A ripped pair of jeans
A fancy new dress
A dirty pair of pants with holes in the knees
What is the word that means badly worn? ragged
scoured- In the story, He climbed up trees, ran down steps, and scoured the beach, but he never found Sam's baby kangaroo.
Definition: to search very carefully and thoroughly through an area. Additional context using the word; I scoured the baseball field looking for my sister.
Listen to some examples of scoured. After I read each one, put your hand above your eyes as if you are scouring.
I quickly looked for my homework, but couldn’t find it so I ran to the school bus.
I lost my favorite toy, and looked for it all over my house for hours!!!
I dropped my ring on the beach and spent the rest of the day looking for it.
What is the word that means to carefully look for? scoured
diminishing- In the story, With his head turned in the direction of the diminishing Thomas, Bangs said, “When the tide comes up, it covers the road to Blue Rock.
Definition: to become or make something become smaller or less.Additional context using the word;The ship was diminishing on the horizon.
Here’s another example: If you cover a light bulb with a dark lamp shade, the light from the lamp will diminish.
With a partner come up with your own sentence that uses the word diminishing.
What is the word that means to make smaller or less? diminishing
menacing- In the story, Nor did she hear the menacing rumble of thunder.
Definition: Something that is menacing is threatening or makes you expect danger.Additional context using the word;The dog looked menacing when I came into the yard.
On your own, think if something that you may think is menacing. Now, share with a partner.
I will say some examples of things that may be menacing, if the example given means menacing make yourself look mean, if the example does not mean menacing do nothing.
A lion roaring in the zoo at the visitors. (menacing)
A snake (can be either, talk to them about the fact that sometimes there are things that are menacing to some people, but not menacing to others)
The first day of school.
What is the word that means threatening? Menacing
murky- In the story, The murky light in the room deepened to black.
Definition: dark and difficult to see through. Additional context using the word; The pond appeared murky and I could not see the fish.
Take a look at this picture. The water is murky. What is difficulty to see in the picture clearly because of the murky water. Start your sentence with “Because the water is murky, it is difficult to see…
.
What is the word that means dark and difficult to see through? murky
Tier 3 Words
No tier 3 words.
Day 3-Practice with words:
Students should have an opportunity to write and discuss the words with classmates.
The most important thing is for students to discuss and use the words in context.
Have students use the cut apart vocabulary and definitions to match vocabulary word to its definition. Students also may use the vocabulary cards to quiz each other to match or say the definition. Secondly have the students participate in the game “I have...Who Has” for reviewing vocabulary word meaning.
Day 4-Vocabulary Log:
Depending on your classroom procedures or skill level of your students, provide an opportunity for students to record the Tier 2 words.
Using a Vocabulary Wall that has past as well as present vocabulary words from the readings provides an excellent source for daily writing activities. Example student must use 6 words from wall and write a sentence using each word in a sentence or they write on a specific topic presented.
Day 5-Informal Assessment of Tier 2 Words
Use Vocabulary Quiz-Sam, Bangs & Moonshine to access student understanding of vocabulary from the story.
cut apart vocabulary
recklessragged
scoured
diminishing
menacing
murky
cut apart definitions
not caring or worrying about the possible bad or dangerous results of your actionstorn and in bad condition
to search very carefully and thoroughly through an area
to become or make something become smaller or less
something threatening that makes you expect danger:
dark and difficult to see through
Vocabulary Quiz-Sam, Bangs & Moonshine
Vocabulary: Draw a line from each word on the left to its definition on the right. Then use the vocabulary words to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
ragged a. dark and difficult to see through
diminishingb. Not caring or worrying about the possible bad or dangerous results of your actions
murkyc. to become or make something become smaller or less
reckless d. something threatening
menacing e. torn and in bad condition
scoured f. to search very carefully and thoroughly through
an area
…......
1)My brother is very ______when he drives the car.
2)The lake was very ______and I could not see the fish.
3)The woman wore a very ______old dress.
4)The airplane was ______as it flew away from us.
5)The dog growled and acted very ______when I walked up to the fence.
6)I ______the football field for my lost friend.
…......
______
Answer Key: Vocabulary Quiz-Sam, Bangs & Moonshine
Vocabulary: Draw a line from each word on the left to its definition on the right. Then use the vocabulary words to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
ragged (e)a. dark and difficult to see through
diminishing (c) b. Not caring or worrying about the possible bad or dangerous results of your actions
murky (a) c. to become or make something become smaller or less
reckless (b)d. making you expect something unpleasant
menacing (d) e. torn and in bad condition
scoured (f) f. to search very carefully and thoroughly through an area
…......
1)My brother is very recklesswhen he drives the car.
2)The lake was very murky and I could not see the fish.
3)The woman wore a very raggedold dress.
4)The airplane was diminishing as it flew away from us.
5)The dog growled and acted very menacing when I walked up to the fence.
6)I scoured the football field for my lost friend.
…......
I have… Who has…
I have....reckless,
Who has the word that means torn and in bad condition? / I have...ragged
Who has the word that means not caring or worrying about the possible bad or dangerous results of your actions?
I have...murky
Who has the word that means to search very carefully and thoroughly through an area? / I have...menacing
Who has the word that means to become or make something become smaller or less?
I have...diminishing
Who has the word that means making you expect something unpleasant? / I have...scoured
Who has the word that means dark and difficult to see through?