Transcript Vocabulary is Vital - Langley Guided Reading

Vocabulary is Vital
So what can we do about it?
Vocabulary is Vital
• Fertility view: Vocabulary must be
directly and systematically taught. You
just can’t learn it in the natural way we
acquire most of our vocabulary.
VS
• Futility view: So much vocabulary. So
little time! You just can’t teach it all.
Vocabulary is Vital
• “The relationship between vocabulary
and comprehension… is unparalleled in
strength and importance…” Hoyt 2005
• Limited vocabulary size is a primary
indicator for the academic failure in
schools of disadvantaged students.
Becker 1977
So what works?
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Language and word-rich classrooms
Intentional teaching of selected
vocabulary
Develop word-learning strategy
independence
Language and word-rich
classrooms
• Use words
• Have subject specific vocabulary
around the room
• Have fun with words
• Use words instead of drill words
Intentional teaching of selected
vocabulary
• Have students actively engage with
words - not passively receive them
• Make connections among words and
concepts
• Use graphical representations for
learning words
Develop word-learning strategy
independence
• Explicit instruction in strategies
• Modeling
• Guided practice
• Independent practice
Your Turn
• Take your word and try to figure
out a possible meaning
• Form mixed, not single word groups
One group = 8 words
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Alula
Secondaries
Greater coverts
Tertials
Scapulars
Median coverts
Primaries
Lesser coverts
Meanings 1
• With your group try to figure out
possible meanings.
• All the words are related. What
concept/idea connects them?
Meanings 2
• Use the diagram to figure out the
meanings of the words
• Ask questions of the teacher
• Organize yourselves (each group) to
illustrate the physical arrangement
of the feathers
Marzano’s Six Step Process
1. Provide a description, explanation, or
example of new term
2. Ask students to restate the description,
explanation, or example in their own
words
3. Ask students to construct a picture
symbol, or graphic representing the term
or phrase
Marzano’s Six Step Process
4. Engage students periodically in activities
that help them add to their knowledge of
the terms in their notebooks
5. Periodically ask students to discuss the
terms with each other
6. Periodically involve students in games
that allow them to play with terms
Vocabulary is Vital
Your Turn
• With a same-discipline colleague, select an key
vocabulary word or concept for with which
students are usually not familiar.
• Discuss the steps you would use over time to
teach it
• Include: Use words, fun, active not passive,
make connections (words and concepts), use
graphical representations
Vocabulary is Vital
For your chosen word/concept:
• Complete one of:
Concept Definition Map,
Concept Circle
Frayer Model
• Where in the steps would you include one of
the above?
Learning Intentions
• I can understand the importance of
vocabulary in relation to learning
• I can understand the range of
components that go into vocabulary
instruction
• I can apply the components to designing
my own instructional sequence