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Weekly Lesson
Vocabulary: Why not make it fun!
I’m Just Saying…
Tamara’s thoughts on various aspects of the complex world of the English teacher
Vocabulary
This is one of those areas that I have seen little in the way of a “program” that works. Having not seen much improvement in vocabulary through various programs I used when I was teaching, I set out to find out from others if they had a vocabulary program they were really pleased with, something that worked. I have yet to hear about that program.
We know from research that traditional vocabulary approaches—provide the word, look up definitions, take a test—are not effective for long term retention. These are mini teach-to-the-test models and do not sustain real learning; they do not show up in communication months down the road. If you are teaching with a vocabulary workbook as a weekly routine, consider the alternatives. If you are pulling vocabulary from each thing they read and requiring them to learn the words, even if those words are not useful in daily life, reflect on that practice.
The absolute best way to improve vocabulary is through more reading. So that should always be the first goal of a strong vocabulary. Engage students as readers or the words are simply glossed over or seen just as an assignment. What if our main objective, our only assessment, was to try to make kids want to become lifelong readers and writers? This philosophy drives all other instruction. When they care about reading and words, vocabulary lessons, and all others, come much easier and we’ve created more than a competent test-taker.
This was one of the most time-consuming packets I have yet to create. I searched, read, and reviewed research. I played with tools, games, and activities. And I surfed sites, lessons, and blogs. The conclusion was brief and simple. Have fun with words. I hope some brave souls will consider this non-traditional approach, record the results, and let me know how it goes. From what I have read, this is perhaps the best approach to vocabulary—and hurray for all involved—the most enjoyable.
Good luck and happy teaching.
Tamara
Tamara’s thoughts on various aspects of the complex world of the English teacher
Vocabulary
This is one of those areas that I have seen little in the way of a “program” that works. Having not seen much improvement in vocabulary through various programs I used when I was teaching, I set out to find out from others if they had a vocabulary program they were really pleased with, something that worked. I have yet to hear about that program.
We know from research that traditional vocabulary approaches—provide the word, look up definitions, take a test—are not effective for long term retention. These are mini teach-to-the-test models and do not sustain real learning; they do not show up in communication months down the road. If you are teaching with a vocabulary workbook as a weekly routine, consider the alternatives. If you are pulling vocabulary from each thing they read and requiring them to learn the words, even if those words are not useful in daily life, reflect on that practice.
The absolute best way to improve vocabulary is through more reading. So that should always be the first goal of a strong vocabulary. Engage students as readers or the words are simply glossed over or seen just as an assignment. What if our main objective, our only assessment, was to try to make kids want to become lifelong readers and writers? This philosophy drives all other instruction. When they care about reading and words, vocabulary lessons, and all others, come much easier and we’ve created more than a competent test-taker.
This was one of the most time-consuming packets I have yet to create. I searched, read, and reviewed research. I played with tools, games, and activities. And I surfed sites, lessons, and blogs. The conclusion was brief and simple. Have fun with words. I hope some brave souls will consider this non-traditional approach, record the results, and let me know how it goes. From what I have read, this is perhaps the best approach to vocabulary—and hurray for all involved—the most enjoyable.
Good luck and happy teaching.
Tamara
| vocabulary_lessons.pdf |
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Orlando, October 4-8 in Orlando and start your year with the tools necessary to save time in the classroom while providing relevant and rigorous curriculum. These workshops will cover ALL you need to have the best year yet. Take any combination of the three workshops offered. View the information below of click here to download and register.
Sites Worth Saving
These are some of my favorite sites.
Visit theEnglish Teacher's Friend Delicious bookmarking site to see hundreds of great sites.
English Companion NingThis site, run by Jim Burke, is a great place for collaboration and advice.
The NYTimes Learning Network provides excellent lessons and articles for grades 6-12.
The OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University is my go-to source for all things grammar and writing related. Excellent practices, explanations, assistance.
AdLit.Org is one of my new favorite sites. Everything reading related is here. Check out the Ask the Experts page and a very cool new writing project using popular authors and prizes--the Exquisite Writing Prompt. Great stuff.
Visit theEnglish Teacher's Friend Delicious bookmarking site to see hundreds of great sites.
English Companion NingThis site, run by Jim Burke, is a great place for collaboration and advice.
The NYTimes Learning Network provides excellent lessons and articles for grades 6-12.
The OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University is my go-to source for all things grammar and writing related. Excellent practices, explanations, assistance.
AdLit.Org is one of my new favorite sites. Everything reading related is here. Check out the Ask the Experts page and a very cool new writing project using popular authors and prizes--the Exquisite Writing Prompt. Great stuff.
Up For Grabs:
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Check here every week for a newly updated list.
Click on Fullscreen to view the list and then email me at tamara@englishteachersfriend.com with your selections.
Premium members can select 5-10 items from this list each week. I will send your requests free of charge once or twice a month.
Check here every week for a newly updated list.
Click on Fullscreen to view the list and then email me at tamara@englishteachersfriend.com with your selections.
Simply enter your email above to start receiving the Monday Morning Connection, a weekly newsletter which features a new lesson or collection of resources designed specifically for middle and high school English teachers.
I want to say a huge THANK YOU to Tamara for making my life so much easier. I asked her at the beginning of summer vacation to create 10 multiple-choice tests for each of my summer reading books. They were all created and delivered along with answer keys for each. I cannot even imagine where I would have found time to do what she did! I also received another package of freebies this week (books and pencils!). I will definitely be renewing my membership. I am able to do so much more with Tamara's help, and I am recommending her to everyone I know.
Kelly M.
Premium Member
Kelly M.
Premium Member
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Two trucks loaded with thousands of copies of Roget's Thesaurus collided as they left a New York publishing house last Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
Witnesses were aghast, amazed, astonished, astounded, bemused, benumbed, bewildered, confounded, confused, dazed, dazzled, disconcerted, disoriented, dumbstruck, electrified, flabbergasted, horrified, immobilized, incredulous, nonplussed, overwhelmed, paralyzed, perplexed, scared, shocked, startled, stunned, stupified, surprised, taken aback, traumatized, upset. . . .
Witnesses were aghast, amazed, astonished, astounded, bemused, benumbed, bewildered, confounded, confused, dazed, dazzled, disconcerted, disoriented, dumbstruck, electrified, flabbergasted, horrified, immobilized, incredulous, nonplussed, overwhelmed, paralyzed, perplexed, scared, shocked, startled, stunned, stupified, surprised, taken aback, traumatized, upset. . . .
Popular Pages on This Site
Publication Page: for an updated list of places to publish student work and ongoing contests.
Reports and Research: a collection of research involving English teacher concerns and curriculum. Much more coming soon.
Let's Talk Books for a long list of titles popular for young adults, as well as lessons and book reviews.
Icebreaker Lessons - always popular this time of year.
Last Week's Newsletter material is now available on the Writing /Lessons page.
Reports and Research: a collection of research involving English teacher concerns and curriculum. Much more coming soon.
Let's Talk Books for a long list of titles popular for young adults, as well as lessons and book reviews.
Icebreaker Lessons - always popular this time of year.
Last Week's Newsletter material is now available on the Writing /Lessons page.