GET A CLUE WORDS AND THEIR STORIES Presentation by

GET A CLUE An innovative web-based program that builds vocabulary and reading comprehension through inductive reasoning and critical thinking. For grades 5 and up.

International Reading Association Adolescent Literacy: A Position Statement “Ongoing literacy development of adolescents is just as important, and requires just as much attention, as that of beginning readers.” “The expanding literacy demands placed upon young people at the beginning of the 21st century include more reading and writing tasks than at any other time in human history.”

WATS Words and Their Stories Requires students to apply etymology and critical thinking skills in a sequential, inductive process – rather than rote memorization – for vocabulary development Inductive process –Build and retain vocabulary –Improve reading comprehension –Improve test-taking skills –Develop high order thinking skills

Student Program Features Six levels covering grades 5 through 12 More than 1000 words in five categories –Roots and Prefixes –Mythical and Historical Allusions –Words Commonly Confused –Foreign Words –Strange and Unusual Words

GET A CLUE Unique login for each user Diagnostic exam at start of program Pre-test and post- test exams for each assignment Standard and custom word lists

WATS System Words and Their Stories The derivation, or “story” behind the word Clue #1: Apply information contained in derivation Clue #2: Draw upon prior knowledge Clue #3: Infer meaning from context Clue #4: Complete an analogy Clue #5: Analyze context to complete a sentence

Derivation –Part(s) of speech –Audio and phonetic pronunciation –Clues to meaning

Clue #1 –Refer to derivation at any time –Draws upon information in derivation

Feedback The student always receives an explanation Supports the inductive process and prepares the student for the next clue

Clue #2 Refers to the derivation Requires students to draw upon prior knowledge

Clue #3 Clues 3,4 and 5 follow format of standardized exams Requires students to infer meaning from context clues

Clue #4 Requires students to complete an analogy

Clue #5 Requires students to analyze context to complete a sentence

Test Against Definition Definition Bonus Word

Progress Report and Points

Review All Word Lists Review all words and allows printing of materials for study offline Use printed word lists to prepare for tests and quizzes

Teacher Program Features Progress reports that track individual productivity and achievement Online pre-tests and post-tests available for each assignment to measure student improvement and mastery Instruction works for individualized or class assignments

Track Student Progress This grade book displays the average scores and number of words completed. Progress can be viewed by class.

View Scores by Class View pre- and post-tests and measure improvement for individual students

View Scores by Student

View Words Completed by Student

View WATS Results by Student

Create Quizzes and Review Guides

Create Lessons

Easy Set-up and Management

GET A CLUE Program supports the recommendations of the International Reading Association’s Adolescent Literacy: A Position Statement by providing: –Access to a wide variety of stories that appeal to students –Instruction that builds skill and desire to read increasingly complex material –Assessment that shows students’ strengths as well as their needs