Vocabulary, Comprehension, Writing Supports May 17, 2011

What are the universal literacy strategies that serve all content areas?

Region 10 Education Service Center Why Study Vocabulary? “It is clear that a large and rich vocabulary is the hallmark of an educated individual.” Beck & McKeowan, 2002

Region 10 Education Service Center “There is a strong relationship between vocabulary, intelligence, comprehension and future income.” Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock, 2001 Why Study Vocabulary?

Vocabulary Data The average elementary student learns roughly 3,000 words a year. Many of the new words are learned through reading (Nagy, 1988). The average elementary student learns roughly 3,000 words a year. Many of the new words are learned through reading (Nagy, 1988). Students who most need vocabulary instruction are frequently those who read the slowest (Fountas and Pinnell, 2001). Students who most need vocabulary instruction are frequently those who read the slowest (Fountas and Pinnell, 2001). Disadvantaged students who do not perform well in school often have underdeveloped vocabularies (Biemiller and Slonim, 2001). Disadvantaged students who do not perform well in school often have underdeveloped vocabularies (Biemiller and Slonim, 2001). Region 10 Education Service Center

Let’s Break it Down Elementary children acquire and/or develop about 3,000 new words per year which comes to about 8 words each day. Elementary children acquire and/or develop about 3,000 new words per year which comes to about 8 words each day. Let’s say, an elementary student only acquires 2,000 new words per year. That means... by the time they’re in 8 th grade, they are behind by 8,000 words which translates to more than two grade levels. Let’s say, an elementary student only acquires 2,000 new words per year. That means... by the time they’re in 8 th grade, they are behind by 8,000 words which translates to more than two grade levels. Region 10 Education Service Center

More words read builds a wide vocabulary base Increased comprehension leads to wider knowledge-base which deepens cognition Frequent reading builds confidence and positive reading self-concept The Comprehension Cycle for Proficient Readers

Region 10 Education Service Center Fewer words read builds a limited vocabulary base Limited comprehension leads to limited knowledge which inhibits cognition Lack of comprehension causes frustration and impacts motivation The Comprehension Cycle for Struggling Readers

And Beyond 12 th Grade… “There is a strong relationship between vocabulary, intelligence, comprehension of new information, and future income.” Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock, 2001 Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock, 2001 Region 10 Education Service Center

Dictionary Danger? Approximately 60% of sentences students wrote to demonstrate their knowledge of a new word, used the new words incorrectly. Approximately 60% of sentences students wrote to demonstrate their knowledge of a new word, used the new words incorrectly. Dictionaries often use vague language and do not explain how the word is different from other similar words. Dictionaries often use vague language and do not explain how the word is different from other similar words. (Scott & Nagy 1989, 1997, Vacca & Vacca, 1996) (Scott & Nagy 1989, 1997, Vacca & Vacca, 1996) Students must already have some knowledge of the word for the definition to make sense. Region 10 Education Service Center

Plugging into New Words through Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing “Vocabulary consists of the words that we understand and can actively listen to, speak, read, or write.” (Tankersley, 2005) (Tankersley, 2005) Region 10 Education Service Center

Light Bulb Moments Think of a word and its definition that you will NEVER forget. Think of a word and its definition that you will NEVER forget. What makes that word “stick” in your brain? What makes that word “stick” in your brain? Did you learn your word in school? Did you learn your word in school? Did you hear, see, or read your word? Did you hear, see, or read your word? Region 10 Education Service Center

Value of Kinesthetic Involvement “The brain literally changes at the chemical level when our mind and/or body experiences something new… When we understand the key role the body plays in learning and encourage our students to explore the possibilities of movement, it can only enhance their learning.” Alana Morris/Vocabulary Unplugged Region 10 Education Service Center

Word Walls Be selective (about 5 to 10 a week) Be selective (about 5 to 10 a week) Practice regularly with a variety of review activities Practice regularly with a variety of review activities Handy and easily accessible Handy and easily accessible Alphabetical Alphabetical Region 10 Education Service Center

Will the visuals help you remember the 10 KEY social studies vocabulary words? Number a sheet of paper from 1 to 10. As you see each picture appear, write the vocabulary word that goes with it.

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Reading “Vocabulary knowledge is among the best predictors of reading achievement.” Daneman, 1991 Region 10 Education Service Center

Reading “Reading is the single most important factor in increased word knowledge.” Anderson & Nagy, 1991; Baumann & Kameenui, 1991 Region 10 Education Service Center

Light Bulb Moment As a reader, what do you do when you come to an unfamiliar word? Region 10 Education Service Center

Reading Passage Physics Textbook “So far, the circuits we have considered include batteries or generators that contribute only their emfs to a circuit. In reality, however, such devices also add some resistance.” Cutnell and Johnson Physics, 5 th Edition Region 10 Education Service Center

Frayer Model Frayer Model Region 10 Education Service Center Definition (Barton, M.L., Heidema, C., & Jordan, D. 2002) Visual Representation; characteristics Examples Personal association or characteristic; Non-example Vocabulary Term

Ways to Discover Meanings of Unknown Words Dictionary Dictionary Glossary Glossary Context clues Context clues Ask the expert Ask the expert Find pictures Look for known roots, prefixes, and suffixes Use the index to find where the word is listed and read it in other contexts Region 10 Education Service Center

Teaching Word Parts “Knowing some common prefixes and suffixes (affixes), base words, and root words can help students learn the meanings of many new words" “Knowing some common prefixes and suffixes (affixes), base words, and root words can help students learn the meanings of many new words" ( Armbruster, Lehr, & Osborn, 2001 ). ( Armbruster, Lehr, & Osborn, 2001 ). Region 10 Education Service Center

Writing Words are Colors on Your Palette One of the primary reasons to incorporate direct vocabulary instruction is to “improve range and specificity in writing.” Allen, 1999 Region 10 Education Service Center

Word Websites m m m m Region 10 Education Service Center