WORD WIZARD EXAMPLE
Slate 1. Write down the word, the page, and paragraph number.
slate (page 9, paragraph 6) 2. Copy the sentence from the book in which the word appears.
“I bent my head over my books and pretended to read, scraping my fingernail against the slate.” 3. Re-read the sentence in which the word appears. Think about the word, the sentence, and the story. Write down what part of speech you think the word is: noun. Now, write down what you think the word means: the surface of the desk.
4. Look up the word in the dictionary. Using the dictionary definition and everything you know about the word, write your definition of the word: a writing tablet made from a rock called slate that is like a blackboard.
5. Write down an explanation telling how this word adds meaning to the story. Think about the characters, plot, setting, theme, etc.
Sam had a slate on his desk so they probably used this to write on instead of paper.
Tar Paper 1. Write down the word, the page, and paragraph number.
tar paper (page 1, paragraph 1) 2. Copy the sentence from the book in which the word appears.
“I crouched beside the tar paper shack.” 3. Re-read the sentence in which the word appears. Think about the word, the sentence, and the story. Write down what part of speech you think the word is: noun used as an adjective. Now, write down what you think the word means: a kind of paper that shacks are made out of.
4. Look up the word in the dictionary. Using the dictionary definition and everything you know about the word, write your definition of the word: a heavy kind of paper covered with tar that is used to keep the water out of buildings and roofs.
5. Write down an explanation telling how this word adds meaning to the story. Think about the characters, plot, setting, theme, etc.
Harold’s shack is mad out of tar paper instead of wood which may
mean he cannot afford anything else because he is an ex-slave.
Linden Tree 1. Write down the word, the page, and paragraph number.
linden tree (page 4, line 3) 2. Copy the sentence from the book in which the word appears.
“Billy waltzed ahead of me, under the big linden tree.” 3. Re-read the sentence in which the word appears. Think about the word, the sentence, and the story. Write down what part of speech you think the word is: noun. Now, write down what you think the word means: a type of large tree.
4. Look up the word in the dictionary. Using the dictionary definition and everything you know about the word, write your definition of the word: a type of large tree that often has large fragrant flowers and can be used for timber.
5. Write down an explanation telling how this word adds meaning to the story. Think about the characters, plot, setting, theme, etc.
The linden tree probably gave lots of shade for Sam and Billy to play under in the summers. It is a piece of their past that will always remind them of their home.
Buggy 1. Write down the word, the page, and paragraph number.
buggy (page 16, paragraph 9) 2. Copy the sentence from the book in which the word appears.
“Ma would go visiting in the buggy, Grandma would make peach pies, Grandpa would blow his bugle at mealtimes, and Billy would be
a pest – as always.”3. Re-read the sentence in which the word appears. Think about the word, the sentence, and the story. Write down what part of speech you think the word is: noun. Now, write down what you think the word means: a type of carriage.
4. Look up the word in the dictionary. Using the dictionary definition and everything you know about the word, write your definition of the word: a small carriage drawn by one horse that people used to use as transportation before cars were invented.
5. Write down an explanation telling how this word adds meaning to the story. Think about the characters, plot, setting, theme, etc.
The White family had a buggy so they may be fine financially when they lived with Grandpa and Grandma.
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