Today we focussed on vocabulary and the importance of ensuring we provide robust vocabulary instruction. I don't currently follow any sort of progression, it has more been just as I have identified a certain need/gap but after todays session I can see how it is important to have a more structured approach. I am going to try and rework my timetable over the holidays and incorporate one or two mini vocabulary sessions each week as well as introducing some vocabulary activities into my contracts. I know our school has a set of the 'Switch on to Spelling' books so I am going to have a look at them to see if they have a progression that I might be able to use.
I was so glad to see that one of the things we were focussing on today was building on from our ground rules for talk by introducing roles during our conversations. This fits in so well with my 'Assesment for Learning' professional development goal which is to: Find more ways to elicit evidence of learning from a greater number of students. During one of my observations we identified that it was the same few students contributing or answering questions so I have been looking at ways to involve more students and give me a better indication of who understands the learning and who is just cruising in the background unnoticed. I will definitley be introducing the 'initiator' and 'builder' role prompts to my class...
I am also going to add the 'Cambridge Dictionary' to our class site as I really liked that it has the ability to read the word aloud. I am going to have a good look through the resoruces shared with us and organise some vocabulary activities that I will introduce next term and keep repeating so that they can become indepenedent activities in their contract.
I do have a type of word wall set up in my class but we have not really been utilising it so I think I will look into a more interactive appealing type of display. I think I might also try and incorporate a 'kupu o te ra' into our morning routine (maybe 2-3 times a week to make it more manageable). I think this will generate some good discussion and hopefully create some excitement as my students look forward to finding out what the new word is each couple of days.
Kia ora Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI love the initiator and building prompts they fit into any curriculum area. They are great for developing conversation, justifying, and debating. The cambridge dictionary looks great I have enjoyed exploring the app. I will pop in next time I am at Oturu to see your " kupu o te ra".
The reflections on your blog are great for me to learn some of the great resources and ideas from the RPI.
Donna
Kia ora Stacey
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your takeaways and reflections from Day 6: Vocabulary (and decoding). In particular, that you are going to target some of your focus to building word consciousness and an appreciation of words. As you point out, having a ‘kupu o te ra', or routine opportunities for deliberate engagement with words (e.g. for fun, collection/’magpie-ing’, displays) raises the profile and power of vocabulary.
I also agree that having a more structured approach to teaching morphology and spelling with some form of progression, incrementally builds learners’ semantic knowledge, and their agency when encountering challenging words.
In addition to Joy Allcock’s resources at Code-ed, you will find The Code by Liz Kane to include comprehensive scope and sequence progressions which make strong links between spoken/oral (phonological) and written (orthographical) modes.
Looking forward to us all coming together again for Day 7 in Term 3!
Nga mihi
Naomi R.
Literacy Facilitator - Manaialkalani Reading Practice Intensive