August 22, 2011 Marie Walsh, Ed. D. Literacy Specialist

Why should we provide direct instruction in vocabulary? Turn and Talk Jot down 3 reasons. Think. DO NOW:

N a m e Crossword How do you teach vocabulary? How do you learn vocabulary? How were you taught vocabulary?

G u i d i Questions g

D a t Research

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

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

The Power of Minutes

The average elementary student learns roughly _______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). Disadvantaged students who do not perform well in school often have underdeveloped vocabularies (Biemiller and Slonim, 2001). Region 10 Education Service Center

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). 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. 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 Region 10 Education Service Center

HOW to Learn Vocabulary? What about the dictionary?

Approximately 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. (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

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. (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

Turn and Talk 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

Resources to figure out a new word. Dictionary Glossary Context clues 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

Turn and Talk Think of a word and its definition that you will NEVER forget. What makes that word “stick” in your brain? Did you learn your word in school? 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 What are other brain based strategies to enhance learning vocabulary? Think, Jot, Turn and Talk

Brain Based Checklist  Relevant  Sensory  Kinesthetic  Social  Novel  Connected  Challenging  Inquiry Based  Emotional

Word a l l s

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

F r Squares y Model r

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

Vocabulary Squares

Janet Allen – Inside Words

FA Semantic aa tl uy rs ei s

3. Semantic Feature Analysis

Janet Allen – Inside Words

T Entry i p Journal e

4. Triple Entry Journal

P a Word t s

5. Word Parts “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 ). Region 10 Education Service Center

S o Word t s

6. Word Sorts

Assignment Write a lesson plan that incorporates one of the following: – Word Wall – Frayer Model – Vocabulary Squares – Semantic Feature – Triple Entry Journal – Word Parts – Word Sorts

Vocabulary Websites ser/walshmc/vocabulary ser/walshmc/vocabulary Region 10 Education Service Center