Respond to discussion 5
Kymberly
Understanding the nature of vocabulary is important to the process of selecting appropriate instructional strategies that enable students to master the vocabulary they need to learn to read and to read to learn. When I was in school, I remember being shown the word. In other words, the teachers would label objects that were mostly concrete words, or nouns, that were easy to teach. I view them as helpful to a certain extinct. Yes, it is good to be able to provide students with an actual object when introducing vocabulary, but what happens if the student only understand what it looks like and still doesn’t understand what it actually means. In order to effectively teach students vocabulary we have to put ourselves in their shoes first. Then, the next strategy would be to make it engaging and fun for them to be more interested. Centers have become very common within the classrooms so teachers can designate one center for vocabulary. Also, another helpful strategy would be to constantly show the word, whether it’s in reading passages, placed around the room for any content area, or even used as a secret word outside of the classroom. The secret word strategy includes placing a vocabulary word outside of the room each day and require students to tell what the word is before entering. There are alot of great and effective strategies that can be used within our classrooms to improve our student’s vocabulary skills.
Victoria
When it comes to teaching vocabulary. I have tried different ways to teach vocabulary. I always tell my students to always write the word, down, define the word, and to use a sentence before I discuss the students with my students. It is good to have them some incite on what they are about learn it sometimes help them get a better understanding of it. My strategy was not as helpful because my students were still not getting an understanding of the content. Vocabulary strategies are important because in reading there will always be words that we do not understand. I allow my students to create their own vocabulary log. Students need a log and not only so I can teach the vocabulary that was given, but it also need to know that creating one will be explain you answer because you have gotten research. I do not just teach definitions, but I teach the content of how the definition and the how the word relates to text. Having a strategy not only help the students, but it helps the teachers because the teachers will know where to go with the students. Knowing what our students know is a good way we can get into to teaching with our students. I usually like to play games with the students and have them to determine the meaning and find sentences to see if they can relate it to the meaning of the word. Vocabulary can not be taught, but you take your students step by step to help them learn the meaning of different vocabulary words. Playing games and giving students treats and things when you are going over the vocabulary and the students get the correct answer. You have to come up with the strategy that works best for your class.
Helen
Vocabulary lessons were taught in such a way that the students received the vocabulary words and the we took them home, looked up the definition, and the class would go over the words. This was the method used with each one of our classes. The courses were English, Biology, and Literature. Vocabulary was not taken as serious as it is now. For this reason, I don’t think the strategies used to teach vocabulary words was very helpful. Vocabulary is very important for a child to fully comprehend reading passages in any subject. Students are encouraged to use vocabulary words in their everyday language no matter where they may be. According to the the article, “Ten Ways to Use Technology to Build Vocabulary,” to understand a text, one must understand the words that represent the ideas or concepts and states there is a high correlation between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension. I have incorporated eVoc Strategy 8: Increase Reading Volume by Reading Digital Text. The students have to have 45-60 minutes weekly of independent reading time. Students are monitored and have to keep a journal of the books read and also they are tested on the book. Students are also allowed to read books while at home and are encouraged to read at least 15-30 minutes daily. Old ways of teaching vocabulary words is in the past. Because of technology we must become more creative in order for our students to be successful.