Metacognition in Literacy
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Vocabulary
What is Vocabulary? How is it used in Literacy?
Vocabulary is knowing the meanings of words, but also being able to put them into context. This could mean either in a real world setting, or specifically to literacy, inside a text. Vocabulary is important to literacy because it comprehension of the text, but also how students communicate what they know. Good readers have a strong vocabulary because it helps them to better understand what they are learning and reading.
"Vocabulary knowledge is knowledge; the knowledge of a word not only implies a definition, but also implies how that word fits into the world." - Steven Stahl
Types of Vocabulary
There are three main types of vocabulary students should know:
1. Oral vocabulary: words that the student recognizes that are used in speech or out loud
2. Aural vocabulary: words that a student understands when they are said aloud
3. Print vocabulary: words used and recognized in print or reading.
For a student to become a good reader, it is important for them to be able to use and grow in all three of these categories.
1. Oral vocabulary: words that the student recognizes that are used in speech or out loud
2. Aural vocabulary: words that a student understands when they are said aloud
3. Print vocabulary: words used and recognized in print or reading.
For a student to become a good reader, it is important for them to be able to use and grow in all three of these categories.
How to Teach Difficult Vocabulary
There is no one correct or best way to teach vocabulary. It is up to the teacher to decide which way they see fit. Below are listed some different strategies used that have been effective not only in the learning of new vocabulary, but also it's comprehension later in reading.
- Pre-teach new vocabulary: new and difficult vocabulary can be talked about and understood before it is seen in a text. This is most often done in social studies or science lessons. This gives the students a better grasp on the word before reading it in text.
- Use a variety of instruction to teach new vocabulary: students in your class might need explicit, systematic instruction, or you might be better off using inquiry and context to understand new words. Using a variety allows you target every possible learner.
- Use students prior knowledge: allowing students to reach back into what they already know gives them a better understanding of the word, and it is also more likely that they will remember the word later on.
- Allow for multiple exposures to new words: seeing a word in different contexts (even if this means different subjects) gives students a better overall meaning of the word while also showing it's real world context.
Activities for Teaching Vocabulary
Connect Two:
Personal Dictionaries:
Vocabulary Bingo:
Buzz!
- Game where two lists of words are put on a board or projector.
- Students are asked to make connections between a word on the first list and a word on the second list
- They must explain the reason for the connection they made
Personal Dictionaries:
- Have students develop a personal dictionary once they find new words
- They can include the new word and its definition for them to refer to
- Dictionaries and also include antonyms, synonyms, pictures, and language translations for EL students
Vocabulary Bingo:
- hand out pre-made Bingo cards
- let students fill in their new vocabulary words in any pattern on their card
- instead of saying the word, define it, act it out, draw it, or give a synonym/antonym
- The winner must not just say the winning words, but use them all in sentences!
Buzz!
- Each word is written on an index card, along with two cards that read "buzz"
- Words are randomly shuffled and then shown to the students one at a time
- Students sit in a circle, and take turns defining the word that is specifically sown to them
- If they don't know the definition they are out, and another classmate defines the word
- If they get the "buzz" card, they are also out
- The last person remaining defines one extra word and wins the game!