Saturday, August 23, 2014

W.O.W...For Teaching Vocabulary!



“Vocabulary instruction to improve language skills:  Hmmm…which vocabulary words do I use?”
This year our school made it a school improvement plan goal to focus on vocabulary instruction to implement research based approaches school-wide. 

At the beginning of the summer I asked myself…”How do I know which words to focus on in my classroom?  I already teach vocabulary directly through the usage of word walls and student dictionaries (not to mention interactive vocabulary activities in Reading Groups, Math, Science, and Social Studies).  What else can I possibly do that we are not already doing?

The problem I quickly realized once I started to read and research is I have focused too much on concept words for content instead of conversational words that teach students meaningful and rich language skills.  For years I have posted words on the board that focus on Science and Social Studies topics as the basis for vocabulary instruction.  In reading groups I have introduced science terms and lists of words that are embedded in stories in order to enhance story meaning.

Basically… I have been focusing mostly on concept words instead of words that enrich student vocabularies for speaking and writing.  After reading, I learned that direct instruction of “conversational” words (Tier Two Words) is just as important (if not more important) to teach directly.  Tier Three Words are concept or content words that are appropriate for subject matter, but not as necessary for conversations or written expression.  Click on the pictures below to read about the Three Tier Model of Vocabulary Instruction (by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan):

So… How do I best teach Tier Two Words?
After looking at the suggested strategies for instruction of Tier Two Words my first thought was, “Wow…this makes so much sense and is so age-appropriate for what we are already doing!”  As a second grade teacher we teach how words work and how we use them in language.  Tier Two Word instruction focuses on exposing the conversational words over and over again through conversations, writing, and usage.  Skills and strategies are taught directly through the Tier Two Words.  Marzano’s steps to teaching vocabulary is powerful for teaching these Tier Two Words:
1.Description
2.Restate
3.Drawing
4.Activities
5. Discussion
6. Games 

I decided to develop a weekly lesson format and interactive notebook (W.O.W Book) that would work best for me in my classroom.  I have always loved the idea of teaching W.O.W. (Words of the Week) in a classroom! 

I knew… I needed a structured format that allowed for planned instruction throughout the week.  It needed to be quick and to the point due to lack of time in our daily schedule.
I knew… my students did well with interactive notebooks to use as anchor charts or resources during writing workshop or reading groups. I wanted to provide a resource for them to make their own.
I knew… vocabulary instruction should require my students to link new words to their already “known or existing” vocabularies.  Basically, the vocabulary should build and be integrative.
I knew… repetition and usage of the words needed to be integrated into the lesson format.

I am tickled to share with you my…
Words of the Week Interactive Vocabulary and Spelling Notebook!
On Sale Today! (20% Off)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/WOW-Words-of-the-Week-Vocabulary-and-Spelling-Interactive-Notebook-1357208

It is loaded with everything I need to teach Tier Two Vocabulary Words and more this year!  All I have to do is pick 2 words a week from the list…and follow the sample lesson plan provided in the packet!  Lessons are quick and to the point!

This 315 paged-packet gives all the tools needed for my easy 7-step program of direct vocabulary instruction.  Included are all the resources a teacher needs for weekly vocabulary instruction (K-5 Tier 2 word lists and teaching posters) along with spelling ideas and a second grade spelling list. Here is what all is included in my W.O.W. Book download in my store on TpT:

• W.O.W. Student Notebook Covers 
• W.O.W. Seven Steps to Teaching Vocabulary (Weekly Teaching Guide)
• Parent Letter
• W.O.W. Student Pledge
• Vocabulary Word Prior Knowledge Chart
• W.O.W. Seven Step Vocabulary Tickets
• W.O.W. Seven Step Teaching Posters
• Tier 2 Word Lists (Grades K-5) *Choose two a week from any list 
• Word Wall Word Cards for Each List
• Science Vocabulary Word List
• W.O.W. Vocabulary Test Template
• Notebook Tabs and Dividers (A-Z or by the month)
• Notebook Spine Labels
• Optional Spelling Cover
• W.O.W. Spelling Tickets
• Spelling Word List (Second Grade)
• W.O.W. Spelling Test Template
• Spelling Word Dictionary Pages (A-Z)
• W.O.W. Notebook Anchor Charts (Prefixes/Suffixes/Multiple Meaning Words/Antonyms/Synonyms
• Cut & Paste Pockets of Words (A-Z Notebook pockets for Vocabulary Flashcards)
• Vocabulary Word Flip-n-Fold Booklet
• Vocabulary Word Writing Page
• Vocabulary Word Splash Web (Semantic Concept Map)
• The Root of It All (Interactive Notebook Templates)
• Shades of Meaning (Interactive Notebook Templates)
• Movie Night Word Meanings (Interactive Notebook Template)
• Crazy Daisy Word Meanings (Interactive Notebook Template)
• Hop on the Vocabulary Bus ((Interactive Notebook Template)
• Word Ladder Links ((Interactive Notebook Templates)
• Vocabulary Flips (Interactive Notebook Template)
• Multiple Meaning Words (Interactive Flap Booklet)
• Antonyms (Interactive Flap Booklet)
• Synonyms (Interactive Flap Booklet)
• Vocabulary Words T Chart (Comparing Word Meanings)
• Vocabulary Word Venn Diagram (Comparing Word Meanings)

We’ve spent the last two weeks getting our W.O.W. Books assembled and had a blast this last week starting our lessons!  Here are some pictures of my students cutting their tab dividers and letter pockets for their word cards.  Yes…the students cut and put EVERYTHING together in their 2-inch binders!  I could see them taking ownership of their notebooks more than if I had put them together ahead of time!
This kiddo is cutting out his tab dividers and lining them up in ABC order to assemble.
This kiddo is cutting out his pockets for vocabulary flashcards.
The first thing you see in their W.O.W. Notebooks is the Student W.O.W. Pledge!  We did this first thing together on Monday and discussed what each check meant before they all signed!

We only focus on two words a week!  Our words this week were friendly and ownership.  I chose these words because we are working on character education words as well.  I clipped my sample lesson plan to my board and followed it daily to keep me on task each day (I have a tendency to overteach and lessons can run too long).  Lessons were short and sweet…but powerful!

I’d love for you to check out my W.O.W. Notebook and let me know what you think.  Watch for updates as I let you know how the W.O.W Books are going.   I can’t wait to see how my students “use” their words in their conversations and writing this year!  Thanks so much friends and let me know if you have any questions! 
                                                                Yvonne


Sunday, August 3, 2014

Time for the Back to School Sale!

The 2014 TpT Back to School Sale is on and ready!  As of midnight tonight, everything in MY STORE will be 20% off and you can save an additional 10% by using the TpT code...BTS14!
  I hope you and your students have a great school year!  Our school has made it a school improvement goal to work on vocabulary so I spent my summer creating a resource that will help me teach vocabulary and spelling routinely!!!  I hope you will check it out...
Take a peek at the preview:
Included are Tier 2 vocabulary word wall cards for grades K-5...
I am sooo excited about this notebook!  It is loaded with over 300+ pages at an excellent price for what all is included!  

Because vocabulary is my focus at the moment...I've created a little FREEBIE for you as well.  

This is a sample of some of the great resources you will receive when you purchase the W.O.W. notebook.  Enjoy and happy TpT shopping friends!
-Yvonne



Thursday, March 27, 2014

Spring Cleaning Sale!


Almost Spring Break! 
This weekend I am joining my TpT friends and having a special spring sale in my  TpT shop!   All of my teaching goodies are 20% off!  This is a great time to get your springtime centers and math tubs to wrap up your school year!

 If you are like me, I just love springtime, sunshine, and shopping!
Click on this picture above to go check it out!
Thanks sweet friends and let me know if you have any questions.


Yvonne

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

3 Million Strong TpT Sale!


It's almost time for Teachers Pay Teachers' HUGE 3 Million Teacher Strong Sale! That means, starting tomorrow, you can save up to 28% off of your most favorite products with the code TPT3!
Happy Shopping sweet friends!  I plan to load up on Science materials since our school is currently working towards being STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) certified.  

Here are some of my more recent teaching packets I will have on sale starting tomorrow!




Here are some of my March and Spring packets I will have on sale starting tomorrow!

                             Happy shopping friends!  -Yvonne 



Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Ice...Snow...and a Sweet Sale!





Snow, sleet, and freezing rain...what more could a teacher ask for?  I am LOVING this little winter break we are getting.   Here we are on day 3 of our ice storm and it has allowed me some much needed time to work on my teaching packets!  As we head into a lovely Valentine's weekend, I am excited to share that I've completed my Super Kids Sight Words Activities and More! 


This is a comprehensive packet for Kindergarten through 2nd grade containing 390 pages of sweet activities and worksheets ready to print and use!  It is one that I've wanted to make since joining the blogging world and TpT.  To celebrate posting this 3 month long project (YES...it took me 3 months to make it) and to heat up the weekend a little...I am having a Valentine's Day sale!  Everything in my store will be 20% off tomorrow (Thursday) through Sunday. I'd "love" for you to stop by and shop.  I've enjoyed having the time at home to do some much needed blog hopping and shopping myself these past couple of days.  Have a happy Valentine's Day and hopefully we will all be back with our "babes" on Friday for our Valentine's parties.  Love ya!-Yvonne