Vocabulary
We are studying how to become "Academically Independent". Though in middle school it is not expected for students to become academically independent, it is a good time to start discussing and learning the techniques students build upon as they approach high school and college. It's more than good study habits, its about understanding the process of learning, how the student learns best, and why certain strategies are better for the student than others.
After exploring the time line of a unit of study, the students and I agreed that we needed a foundation for understanding. The foundation we found to be essential is vocabulary. If we do not have exposure to the words and a basic understanding of their meaning we will not understand the lesson. Whenever possible, having a vocabulary list ahead of the unit will give us a greater opportunity to learn concepts as they are being taught. We are no longer focused on the individual words, but on the ideas. Words we didn't know we will have read the definition for and be able to associate them with the concepts as we go through the lessons. Vocabulary is the foundation of learning in our continuum towards becoming an independent learner.
The students and I discussed that reading through the vocabulary a night or two before the lesson would be a great benefit, and that using vocabulary study techniques through out the unit would enhance our ability to understand the material being taught. There are many vocabulary study techniques available, it's just a matter of finding the right technique for that student. When I was a kid, everyone swore by flashcards. Some students cannot learn by repetitive flash cards. They need other modes of learning. This page will have the various modes of learning vocabulary that the students and I have explored.
After exploring the time line of a unit of study, the students and I agreed that we needed a foundation for understanding. The foundation we found to be essential is vocabulary. If we do not have exposure to the words and a basic understanding of their meaning we will not understand the lesson. Whenever possible, having a vocabulary list ahead of the unit will give us a greater opportunity to learn concepts as they are being taught. We are no longer focused on the individual words, but on the ideas. Words we didn't know we will have read the definition for and be able to associate them with the concepts as we go through the lessons. Vocabulary is the foundation of learning in our continuum towards becoming an independent learner.
The students and I discussed that reading through the vocabulary a night or two before the lesson would be a great benefit, and that using vocabulary study techniques through out the unit would enhance our ability to understand the material being taught. There are many vocabulary study techniques available, it's just a matter of finding the right technique for that student. When I was a kid, everyone swore by flashcards. Some students cannot learn by repetitive flash cards. They need other modes of learning. This page will have the various modes of learning vocabulary that the students and I have explored.
Four Square with Bordering
This method combines the written and the visual elements of vocabulary for our more visual learners.
four_square_with_blocking_lines.pdf | |
File Size: | 47 kb |
File Type: |
four_square_with_lines.pdf | |
File Size: | 47 kb |
File Type: |