So how can you effectively teach vocabulary? How can you help students learn and take ownership of the unfamiliar words they encounter? Below are a few ideas Carolyn from Middle School Cafe incorporates in her class throughout the year to increase student knowledge of vocabulary.
Word of the week
Students need multiple authentic exposures to words before they become part of their regular vocabulary.
Using a variety of activities centered around 1 word for 5 days give students the exposure they need to take ownership of new words. In Word of the Week activities, students are seeing and using a new word each day for 5 days. Activities involve, defining the word, completing a Frayer model of the word, illustrating the word, writing a paragraph highlighting the meaning of the word, and more.
You’ll be surprised at how many students start seeing their Words of the Week vocabulary words in their reading, in other class work and even in their other subject areas. It’s awesome when students start recognizing their vocabulary words and share their excitement with you.
Word walls
Word walls are a great way to keep subject area vocabulary in front of students all year.
Carolyn has a word wall with her most used ELA terms (character, plot, genres, etc…) posted, that she often references during reading or writing conferences.
She also has a smaller word wall with unit specific vocabulary (narrative, claim, research etc…) that she changes with each unit.
Word walls are most effective when they are referenced in class during instruction. Be careful to not let your word walls become stagnant bulletin boards. Keep your word wall fresh and relevant.
Word Bank Quick Writes
Give students opportunities to use vocabulary in their writing pieces. Many times during a quick write warm up activity, Carolyn will post 2 – 4 related vocabulary words on the board then ask students to incorporate them into a paragraph (Using them correctly of course!).
Even if a student can’t use all of the vocabulary words posted, students are still focusing on the meaning of the words, thinking about the word and how to use it correctly. This helps them take ownership of the word – a win-win for all!
Root Words
Can your students decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words? Give them the tools needed to decipher words on their own by teaching them the meaning of root words. By intentionally teaching the meanings of root words, students can more accurately determine the meaning of the unfamiliar words they encounter in their own reading.
Vocab in Pictures
Visual representations of words is another way Carolyn gets her students to learn the word beyond the definition. When students are required to draw a picture of the meaning of the word or the word in action, students are thinking about the word on a deeper level. The picture itself is something that allows them to see the word in a different way.
Often students will challenge each other to see who can draw the word in the most creative way – they make it a contest. As long as Carolyn doesn’t have to be the judge of the contest, she is happy to see her students having fun and engaged in the lesson!
