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One of the most effective ways a teacher can help students build a stronger vocabulary for their writing is through regular vocabulary-building exercises and activities. These can include assigning weekly vocabulary lists for students to learn and use in their writing assignments, as well as encouraging them to read widely to encounter new words in …
How the Power of Word Choice Started The words we use with students and the words that students use in their educational experience, social worlds, and internal monologue matter. Teaching them the power of word choice is key. Last year, Miss Krzyzanowski had an exit ticket early in the year that asked “What is something …
This summer you might be pre-reading or re-reading some novels you’ll want to teach next year in any number of your ELA classes. While you’re brainstorming ideas for these units of study, consider how you might offer a tech twist on your vocabulary instruction using self-marking Google Forms. In grade 11 students at my school …
I clearly remember the days when I would introduce a list of vocabulary words on Monday, have students look up the definition and write a sentence using the word during the week, and then test on Friday. Bet you can guess how miserable the results were for most students, right? To be honest, I didn’t …
I must admit that formal vocabulary hasn’t been a core aspect in the classes I teach. Certainly, I facilitate and encourage students to look up words they don’t know and to maintain their own vocabulary lists. However, I don’t assess or test this vocabulary, nor do I really check in on those lists. More often …
This week Samantha K is sharing how she tackles vocabulary in the upper-grade levels. It’s nothing fancy, but it is an idea to add to your toolbox. She works to balance the fun element of learning with the long-term skill focus with older students. When it comes to vocabulary, Samantha looks at the goals for …
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 …
Teaching vocabulary is an important part in helping our students understand and appreciate the literature they are reading, but the methods of incorporating vocab study into our lessons haven’t always been the most engaging. When I realized I could ditch the paper and pencil worksheets in favor of a more energized approach, my vocabulary lessons …
When I started teaching, I knew I had to include vocabulary into my curriculum. Overwhelmed with all of the typical new teacher stress, I adopted the ancient practice of: vocabulary lesson on Monday, Kahoot! Review on Thursday, and vocabulary quiz on Friday. I even created a summative vocabulary test for students to take at the …
