VOCABULARY STRATEGY #4

This week we focused on using our pictures to gain clues as to what unknown words may mean.  We had already learned about context clues in the text-these are context clues in the pictures!  We used a Common Core Exemplar text called Earthworms.  Kids broke up into groups and each group had a page(s) from the book with vocabulary words on it that they do not know.  They had to create a web of clues they got from the picture to help them figure out what the unknown words meant.  I feel Mrs. Koch's lessons are AMAZING and she is helping us build vocabulary strategies for your children that will benefit them for years to come!

Black History Month Research Project!

I am AMAZED at what my students can do!  Our wonderful student teacher, Miss Wolfe, created a unit to celebrate Black History Month.  They studied, MLK Jr., Ruby Bridges, and Rosa Parks.  Students then got to choose one of them to research.  They filled in planners and then created Biography Flowers on that person!  They learned to research on the IPADS and worked with other students who were researching the same person to find the most interesting facts!!!  Best of all...they had FUN!

Jargon Journals! I LOVE them!

     For the last couple weeks we have been using Jargon Journals, also known as vocabulary journals, in our classroom!  The kids have ROCKED them and they are learning SO much about...you guessed it...VOCABULARY!
     I found the Jargon Journal idea here
 http://www.secondstorywindow.net/home/2013/11/acquiring-vocabulary-with-a-weekly-words-progam.html 
This lady is amazing and I love her ideas!  We read a book from her units and focus on the four important words from the book.  Then, this is when your children AMAZE me, we create a vocabulary flap with those words from the book.  The kids come up with a visual representation of the word, a kid friendly definition of the word and they also make a connection to the word.  Making a connection to an important word is HUGE!  It helps students recall and be able to use the words in their everyday life!  These Jargon Journals are amazing!

Are you seeing a pattern...VOCABULARY!  Leave me a comment and tell me what your child knows about the vocabulary we have learned!

Have a great weekend!

VOCABULARY STRATEGY #3

     Mrs. Koch was back in our room this week with another great vocabulary strategy.  This week we worked on root words, prefixes and suffixes.  The kids had to read passages and try to figure out the unknown bold print words.  Not only were they using their knowledge of word parts, but I heard some of them using and discussing context clues!  YES!!! 
     These strategies will be so helpful to the kids as they read harder materials and find words they do not know!  We have been focusing SO hard on vocabulary...ask them about our new journals!  That will be my next post :) 
     I couldn't get my pictures to load, I'll try again on the next post!  Have a great weekend!