Summary of Content Knowledge

Vocabulary instruction is essential to student learning and knowledge. Students learn majority of their vocabulary outside of the classroom. Spending time with vocabulary in the classroom is very important because it directly affects student reading comprehension, fluency, and writing. There are many different types of vocabulary: synonyms (words that are similiar), antonyms (words that are opposite), homonyms (Homographs are words that are spelled the same, but say them differently, homophones sound the same, but are spelt differently), euphemisms (words that we say to make things sound nicer), onomatopoeia (words that are a sound, such as Bang), root words (basis of a new word, but it does not typically form a stand alone word on its own), and affixes (prefix before the word and suffix is after the word). There are three tiers of vocabulary. Tier one being the most basic words that do not need to be explicitly taught such as: bed, clock, happy. Tier two words consist of high frequency and multiple meaning words. Tier three are academic terms that are essential to understand for the learning in the classroom. It is important for teachers to frequently use new vocabulary words in the classroom because this will help students understand the different contexts the word can be used in and help incorporate it into their daily language. Vocabulary must be chosen wisely as for this topic, less is better, long vocabulary lists usually turn into students memorizing definitions that do not always stick. Frequent use, short lists, and visuals of the words in the classroom, are all very important aspects for vocabulary instruction. Marzano has 6 steps for teaching vocabulary. These steps include: 1. Provide a description, explanation, or example of the new term. 2. Ask students to restate the description, explanation, or example in their own words. 3. Ask students to construct a picture, graphic, or symbol for each word. 4. Engage students in activities to expand their word knowledge. 5. Ask students to discuss vocabulary words with one another. 6. Have students play games with the words.

Apps

Vocabulary.com

This app helps to build vocabulary through a fun, interactive game that is tailored to your level of knowledge. You may choose a list of words to learn or you may allow the game to choose the words for you. This app stays on a certain word list until the words have been mastered, while playing the game, points, badges, and achievements are accumulated.

With students, I would use this app as a center and have it available to students as they are reading in case they come across a new word they do not know the meaning of. With this app, they can look up a easy to understand definition quickly and return back to their reading.

Knowji Vocab

This app is child friendly and helps students to build vocabulary faster and in a fun visual way. This app provides words with a picture, antonym, synonym, sentence examples, etc. This app also provides and audio annunciation so students can hear the word be said if they are unsure of how to pronounce it.

With students, I would use this app as a reference tool for them while they are reading to self. Students would have this app available to them close by, so they are able to look up a word and understand its meaning without having to interrupt the teacher, if I may be working with a small group or such. This app has a variety of ways in which it shows the meaning of the word which can help kids to more easily remember it and understand it in the context of the book they are reading.

Bluster!

This app is a game that students can play solo, as a team, or competitively against another player. Students race against time and weather to match as many vocabulary words as they can. There are three different levels of play on this app. This app is fit for grades K-5 and is extremely interactive and engaging for students to play.

I would use this app as a center or for students to play against one another during vocabulary instruction time. Students practice their vocabulary terms while staying engaged in their learning as well. This app is also great for students to practice on their own when first learning new terms as they are able to play against themselves until they feel they have mastered the words well enough to play against an opponent.

Strategies

Pre- reading

Pick out a few words, that students may not know, from the book students will be reading. Explore and teach those vocabulary words before students begin reading to help students understand the text better.

Definition Diagonals

Draw a box with a long line extending from each corner. Write the new vocabulary word in the center of the box, on each line have students write a synonym, draw a symbol, a short definition, and an example. There are many other clues you may choose to use as well such as antonym, prefix, base word, root word, figure of speech, etc.

Vocabulary Notebook

Have students complete a vocabulary notebook for new words they learn. In the notebook, divide the page in 4 sections. Write the word and definition in the first section, draw a picture in the second section, write a sentence using the word in the third section, the fourth section could be used for synonyms or other examples.

Visual and Verbal Word Association (VVWA)

Provide students with a piece of paper that contains four boxes. (templates can be found online) Students then complete the boxes as they are labeled: Term, Visual Representation, Definition, and Personal Association or Characteristics. This is a great way for students to organize their vocabulary terms as they may place all of their VVWA's in a folder or binder for easy access.

Concept Cube

Have each student create a cube with labels: synonym, antonym, vocabulary word, category it belongs to, essential characteristics, and example. Once students complete their cubes, have them get into pairs and roll the cube, whatever lands on top, the student must tell the relationship of that with the original vocabulary word. This is a great interactive way for students to practice their vocabulary terms while having fun! To make it more of a game, you can assign points. If a students tells the correct relationship they earn a point, if they do not know or tell the wrong relationship, no point is earned.

Website

https://www.vocabulary.com

This website allows students or the teacher to put in their own vocabulary words they want students to know and understand. On this website, students may practice those vocabulary words through fun and interactive games while learning their meanings and how to appropriately use them. This is definitely a great website to always have reference too, especially for upper elementary grades where vocabulary development is extremely crucial. In the future, I will use this website as not only a reference but also as a tool for my students to master new vocabulary terms.

References

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/word-must-dos-vocabulary-instruction-rebecca-alber

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knowji-vocab-lite-audio-visual/id580351269?mt=8

http://www.teachhub.com/teaching-strategies-5-ideas-instructing-vocabulary

^^Also a great reference for strategies^^

http://www.readingrockets.org/literacyapps/vocabulary

^^A great reference for Apps to use^^

Artifact

This bookmark is a great tool for students to have handy when reading. It gives a few different strategies students can use when they come across a new vocabulary word they may not know or understand. This bookmark is a resource every student should have on hand when reading.