Transcript Vocabulary Learning Words through Content

Vocabulary
Learning Words Through
Context
There is a general agreement among
theorists and researchers that most words are
learned from context (Graves, 200; Hart &
Risley, 1995; Nagy, Hermann, & Anderson,
1985; Sternberg, 1983)
Research Says…
• According to the National Reading Panel (2001), which
reviewed research about vocabulary development, both
vocabulary instruction and assessment are crucial to
students’ literacy success.
• Students learn to read better when they receive
exemplary literacy instruction.
• Wide Reading Support Vocabulary Development by
increasing the time they spend reading (Sustained Silent
Reading B.E.A.R., Reading Logs, Literature Circles)
Teachers should encourage students to read as much
and as widely as possible (Graves and Watts-Taffe
2002).
Key Statements From A Few Literacy Experts
 A lack of vocabulary is a key component underlying failure for many
students, especially for those who are economically disadvantaged
(Biemiller 2001; Biemiller & Slonium, 2001; Hart & Risley, 1995, Hirsch
2001).
 Both wide reading and explicit instruction help to build a new vocabulary. To
be most effective, teachers should teach the most useful words (high utility
words), and students should have the opportunity to apply their knowledge
of these words in multiple subject areas and fictional texts. (Beck, Perfetti &
McKewon, 1982; Beck, McKeown, & Kucan 2002.)
 Consistent and daily retention to words builds students’ literacy growth
(Brabham & Lynch-Brown, 2002; Dickenson & Tabors, 2001). The repeated
teaching of high-utility words.
 Consistent and daily attention to words builds students’ literacy growth
(Brabham & Lynch-Brown, 2002; Dickinson &Tabors, 2001). The repeated
teaching of high-utility and the application of these words in multiple
contexts significantly increase students’ comprehension on standardized
literacy tests (Block & Mangieri, 2005; Gough, Alford, & Holly-Wilcox, 1981;
Fry, 2004).
Literacy Enhancement (Block & Mangeri, 2005) A Conducted Study
Analyzed The Vocabulary Practices Of 409 Exemplary Teachers
From Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
And Texas
Ten Major Findings from this study are:
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Students understood that vocabulary is important.
Students learned important, relevant words.
Students learned high-utility words.
Students learned and retained words more quickly-and had fun doing it.
Students learned vocabulary through their preferred learning style.
Students received multiple exposures to words and their meanings.
Students received Context-based vocabulary instruction.
Students were assessed using measures that went beyond asking them
to give the definition of a word.
• Students learned the process of building their vocabulary through
lessons that combined instruction in word-meaning clues and
vocabulary-building strategies.
• Students listened to and engaged in Think Alouds.
Using Context Weaves Together Both The
Semantic And Syntax To Unlock The Meaning
Of An Unknown Word.
• Using context clues is a powerful tool for vocabulary
building and is most valuable when used to learn the
meanings of the most frequently occurring words.
• Sixty-one percent of all English words can be learned
using context clues.
• Context can be provided by pictures, words, sentences,
and paragraphs that occur before and after the unknown
word.
• Strategies that help students connect words with their
prior knowledge, emphasize comprehension monitoring,
and actively engage students in learning are more likely
to result in significant vocabulary growth.
The Following Teaching Techniques Promote
Learning Words Through Context
Context Clues
 Using Context Clues that are embedded in a sentence, a paragraph,
the whole text, or a picture will help students figure out the meaning
of an unknown word. This is perhaps the most important vocabularybuilding strategy a reader can possess.
Vocabulary Cloze Procedure
 Using the vocabulary cloze procedure helps students become
proficient at using context clues. The procedure can be used with
narrative or informational text to introduce new vocabulary in a
meaningful context.
Vocabulary Self-Selection Strategy (Haggard, 1982)
 This strategy gives the students the opportunity top select unknown
or unfamiliar vocabulary through teacher support and motivation.
The strategy requires that each student and the teacher identify two
words to bring to the group for discussion. Students collect these
words during discussions or while reading novels, stories, textbooks,
newspapers, magazines, or web pages.
Our Communities
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
Using Context Clues
• When you answered the questions in Build Background,
you were describing the /
/ of your community.
Geography is the study of Earth’s natural features.
• When you answered the questions in Build Background,
you were describing the /g
/ of your community.
Geography is the study of Earth’s natural features.
• When you answered the questions in Build Background,
you were describing the geography of your community.
Geography is the study of Earth’s natural features.
Vocabulary Cloze Procedure
If you took a trip across the United States you would see different kinds of
_____________. A landform is the shape of the surface of the land.
A large area of flat land is called a _____. The Great Plains stretch from
North Dakota all the way south to Texas. A __________ is a large flat area
of flat land that is raised high above the land around it. The Colorado Plateau
can be found in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. The Rocky
Mountains stretch from New Mexico past Montana.
Landforms affect people’s lives. For example, in mountain communities
people often need cars with special tires to get around. And people can affect
landforms, such as when a dam is built to stop a river.
Geographers find it useful to divide our country into ________.
A region is an area with common features that set it apart from other areas.
Communities in a region often have similar economies with people working
in similar jobs.
landforms
plain
plateau
regions
Vocabulary Self-Selection Strategy Sheet
Selected Words:
1. landforms
2. plain
Sentences I heard or read using the selected words:
A landform is the shape of the surface of the land.
The Great Plains stretch from North Dakota all the way south to
Texas
Definitions: What the words mean:
A shape on the Earth’s surface such as a mountain or hill
An area of flat or nearly flat land
Memory Help (drawing, word map, mnemonic, etc)
Idea for using the word this week:
Look for a book on geography in the school library
New Jersey
Adventures In Time And Place
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
Using Context Clues
New Jersey is more than just its Landforms. It is also home to
thousands of different kinds of plants and animals and over 8 million
people. One of the best ways to describe our state is to talk about its
/
/. Geography is the study of Earth and the way people, plants,
and animals live on it and use it.
New Jersey is more than just its Landforms. It is also home to
thousands of different kinds of plants and animals and over 8 million
people. One of the best ways to describe our state is to talk about its
/g
/. Geography is the study of Earth and the way people,
plants, and animals live on it and use it.
New Jersey is more than just its Landforms. It is also home to
thousands of different kinds of plants and animals and over 8 million
people. One of the best ways to describe our state is to talk about its
/ geography/. Geography is the study of Earth and the way people,
plants, and animals live on it and use it.
Vocabulary Cloze Procedure
Within its small area, however, New Jersey packs a rich
variety of ________. Landforms are the shapes that
make up the Earth’s Surface. Mountains, hills, and
_____are all examples of landforms. New Jersey has
plenty of each, ranging form the mountains of the
northwest to the plains along the Atlantic Ocean in the
southeast.
New Jersey is more than just its landforms. It is also
home to thousands of different kinds of plants and
animals and over 8 million people. One of the best ways
to describe our state is to talk about its _________.
Geography is the study of Earth and the way people,
plants, and animals live on it and use it.
geography
landforms
plains
Vocabulary Self-Selection Strategy Sheet
Selected Words:
1. geography
2. landforms
Sentences I heard or read using the selected words:
The geography of New Jersey makes it a special place.
A landform is the shape of the surface of the land.
Definitions: What the words mean:
is the study of Earth and the way people, plants, and animals
live on it and use it.
A shape on the Earth’s surface such as a mountain or hill
Memory Help (drawing, word map, mnemonic, etc)
Idea for using the word this week:
Look for a book on geography in the school library
To Conclude:
 A strong vocabulary is essential to literacy success.
 Important words must be taught explicitly on a repeated
basis.
 Vocabulary words should be presented to students
using multi-modal instructional strategies that will
engage higher-level thinking.
 Students must learn that words contain clues to their
meanings.
 When vocabulary is properly taught, most students will
learn and understand words and improve their
comprehension and their attitude toward redoing.
Presented by
Cynthia Kennedy
Literacy Resource Specialist