Components of Effective Vocabulary Instruction
Middle School: Please read/watch the following links and respond to the Prompt below.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/vocabulary-teaching-strategies-middle-school
https://amplify.com/blog/science-of-reading/the-importance-of-vocabulary-in-effective-literacy-instruction/ ( about 35 minutes long)
Elementary: Please complete Lessons 6-9 and Assessment and respond to the Prompt below.
PROMPT: Please rate your instruction in each of the 4 Components 1 (beginner) - 5 (advanced). Which Core Principles could you apply or improve on to improve your instruction?
Facilitating Rich and Varied Language Experiences - 5
ReplyDeleteExplicitly Teaching Focus Words with Text - 3 (I am Providing Opportunities for Multiple Exposure in Different Contexts through Word Journals)
Explicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies - 5
Fostering Word Consciousness - 3 (I am Introducing Words in Meaningful Context and Providing Opportunities for Multiple Exposure in Different Contexts through Word Journals, and Providing Corrective and Timely Feedback through Curipod Discussions)
I would love to see how you use Curipod with vocabulary discussion! This could be something I could incorporate, too. I love how the videos in Cox Campus demonstrated students having conversations about the vocabulary.
DeleteI have worked heavily on explicit tier 2 vocabulary instruction, though I feel I have a long way to go with it. I have already incorporated some adjustments to my instruction based on the information learned in the Cox Campus vocabulary lessons. As for where I feel I rate in the 4 components:
ReplyDeleteFacilitating Rich and VARIED Language Experiences: 3
I have a lot of varied types of activities, but I haven't fostered heavy communication/conversations about the vocabulary words. This is an area where I have made an addition. Starting this week we have our introduction day, then beginning on day 2 with our new word lists we have 2 focus words a day where we have thorough conversations about our word knowledge, giving examples and situations where the words and other forms of the word could be used. We look at the syntax of the sentences to make sure the words are being used correctly.
Explicitly Teaching Focus Words with Text: 3 - I need to be more INTENTIONAL with this area.
Explicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies: 4 - My daily instruction with our Wordly Wise words has been very focused in this area. However, there is definitely room for improvement!
Fostering Word Consciousness: 4 - Again, my daily instruction and activities that we work on with our Wordly Wise words provides a lot of practice in this component. Though, I am constantly looking for ways to improve this.
I like how you have an introduction on day 1, and how you focus on two words a day. This really allows the students time to learn a lot about the terms without filtering in everything at one time. It's probably helpful with establishing background knowledge as well, when you have less to focus on.
DeleteI like the idea of focusing on less words per day and therefore getting more conversations and discussion.
DeleteAngela, I think that is a good idea/ taking a deeper dive into those words.
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ReplyDeleteFacilitating Rich and Varied Language Experiences - 4
ReplyDeleteExplicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies - 3 (With fourth graders, this can be done, but I don't think I focus on it enough. We do touch on dictionary skills and usage through use of Weekly Language Reviews, but I haven't covered a unit yet with direct instruction. That will be included in future plans for this year).
Explicitly Teaching Focus Words With Text - 4 I incorporate the Wordly Wise terms in daily reading comprehension text that relate to Science/SS. I also read a novel and use read alouds to incorporate words from our list. My students also use these words in Book Creator to define, record, and find pictures that relate to these terms.
Fostering Word Consciousness - 3 Wordly Wise, AI, Daily Novel Reads
I have found also that the read alouds are a great way to incorporate vocabulary and put it in a context which is easier to comprehend.
DeleteAgreed. I am a huge fan of read alouds
DeleteFacilitating Rich and Varied Language Experiences: 4 - When introducing the new vocabulary words, we focused on 2-3 a day and had a discussion about the word and if it had multiple meanings, as well as looking at pictures for each word.
ReplyDeleteExplicitly Teaching Focus Words with Text: 3 - The Wordly Wise lessons have a text that goes with the set of vocabulary words and I can also use AI to create another passage, but I need to be more intentional about using the texts more often during the week.
Explicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies: 3 - During the introduction of the new vocabulary words, we looked at the number of phonemes in each word. I think I can definitely improve in this area by treating it more as a continuation of the activities we do during our phonics time. We are focusing on dictionary skills this week for grammar and I would like to continue using these skills to help with vocabulary.
Fostering Word Consciousness: 3 - In an effort to improve in this area, I have created some word engagement/extension activities similar to the ones in the videos where students will be matching a word to a picture.
I would love to see examples of your matching activities. I am looking for some ideas for engagment.
DeleteYou have done an amazing job incorporating those into the lessons.
DeleteOverall, I will admit that I am a beginner at teaching vocabulary. It has just not been an area of education or emphasis in my subject. Most of the information in this course is new information to me.
ReplyDeleteFacilitating Rich and Varied Language Experiences -2
Explicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies - 1
Explicitly Teaching Focus Words With Text -2
Fostering Word Consciousness -3
Which Core Principles could I improve? I can improve on providing opportunities for multiple exposures in different contexts. I often introduce/ teach a new word for that unit but I am missing opportunities to incorporate that vocabulary in future units and lessons.
I think you could start by spiral back to words you have incorporated previously.
DeleteFacilitating rich and varied language experiences: 4
ReplyDeleteThis is done through several activities, including read alouds with discussions following and writing and then reading aloud stories using vocabulary words.
Explicitly teaching focus words with text: 4
I generate different texts using the vocabulary words throughout the week using Ai. We read the passages, stopping to discuss the words often.
Explicitly teaching word learning strategies: 3
Fostering word consciousness: 3
I do this through the Wordly Wise activities, vocabulary journals, read aloud that correlates to science and social studies, and Nearpod activities.
Facilitating Rich and Varied Language Experiences (4) - I am using direct instruction with explicit vocabulary for 4th grade and explict phonics for 3rd and 4th.
ReplyDeleteExplicitly teaching focus words with text (4). In all grades I am using AI to generate text with the words/patterns we are studying.
Explicitly teaching word learning strategies (3) I have been teaching morphology and word patterns. However, I have not focused on dictionary skills.
Fostering word consciousness ( 3). - Students have created GIMKITS with synonyms and antonymns using our weekly vocabulary words.
I would like to begin to incorporate more word play with s ome riddles each week. I think they students would also have fun creating them!
I like the idea of the riddles. In the middle grades, it would be a fun challenge to have 1 every other day for them to try and guess for Dojo points! I've also noticed having to give a lot of background information to help deepen understanding. My kiddos recognize the terms, but their ability to use the terms is limited by the lack of understanding.
DeleteCan you please share the Gimkits and the riddles you are using? Great ideas!
DeleteGreat idea, I am going to incorporate vocabulary into my GimKits to foster word consciousness.
DeleteFacilitating Rich and Varied Language Experiences -2
ReplyDeleteThis is not something I use much in my current content area. In the past when I was teaching ELA, I used more of this! Most of the time, my students are expected to read word problems independently. Sometimes discussion around the language or vocabulary is brought up, but it is usually not something that is planned or systematic.
Explicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies - 4
At the beginning of most lessons, I explicitly teach the new math vocabulary that students will see in that lesson.
Explicitly Teaching Focus Words With Text -3
This doesn't show up AS much in math, but when there is vocabulary that has word roots or stems, we practice breaking down those words and comparing them to other words we know that have the same roots. Ex: median has "med" which means middle. similar to medium
Fostering Word Consciousness -1.5
I rarely think of doing things like this! I would love to incorporate more indirect vocabulary instruction into math. I could see myself creating games or activities for kids to practice vocabulary or vocabulary strategies related to math content.
I most definitely see how you could incorporate vocabulary instruction into Math
DeleteThe 4 components are used in my classroom in a variety of ways. I facilitate through giving multiple reading opportunities and pointing out terms students might not know along with the background knowledge to help deepen understanding. I explicitly teach focus words using the weekly or biweekly reading assignments to help pinpoint vocabulary deficits and give meaningful practice. I explicitly teach new words, especially scientific terminology that student will not encounter unless in a science classroom. I also foster word consciousness by utilizing varied vocabulary and pointing out when different terms can be used in place of each other. As far as rating each of these, I would give myself a 3, just because there is always room for improvement and I tend to use what I have at hand and try an organic approach. There is something to be said about frontloading, but frontloading might not work all of the time. This is why vocabulary instruction should be intentional and embedded in each lesson.
ReplyDeleteI love vocabulary and have always felt it empowers students to learn new words and to be able to use the word in context. You can see their excitement in the littles when they can "show what they know" about new vocabulary words! I agree with other that there is always room to improve how we teach. The more we know, the better we are able to be effective instructors. I think as a whole by having our teachers present daily on morning announcements, we are creating an environment which fosters learning. We are giving our students rich background knowledge experiences. I am proud of how well we as a faculty have embraced the morning announcements! Our students are truly learning and enjoying the information presented!
ReplyDeleteHere is how I would rate myself:
Facilitating Rich and Varied Language Experiences - 4
Explicitly Teaching Focus Words with Text - 3-4
Explicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies - 4
Fostering Word Consciousness - 3-4
I really think the Wordly Wise program is a great way to systematically teach new words. I do add other activities with each unit such as:
-additional stories/passages created by AI
-Nearpod activities to review the words
-vocabulary journals in Book Creator
-Kami assignments for each unit
I think the discussion of the words is what I want to increase. I like Jennifer's idea of focusing on two words per day. I also like the example in Cox Campus about recording with tally marks whenever a student uses a vocabulary word in context correctly. The example shows the teacher posting the words on her board and putting tally marks under each word. I am going to create something similar that I can post on the e-glass for my students to see. I am excited to continue to increase vocabulary with my students!
They would love the tally marks! There are already several students that point out current and past spelling and vocabulary words when we are reading new texts. Having something on the e-glass will definitely excite and encourage them to use vocabulary words.
DeleteFacilitating Rich and aired Language Experiences - 3
ReplyDeleteExplicitly Teaching Focus Words with Text- 4
Explicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies- 3
Fostering Word Consciousness- 3
There is room for improvements in all the 4 components. I do not focus with dictionary skills for example. The wordly wise lessons that we incorporate across grade levels are great for vocabulary. I also incorporate AI stories with the vocabulary words and create passages using the vocabulary words that have the blends and patterns that we are focusing on in class that week. I got some great ideas on what others have done in their classrooms to take back and implement with my students!
Facilitating Rich and Varied Language Experiences - 3
ReplyDeleteExplicitly Teaching Focus Words in Text - 4
Explicitly Teaching Word Learning Strategies-2
Fostering Word Consciousness- 3
I need to explore teaching word learning strategies that involve contextual analysis and dictionary/thesaurus type activities to promote deeper understanding of the nuances of words. This would also lead to increased wordplay activities and be a great way to also spiral with previously learned words that are synonyms and antonyms of the new words. I am very intentional with using images to help with vocabulary during my read alouds. This week I had images of bulla, crepundia, amphitheatre, and venatio so that students had a visual for understanding. Now that I am thinking about it, I could have asked them for the modern day version of these words as the above words have to do with the Roman Empire. I need to explore ways for connections to be made with new and old words.