Can you imagine being a Newcomer, or having been in the United States for a few years and hearing several different terms for essentially the same thing. An example might be: (5 take away 4 is 1) then the next year you learn (5 minus 4 equals 1), or maybe it is the same year just in different classes (pullouts, specials etc.). I know to some this seems minor, but when you are learning a new language, or you are a slow learner, it becomes jumbled in your brain. We need to teach the correct terms so that the struggling student can learn it correctly the first time. It is ok when explaining a new term to use words that the student can relate to in order to build upon their background knowledge, however we need to quickly introduce the proper vocabulary.
Academic Vocabulary words are broken into three tiers. Classrooms may have a word wall for each tier, however our district has defined the Academic Word Wall to consist of Tier II and Tier III words. Words that a student may not use in everyday language, words that are specific to a subject area. These words can be found on the OSDE website by following this link. Our district also has stated academic vocabulary words should be placed on the word wall as the word is introduced and taught.
Academic Vocabulary words are broken into three tiers. Classrooms may have a word wall for each tier, however our district has defined the Academic Word Wall to consist of Tier II and Tier III words. Words that a student may not use in everyday language, words that are specific to a subject area. These words can be found on the OSDE website by following this link. Our district also has stated academic vocabulary words should be placed on the word wall as the word is introduced and taught.
Having a place for students to keep Academic Vocabulary words so that they can refer back to them as needed is important too. A few ideas are: using the Marzano Method (write, define, illustrate) in a notebook; have an ongoing Interactive Notebook. Interactive Word Walls are also important in a classroom, you may have two or three going at a time.
Revisiting Academic Vocabulary in a center, or even a whole class game, after explicitly teaching them, is a wonderful way to review. Using SeeSaw to define or illustrate a word would be a way that parents can see the words the students are learning, or using an app such as Tellagami to build a character then define a word from the Academic Word Wall. Playing Bingo or Password would be two whole class ways to review. Students learn by doing, hands on activities will make academic words concrete.
In what ways are you teaching Tier II and Tier III Academic Vocabulary words in your classroom? Share at least one idea below (by September 6th at 8:00am) to enter your name into a drawing for this awesome Pineapple Giveaway package:
Book: Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon
Posters
Pencil Pouch
Classroom Awards
Classroom Bookmarks
Stickers
Notebook
Please reach out to me if I can assist, clarify, collaborate, or answer any questions about Academic Word Walls.
Teachingly,
Stephanie Hime
stephanie.hime@cpsreds.org
Extension 2002
https://hime.youcanbook.me
In what ways are you teaching Tier II and Tier III Academic Vocabulary words in your classroom? Share at least one idea below (by September 6th at 8:00am) to enter your name into a drawing for this awesome Pineapple Giveaway package:Book: Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon
Posters
Pencil Pouch
Classroom Awards
Classroom Bookmarks
Stickers
Notebook
Please reach out to me if I can assist, clarify, collaborate, or answer any questions about Academic Word Walls.
Teachingly,
Stephanie Hime
stephanie.hime@cpsreds.org
Extension 2002
https://hime.youcanbook.me
I love using interactive notebooks! They are wonderful place to keep academic vocabulary, reading passages that you want to keep as a reference, and so much more!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I am so glad you have found a place for your students to keep their words and take ownership of them.
DeleteI like Marzano Method! My students always enjoy working together as a class to come up with a "kid friendly" definition of the academic word. Then creating their own picture to go with the word really makes it theirs & how they can relate or remember that word.
ReplyDeleteI love that you said your students collaborate to come up with a “kid friendly” definition. Marzano Method is my favorite!
DeleteSince I am not a regular classroom teacher, I have never had centers in my classes (I am scared of centers). But this year, I want to implement them and use vocabulary in these centers. I think it will be a great way to reinforce the vocab words in a fun and deliberate way.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea for Music class!! Your littles are going to be so excited!!
DeleteWe have an academic vocabulary journal that we add one ELA and one math word to each week using the Marzano method. We include a section on our Marzano the says "What does that mean for me" so the words end of having a greater meaning to the kiddos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Adding this one statement would make the connection to the word so much more meaningful!
DeleteWe are word detectives! I give them a word from the academic vocabulary wall that they have to hunt (listen) for during a lesson. We try to guess what the word means before the lesson, then after we’ve hunted (heard) it, we discuss the word again to determine if we were accurate or not.
ReplyDeleteI can hear the Pink Panther theme playing in the background! Authentic learning at its best!
DeleteWe are using Marzano Method to put our Academic Vocabulary words into our own notebooks.
ReplyDeleteMarzano Method is a wonderful way for the students to take ownership of their words!
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ReplyDeleteWe are using the Marzano Method. We have a vocabulary section in our binders where we keep it. Students enjoy looking up the definition, coming up with their own definition, drawing a picture or symbol, writing a sentence using the word, and writing down the synonym! It's very beneficial!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how students love to take ownership of their own learning, I love this method also!
DeleteI am using the Marzano method of describing the vocabulary word then drawing it, as well as selecting knowledge level 1 to 4. I use Seesaw, Charades, word wall, and direct instruction to deepen their vocabulary base.
ReplyDeleteMarzano method allows the student to dig deeper and take ownership of their knowledge, isn't Seesaw fabulous to showcase learning! Awesome ideas!
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