Practice using an Index and the New Words portions

of an expository book with first graders:

From Caterpillar to Moth by Jan Kottke

Show students the New Words section and Index

at the back of the book pages 22 & 23.

Read aloud from page 22, a word or definition. Ask students to tell the matching part. Draw attention to the (pronunciations or special) spellings, which follow each new word listed. Point out that they are like our temporary spellings and easier to sound out than dictionary spellings.

Example: Read aloud, “A flying insect that starts as a caterpillar, then ask for the matching new word. Finally point out special pronunciation spelling, one could write both spellings on the board or OHP and have students compare the letters in each.

From page 23, read aloud, a heading or list of page numbers.

Ask students to identify where you are looking specifically by page # and the type of item. Make clear the meaning and use of the lists of page numbers in the index.

Read aloud a list of numbers like, 10, 12, 14, and ask about which topic you would find information on those pages.

Or

Read a topic heading and have students read the page numbers.

Follow up or precede these activities with a visit to the Internet site video about butterflies found at brainpop (school district membership and password may be required:

http://www.brainpop.com/science/plantsandanimals/insects/index.weml