Word Nerds

According to the Virginia Department of Education, many of the reading selections on the Reading SOL test are incorporating more complex sentence structure and vocabulary. SOL 5.4 states that students "will expand vocabulary when reading." Student performance data from the VDOE shows that students need to continue to develop the following skills:

a) Use context to clarify meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases.

c) Use knowledge of roots, affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.

f) Study word meanings across content areas.
Because of the increased rigor of the Virginia Reading SOL test, there is a new focus on vocabulary instruction in the classroom. Students need to be provided with opportunities throughout the year to work with the components of vocabulary understanding. They need opportunities to work with roots, prefixes, and suffixes. They need opportunities to work with synonyms/examples and antonyms/non-examples. They need opportunities to develop a schema of words that will help them figure out the more challenging, multisyllabic words they will see with the more rigorous way vocabulary is tested on the SOL. Provided with these opportunities, students will begin to develop a love of language, which is what we really want in the end.

As promised, this blog will serve as a means for me to share some of my favorite professional resources. Books that have changed the way I think about teaching. Books that have provided insight into how to incorporate best practices into my instruction. And so, without further ado, let me introduce you to Word Nerds.

Word Nerds is an amazing resource on how implement vocabulary instruction that not only improves students' word knowledge, but also turns students into lovers of language. The authors show you (and provide you with the resources needed) to weave vocabulary into each school day using multisensory instruction that includes music, art, literature, movement, games, drama, writing, test-taking skills, and technology. I read this book last summer and incorporated some of the ideas/activities into my vocabulary instruction. Pleased with the results, I reread parts this summer with plans to incorporate the full vocabulary cycle as part of my daily routine. I am excited to let you know how it goes!

Here is some more info from the Stenhouse Publishers website:

With support from literacy specialist Brenda Overturf, Leslie and Margot have developed a five-part plan—introducing new words in context, adding related synonyms and antonyms, engaging students in several days of active learning, celebrating new words, and assessing vocabulary development—that teaches all students to learn and love vocabulary.

This easy-to-read reference explains how to plan, teach, and assess based on the latest research in vocabulary instruction and learning. Forget copying definitions from the dictionary and completing boring worksheets! Word mastery comes from intimate knowledge of language. From prediction to practice to performance, students from all backgrounds can discover how to make words their own. After incorporating Leslie's and Margot's vocabulary plan into your daily instruction, you and your students can become word nerds, too!

Click on the link below to preview the book and to get a free study guide.
http://www.stenhouse.com/html/word-nerds.htm?r=g030&gclid=ci3hkitoomacfwor7aodebuaga#sthash.N9g2uwLc.dpuf