I'd like to chime in on this vocabulary conversation. I teach 3rd grade in a school with majority of the student's being ELL's and in a high poverty area. For many years, we were like most schools that simple were not getting results. I'm happy to say that we now are no longer a NCLB program improvement school. One of the way's we have most out of it is by focusing on vocabulary acquisition. We also follow Isabel Beck's approach and use the vocabulary program Elements of Reading: Vocabulary. This program and Beck's approach has produced an excitment in our school. Because multiple exposures of the words are given, supported with visuals, and ample oral practice, our students are owning these words. I have had students come to school the next day telling me they heard these words on tv. They track words they find while reading. As a teacher, I become more cognizant of the words and find myself using them in my vocabulary throughout the day. As I look over them on the state tests, I myself find these words on the test and am blown away about how much meaning would be lost if they hadn't learned them.
I would highly recommend reading her book "Bringing Words to Life" and think about the approach she gives. I have seen a change in my students' vocabulary, both written and orally. Stephanie 3rd grade, Nor. Cal _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
