I found the strategies in this chapter to be very useful. For example, I liked the strategy where the student gives a + or – to themselves depending on how comfortable they are with the vocabulary word. The goal of the chart is to end up with all pluses as the student adds and makes changes to their chart or graphic organizer. Also, the Semantic Feature Analysis chart is another strategy I can see myself referring to and using with students. It allows students to lean on their preferred way of learning whether it be visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. Then there’s the sample math journal. I find that students are always asking when am I ever going to use this? I think this requires higher-level thinking to put in their own words where their math will be used or found in the real world.
I found the vocab. self-awareness chart cool, too, but would like to rename it. I think kids respond so much more enthusiastically to an activity when they like the name you call it! I also reread that part, because I thought they were keeping that one as a whole-class chart, which they weren't suggesting to do... but I think kids would like to know which words others had some comfort with or were new to them, as well. Could leave it up, as we do in class with our check marks next to words or concepts we agree with. Keeps a class pulse!
I also liked the + and - chart. I can see that it will make students really reflect on the words and judge how comfortable they are with each of them. Karen, have you thought of a cool name yet?
Kelsie, I too had identified the math journal as a strategy I would implement. In the past, I have selected the vocabulary and formulas that I thought they would need to understand for each unit. We have used word maps but I thought that adding the element of having the students identify real world examples would help them internalize the vocabulary. I also thought that if I had them examine the end of unit assessment at the start and identify for themselves what they needed to know it would put the ownership of the learning in their hands.
Kathleen, I like how you go over the assessment with the students beforehand so that they know what to look for and are more focused. I especially find this to be helpful when the students have a reading assignment and comprehension questions to answer at the end. I like to read through the questions with the students so that hopefully the answers to the questions will jump out at them as they are reading.
Kathy, I loved the idea of the math journal. The strategy you had with examining the end of unit assessment and becoming responsible for their own learning to an extent is great. Too often I tell my students they need to take responsibility at some point... I cant open their heads and pour in knowledge... this is a great way to start that right from the beginning of the unit.
I haven't been as consistent with it is as I should but when I am that purposeful in my planning the students feel more empowered and are more invested in their learning. We are about to start a new unit in math, integers. I am going to have my students do some of the backwards mapping and create a math journal. I will let you know how it goes.
Great chapter on vocabulary strategies! As a special educator I find this is a key deficit area for the students I service. I am always looking for new strategies and multiple modalities to teach my diverse learners...my favorite was the shades of meaning. I could even make a personal connection to the many shades of Mrs. Wellington's hair for the many times I change its color(s), LOL. I started using quizlet.com a few years ago. My son's Italian teacher used it to teach new vocabulary- my middle level students enjoy the games and ability to test themselves (matching, true/false, multiple choice) in preparation for a science test especially, which involves many new technical vocabulary words. My only reservation is not to rely strictly on memorization. I just used quizlet while reading about Helen Keller and Cesar Chavez in ELA (overcoming obstacles/adversity unit) and had the students create a quizlet set for the vocabulary they struggle with as we read- so far it is been very helpful as they locate their own individualized lists before / during reading.
Heather, I hear students talk about going on quizlet to study for a test all the time. I even use it when I am studying for the Praxis tests. I like that it can test you on the vocabulary in different ways. It is a great resource. I also liked this chapter for the variety of strategies, but most of all for the strategies it offers for each subject. This is definitely a text book I can see myself referring back to.
Can you guys teach me quizlet? I am not familiar with it! Also loved the paint chip activity to show connotations of words; am anticipating a stealth trip to True Value and Home Depot over vacation to "sample" a few shades to use in class!
Karen, go to Quizlet.com or google quizlet. It's pretty self explanatory and easy to use. It has vocabulary words and their definitions, which you could print out as flashcards if you wanted to. It also has different games to play with the vocabulary words and a test to try that has multiple choice, true or false, and fill in the blank. It's a great tool for the English Praxis I'm taking in May, and it's free!
Many of these strategies are very useful and could expand a student's vocabulary but I have had word journals in my class as well as word trees, where a student give the prefix definition, suffix definition and key word with definition. Though, determining what vocab is important is questionable it seems. I want to be familiar with vocabulary that is in testing situations but also do not want to sacrifice content vocab for it. With word walls I find them to be in better use if the words were used constantly in class. Having a few words be incorporated and part of assignments, could aid students in retaining the usage and definition of the word but again it seems the most important vocabulary is the vocabulary that is on a test they have been taking for a few weeks now(PARCC)
Fred, I'm going to fight with you on the testing vocabulary. I am tired of teaching to the test. I like that we are engaged in learning "real teaching" again, through these classes, and want to help kids do more than learn in order to pass the test, which information they will then proceed to forget the next day! I like the choice element, the ownership involved, and the focus on making it apply to their lives; vocab. stands way more of a chance of being mastered if they've learned to use it and act it out and play games with it and make maps and diagrams with it.! Don't get me wrong, I want success on the PARCC, but I want success in the real world more.
Fred, I have worked in a classroom where the student put a star next to the word on the word wall if they used it in class. The teacher also kept count of how many words a student used. It was a while ago, but I think the student received a tangible prize. You could tweek it and decide how you want to reward the student. But I think the fact that the class recognizes when a vocabulary word is used is great!
I found the strategies in this chapter to be very useful. For example, I liked the strategy where the student gives a + or – to themselves depending on how comfortable they are with the vocabulary word. The goal of the chart is to end up with all pluses as the student adds and makes changes to their chart or graphic organizer. Also, the Semantic Feature Analysis chart is another strategy I can see myself referring to and using with students. It allows students to lean on their preferred way of learning whether it be visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. Then there’s the sample math journal. I find that students are always asking when am I ever going to use this? I think this requires higher-level thinking to put in their own words where their math will be used or found in the real world.
ReplyDeleteI found the vocab. self-awareness chart cool, too, but would like to rename it. I think kids respond so much more enthusiastically to an activity when they like the name you call it! I also reread that part, because I thought they were keeping that one as a whole-class chart, which they weren't suggesting to do... but I think kids would like to know which words others had some comfort with or were new to them, as well. Could leave it up, as we do in class with our check marks next to words or concepts we agree with. Keeps a class pulse!
DeleteI also liked the + and - chart. I can see that it will make students really reflect on the words and judge how comfortable they are with each of them. Karen, have you thought of a cool name yet?
DeleteKelsie, I too had identified the math journal as a strategy I would implement. In the past, I have selected the vocabulary and formulas that I thought they would need to understand for each unit. We have used word maps but I thought that adding the element of having the students identify real world examples would help them internalize the vocabulary. I also thought that if I had them examine the end of unit assessment at the start and identify for themselves what they needed to know it would put the ownership of the learning in their hands.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I like how you go over the assessment with the students beforehand so that they know what to look for and are more focused. I especially find this to be helpful when the students have a reading assignment and comprehension questions to answer at the end. I like to read through the questions with the students so that hopefully the answers to the questions will jump out at them as they are reading.
DeleteKathy, I loved the idea of the math journal. The strategy you had with examining the end of unit assessment and becoming responsible for their own learning to an extent is great. Too often I tell my students they need to take responsibility at some point... I cant open their heads and pour in knowledge... this is a great way to start that right from the beginning of the unit.
DeleteI haven't been as consistent with it is as I should but when I am that purposeful in my planning the students feel more empowered and are more invested in their learning. We are about to start a new unit in math, integers. I am going to have my students do some of the backwards mapping and create a math journal. I will let you know how it goes.
DeleteGreat chapter on vocabulary strategies! As a special educator I find this is a key deficit area for the students I service. I am always looking for new strategies and multiple modalities to teach my diverse learners...my favorite was the shades of meaning. I could even make a personal connection to the many shades of Mrs. Wellington's hair for the many times I change its color(s), LOL. I started using quizlet.com a few years ago. My son's Italian teacher used it to teach new vocabulary- my middle level students enjoy the games and ability to test themselves (matching, true/false, multiple choice) in preparation for a science test especially, which involves many new technical vocabulary words. My only reservation is not to rely strictly on memorization. I just used quizlet while reading about Helen Keller and Cesar Chavez in ELA (overcoming obstacles/adversity unit) and had the students create a quizlet set for the vocabulary they struggle with as we read- so far it is been very helpful as they locate their own individualized lists before / during reading.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I hear students talk about going on quizlet to study for a test all the time. I even use it when I am studying for the Praxis tests. I like that it can test you on the vocabulary in different ways. It is a great resource. I also liked this chapter for the variety of strategies, but most of all for the strategies it offers for each subject. This is definitely a text book I can see myself referring back to.
DeleteI'm using quizlet as we speak...I have another American Government exam tomorrow night. Don't you love it Kelsie!
DeleteCan you guys teach me quizlet? I am not familiar with it!
DeleteAlso loved the paint chip activity to show connotations of words; am anticipating a stealth trip to True Value and Home Depot over vacation to "sample" a few shades to use in class!
Road trip Karen, I'm coming with you! We'll have to cycle over to the hardware store over April vacation :)
DeleteOne of my son's teachers uses Quizlet.com. I've never used that piece of technology, but maybe I need to try it.
DeleteKaren, go to Quizlet.com or google quizlet. It's pretty self explanatory and easy to use. It has vocabulary words and their definitions, which you could print out as flashcards if you wanted to. It also has different games to play with the vocabulary words and a test to try that has multiple choice, true or false, and fill in the blank. It's a great tool for the English Praxis I'm taking in May, and it's free!
DeleteMany of these strategies are very useful and could expand a student's vocabulary but I have had word journals in my class as well as word trees, where a student give the prefix definition, suffix definition and key word with definition. Though, determining what vocab is important is questionable it seems. I want to be familiar with vocabulary that is in testing situations but also do not want to sacrifice content vocab for it. With word walls I find them to be in better use if the words were used constantly in class. Having a few words be incorporated and part of assignments, could aid students in retaining the usage and definition of the word but again it seems the most important vocabulary is the vocabulary that is on a test they have been taking for a few weeks now(PARCC)
ReplyDeleteFred, I'm going to fight with you on the testing vocabulary. I am tired of teaching to the test. I like that we are engaged in learning "real teaching" again, through these classes, and want to help kids do more than learn in order to pass the test, which information they will then proceed to forget the next day! I like the choice element, the ownership involved, and the focus on making it apply to their lives; vocab. stands way more of a chance of being mastered if they've learned to use it and act it out and play games with it and make maps and diagrams with it.! Don't get me wrong, I want success on the PARCC, but I want success in the real world more.
DeleteFred, I have worked in a classroom where the student put a star next to the word on the word wall if they used it in class. The teacher also kept count of how many words a student used. It was a while ago, but I think the student received a tangible prize. You could tweek it and decide how you want to reward the student. But I think the fact that the class recognizes when a vocabulary word is used is great!
Delete