Notes from A's Class

Vocabulary
Who is putting new words in their heads by 3rd grade?
Make a concerted effort to continue putting new words in their heads. If not, by third of fourth grade, they may look like they have a word recognition problem when really they have a vocabulary problem. A student reading comes to the word "proficient" for the first time. If that word is not already in their head, they won't be able to read it. If they have heard it used before and know what it means, they will be able to figure it out from context.

What: learning the meaning of new words
Why important: Comprehending text; communicating; building self-esteem.
How: be a model (push their vocabulary in spoken comments, comments on papers. To be an effective teacher, you have to make them want to learn. Don't you think if you put new vocabulary into your praise, don't you think they'll want to know what the word means?); continue reading to the students; teach with the why in mind. Teach them morphemes; teach a few a week and their vocabularies will grow exponentially; antebellum and beligerent. Start with words they don't know. Not only does it exponentially increase their vocabulary, it allows them to figure out words they don't know. Spectacles, inspect, spectator. Teach them etymology; history or story of words; how you were named; If your mind doesn't wonder, it will wander. Teach them word play. Word searches are the lowest form of this. Crossword puzzle incorporates semantic, syntactic, and grapho-phonic clues.