Vocabulary Project
Created by: Alexandra Halbom
What I have learned...
Insight #1 from The Struggling Reader
Tankersley, K. (2016). The Struggling Reader. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104428/chapters/The-Struggling-Reader.aspx
Insight #2 from No Tears for Tiers: Common Core Tiered Vocabulary Made Simple
Tyson, K. (2013). No Tears for Tiers: Common Core Tiered Vocabulary Made Simple l Dr. Kimberly's Literacy Blog. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://www.learningunlimitedllc.com/2013/05/tiered-vocabulary/
Insight #3 from Content-Area Vocabulary: A Critical Key to Conceptual Learning
Another thing that I have learned is from Harmon and Wood (2008), "Words need to be taught in relation to other words". This was something that jumped out to me. I have read several times that words should not be taught in isolation but, it did not occur to me how beneficial it would be to teach new vocabulary with related words. It was an "aha" moment that should not have taken as long as it did for me to realize how simple yet helpful it would be. Another fascinating insight was using the instructional planning P.E.A.R. Teachers who Prepare, Explain, Apply, and Reinforce are using this tool to provide the explicit instruction that students need when learning vocabulary. One great tool that was suggested was the Knowledge Rating Scale which students are able to rate their understanding of the vocabulary words that are being introduced and taught.
Harmon, J. M., & Wood, K. D. (2008, October). Content-Area Vocabulary: A Critical Key to Conceptual Learning. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://ohiorc.org/adlit/inperspective/issue/2008-10/Article/feature.aspx
Insight #4 from Academic Language in the Secondary Classroom
Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2011, February). Academic Language in the Secondary Classroom. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://cpm.sweetwaterschools.org/files/2013/02/Academic-Language-in-the-Secondary-Classroom-Doug-Fisher.pdf
How I am going to use this knowledge...
I am going to use this knowledge by instilling this in my daily teaching. Although I teach first graders, I do not think it is too early to start focusing on their Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary. By being aware of it myself I think will assist me in including it into my lessons for them.
In subjects such as Math, Science, and Social Studies I am going to start making lists of Tier 2 words that can be used in cross content as well as specifically use Tier 3 in each subject. By keeping track of the vocabulary words and making myself aware of them when teaching will have a greater affect on my students ultimately learning and using their newfound vocabulary words. A new strategy I would use would be to record all of the Tier 2 words that can be taught, but then choosing the most important words for my students to learn. By keeping track of the words used I would be able to continually build on my students vocabulary lists. An idea that I would like to use would be using Wordle to make a word cloud. By having these ideas and activities it is making learning vocabulary fun, which helps build their understanding. This is important for students because if they are really learning it then they will hopefully understand it to where they will also be applying the use of the vocabulary words.