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| Image courtesy of http://linguistics.ohio.edu/opie/?page_id=1231 |
One of the most important aspects of learning a new language is becoming familiar with the vocabulary. According to Colorín Colorado (2007), a bilingual site for families and educators or English language learners, "Reading, writing, speaking, and understanding academic English happen in the classroom. Using a combination of [vocabulary] strategies will help ELLs to close the gap."
Below I've listed a few of the vocabulary strategies that I've used in the past, and I would love for you all to add to the toolbox. Understand that vocabulary development is essential for all students and the more tools you have at your disposal, the more effectively you will be able to develop this important skill.
Word Wall
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| Image courtesy of http://fabulousfish-stephanie.blogspot.com/2010/09/classroom-tour.html |
A variety of approaches can be used with this vocabulary development tool. I've had the most success with this activity when allowing students to select which words should be on the word wall. This allows students to take ownership of their own learning, and also seems to help them to learn the words more quickly.
I strive to utilize the word wall daily. One way I achieve this is through a daily "Word Wall Workout." Each day the exercise is different, and the goal is to get students to use the words, manipulate the words, evaluate the words, and synthesize the words.
Here's an example of a typical Word Wall Workout activity:
"Choose any word from the word wall. Pretend that the word is a brand name and design a brand logo. Your logo should reflect the essence or characteristics of the word."
Vocabulary Rating
Before beginning a chapter, story, unit, etc., select key vocabulary and give the words (without definition) to the students. Have students rate each vocabulary word using the following scale:
4- I know this word, and I could teach it to my neighbor.
3- I recognize this word, and I think I know what it means.
2- I've seen this word, but I don't know what it means.
1- I've never seen this word.
As you encounter the word in you story or unit, teach the word as it is used in context. Invite students to explore additional uses for the word.
At the end of the story or unit, have students self-evaluate their learning by having them rate the vocabulary terms again (Perhaps students will wish to add troublesome words to the Word Wall for more practice!).
In your comments, please provide additional vocabulary strategies that can be useful for students in any grade level. Perhaps they are strategies you've used yourself, or maybe you stumble across a strategy you'd like to use in the future. The idea is to build our toolbox!
Great idea, Jameson! I can't wait to have my own word wall, I think this really helps them to be able to visualize. The rating system is great for teaching self-reflection and self-efficacy in their own learning of the material. A while back I even made a "Word Nerds" Pinterest board just for vocabulary! I tend to go a little crazy when it comes to organizing and categorizing things.
ReplyDelete1. Word of the Day: This has a link to a powerpoint for a word for each day to use with part of speech, definition, suffix/prefix/root word, use it in a sentence, sketch it, where they may have heard of the word before, as well as a Peer Share minute. This is done for 6th grade, and it would be good to do a review/evaluation at the end of the week.
http://mrsbeerslanguageartsclass.blogspot.com/2012/06/middle-grades-word-work-resourcecheck.html
2. Along the same lines, I found this useful word wheel on this site: http://eisforexplore.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-05-08T14:50:00-07:00&max-results=10
You may have to scroll a little to get to it. It would be cool for diagnostic or review to put the wheel on the board and select a student or group and then spin the wheel, then they have to follow the instructions for a selected word. This tests their recall before an evaluation or at the beginning of the school year.
3. Vocabulary parade! I thought this was about the cutest thing I've seen in a while, and it would be a great alternative to halloween costumes. Students get a word, and they have to dress up depicting their word. The blog post was for first grade, but what if ELA teachers and other faculty all did this and got students involved? The kids would never forget their word and some others, that's for sure!
I really like your Vocabulary Rating strategy, and having them think about the word to know if they know it well enough to teach it to their neighbor. That really promotes meaningful vocabulary knowledge not just "I've heard that word and I'm pretty sure it means this."
ReplyDeleteThis may seem like a really basic vocab tool but good ole' Hangman has always proven effective and fun at the same time! Once the word is revealed you can have students rate their knowledge of the word. It would be a great "rainy day" game.
Carly,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the strategies you've added. I love the vocabulary parade idea, especially for elementary level ELLs! I've seen the Word of the Day strategy in action and it's fantastic. One of the teachers I worked with during undergraduate methods assigned groups a word in advance and they created Word of the Day skits using classroom iPads. The students loved when it was their turn to teach the word of the day. Thanks for your input!
Ashley,
Vocabulary games really stimulate learning, in my opinion. I'd never thought to use hangman for vocab words, so this is something I'll need to try in the upcoming school year! Another game that students enjoy is something called "trashketball." Using scrap pieces of paper (there's usually plenty of paper on the floor by the end of the class) teams are given questions and whichever team gets the question right first gets two points. They are then given the opportunity to earn an additional point by making a "basket" into the trash can. Thanks for your input as well!