Greetings!
This month's newsletter is on vocabulary, a topic that cuts across all subject areas. One of the biggest challenges students face is a lack of vocabulary development, so it's critical that we focus on that in all classes.
What I've included in the main column is a research-based model from Robert Marzano for teaching academic vocabulary. The six-step process is excellent for helping students build vocabulary comprehension. Then, on the right, you'll find a couple of ideas for using poetry with vocabulary.
Finally, if you know someone who is interested in professional development, whether it is a workshop or a Skype session, please feel free to give them my contact information:(609) 474-4677 or bcgroup@gmail.com.
Barbara
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Marzano's Six Step Process
Teaching Academic Vocabulary
- Provide a description, explanation, or example of the new term. (Include a non-linguistic representation of the term for ESL kids.)
- Ask students to restate the description, explanation, or example in their own words. (Allow students whose primary existing knowledge base is still in their native language to write in it.)
- Ask students to construct a picture, symbol, or graphic representing the word.
- Engage students periodically in activities that help them add to their knowledge of the terms in their notebooks.
- Periodically ask students to discuss the terms with one another. (Allow in native language when appropriate)
- Involve students periodically in games that allow them to play with terms.
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Principal's Perspective
Marie Carbo, via NAESP, share the characteristics of effective literacy instruction. Specific to vocabulary, good vocabulary instruction:
■ Engages children in discussions about words.
■ Uses videos,visuals,and anecdotes to expand word meaning.
■ Provides readings of materials that help students become increasingly familiar with a variety of high-level words.
■ Provides strategies for deciphering unknown words,understanding prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
■ Uses many hands-on vocabulary games and weekly challenges to encourage children to expand their vocabulary.
■ Teaches children when and how to use dictionaries and reference aids.
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