Welcome to the Comprehensive Center-Region VI Audio Web Conference Workshop Sheryl Beglinger Training and Outreach Specialist

Importance of Teaching Vocabulary* New learning always builds on what the learner already knows…Learning, as a language-based activity, is fundamentally and profoundly dependent on vocabulary knowledge Primary difficulty with sustaining early gains in reading is the lack of adequate vocabulary to meet the broad academic demands that begin in upper- elementary grades and continue throughout schooling. * Baker, S. D. C. Simmons, and E. J. Kameenui. Vocabulary Acquisition: Synthesis of the Research.

Importance of Teaching Vocabulary* Successful vocabulary programs can be defined …by the extent to which they reduce…the vocabulary gap between students with poor versus rich vocabularies Primary grade students learn about 3,000 new words/yr.; however, diverse learners acquire vocabulary knowledge at a much slower rate Vocabulary differences between students appear early and the vocabulary gap grows increasingly large over time * Baker, S. D. C. Simmons, and E. J. Kameenui. Vocabulary Acquisition: Synthesis of the Research.

Teaching Vocabulary Using Storybooks Critical Design Features of Storybook Instruction Repeated readings of stories Classic stories or on lists of recommended readings Performance reading style (Extended intro; few interruptions during reading, dialogue after reading) 3 target words per story Scaffolded story grammar intro and retell How to Select Words to Preteach Identify words that are critical to story understanding that are not explained in the text. Select words students will "encounter" again (moderate frequency words) Preteach meanings of words using examples, synonyms, definitions Provide children opportunities to use the words.

Teaching Words Directly Guidelines for selecting to-be-learned vocabulary* g.html

Guidelines for selecting to-be-learned vocabulary Do... Avoid... Less is more -- depth is more. Teach fewer vocabulary terms, but teach them in a manner that results in deep understandings of each term. Teaching or assigning words from textbooks just because they are highlighted in some way (italicized, bold face print, etc.). Teaching or assigning words just because they appear in a list at the end of a text chapter. Teaching or assigning words that willl have little utility once the student has passed the test. Assigning words the teacher cannot define. Assigning large quantities of words. Assigning words that students will rarely encounter again. Teach terms that are central to the unit or theme of study. These are terms that are so important that if the student does not understand them, s/he likely will have difficulty understanding the remainder of the unit. Teach terms that address key concepts or ideas. While a text chapter may contain vocabulary terms, there may be only 4 or 5 that address critical concepts in the chapter -- sometimes only 1 or 2!). Teach terms that will be used repeatedly throughout the semester. These are foundational concepts upon which a great deal of information will be built on over a long term basis.

Teaching Vocabulary Directly Learning a new meaning for a known word Possible Sentences Semantic Word Maps

Teaching Vocabulary Directly Learning the meaning for a new word representing a known concept Levels of Word Knowledge –I have never heard of this word –I am familiar with this word but am not sure of its meaning –I know this word and its meaning

Levels of Word Knowledge Word I have never heard of this word I’ve heard/read this word, but not sure of what it means I know this word and its meaning Definition inoculate vaccinate virus

Teaching Vocabulary Directly Learning the meaning of a new word representing a known concept Word Map Verbal-Visual Word Association Strategy

Definition – using context clues, dictionary or glossary Word Synonym or Example Antonym or Non- example Personal Clue – may use picture Word Map* *Adapted from Catherin Rosenbaum. (2001)“A word map for middle schools: A tool for effective vocabulary instruction.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. Sept.

(Suffix, prefix) (Word using that suffix or prefix) (Word’s definition)(Picture Clue) Verbal-Visual Word Association Strategy* *Hopkins, G. and T. W. Bean. Vocabulary learning with the verbal-visual word association strategy in a Native American Community. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 42:4, 274 – 281.

Teaching Vocabulary Directly Clarifying and enriching the meaning of a known word Concept Ladder Flip-a-Chip ( Lee Mountain, (2002) “Flip – a – Chip to Build Vocabulary”, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. 46:1, 62 – 68.)

Flip – a – Chip to Build Vocabulary* Give each pair of students a marker and two white poker chips in a plastic bag. Have the students print four syllables on their chips so that with the combinations can flip into four words. ( Ex. “pro” and “re” on one chip, “voke” and “duce” on the other chip. Will make the words provoke, produce, revoke and reduce.) *Lee Mountain, (2002) “Flip – a – Chip to Build Vocabulary”, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. 46:1, 62 – 68.

Then have the pair of students write a paragraph with blanks for the words that would be made with their chips. This requires the students to have some deep processing of the words and also would enhance their comprehension of the words. When they are finished, put the paragraph in the bag with the chips and trade bags with another group. Ex. Ms. Jones was angry. She said, “My students ____________ me when they are tardy. They ___________ one excuse after another. I want to _________ the number of tardies, so I’ll ____________ the privileges of any pupil who is late.”

Interesting Vocabulary Sites on the Web Building a Better Vocabulary (good source for prefixes, suffixes, and root words) Vocabulary U Visual Thesaurus

More Interesting Vocabulary Sites on the Web The Homonym/Homophone Page Word Study Activities from Words Their Way Vocabulary Quizzes based on Latin/Greek influences on English Language Word Savvy

More Interesting Vocabulary Sites on the Web TV411 site for struggling high school students and adult ed students Vocabulary Strategies from Just Read Now! Strategy Toolbox: Vocabulary

Vocabulary Games/Activities Word Jungle Fake Out Word Games from FunBrain Vocabulary Games from Gamequarium

Wrap-Up Next Week: Comprehension