Posted on Thu, Jul 26, 2012
I love planning my room décor each year, and I know I can find my way to an elementary school this summer to make a large number of new stars for my ceiling. Each year, the promise of a lasting impression in the form of a ceiling star moves many of my students to go beyond when it comes to their vocabulary work. I think I will try to have a new color each year so I can more easily see what year’s classes were more motivated to “reach for the stars” and reflect on what worked and why.
Do you have any favorite ways to reward students for going above and beyond in finding & using their vocabulary?
Common Core Standards:
Reading Literature/Informational Text Standard 4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text
Language Standard 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge
Related Posts:
Word God/Goddess Vocabulary Display and Activity
Rap Your Words Vocabulary Activity
Word Girl Skits Activity
Posted on Thu, Jul 19, 2012
Ned Vizinni is a truly awesome guy who not only writes books that get turned into movies, but writes plots that get turned into TV (he writes for the new Teenwolf series!).
I love the interesting comments Ned makes about using words and especially some of the words he uses-I definitely had to look them up myself!
I want to know: Do you learn words when you read books –and post-it note your favorites? How do you encourage kids to learn new words when they come across them in their reading?
Common Core:
Reading Literature/Informational Text Standard 4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text
Reading Literature/Informational Text Standard 10. Read and comprehend complex literary texts
Language Standard 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts.
Language Standard 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge
Related Author Interviews:
John Green
Sara Zarr
Posted on Thu, Jul 12, 2012
The only problem I’ve encountered in celebrity throwndown is students who just don’t know or don’t want to pick a name. To combat that, you could have them pick two numbers between 1 and 100-then pull up this website that lists the 100 biggest celebrities.
If they don’t know their first celebrity, have them use their second number.
Another way I’ve gotten students to think a bit before they start playing their game is to answer a celebrity questionnaire beforehand; I often assign for homework and then require its completion in order for students to get to play the game-otherwise they have to continue filling out the sheet while everyone else plays. They usually learn to do their homework before the next round.
Extra question: How do you get your students engaged in learning through pop culture references or tie-ins?
Common Core:
Speaking & Listening Standard 1. Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations
Speaking & Listening Standard 2. Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats
Speaking & Listening Standard 3. Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
Speaking & Listening Standard 4. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow
Speaking & Listening Standard 6. Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks
Language Standard 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge
Related Posts:
Power Play with Vocabulary Game
Kinesthetic Vocabulary Fun Game
Apples to Apples Vocabulary Game
Posted on Thu, Jul 05, 2012
So I’ve interviewed at least 50 children’s and young adult authors over the past year, and at least ten of them have cited John Green as a favorite author who plays with words. The fact that I have John Green himself discussing word play-well that’s pretty darn AWESOME to me!
I am a huge fan of all that John and his brother Hank have managed to inspire; they have rallied people –especially teens-throughout the world to be positive forces for good, and I am proud to be a fellow nerdfighter. I still can’t believe how I managed to grab John and get this interview –I’m still in fan shock that I talked to him, and I hope your students will appreciate my efforts!
Are you a fan of John Green, his vlog with brother Hank, his Nerdfighter agenda or do you just want to inspire your students to do good in the world? Share!
Common Core Standards:
Reading Literature/Informational Text Standard 4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text
Language Standard 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge
Related Author Interviews:
A.S. King and Jackie Kessler
Heather Brewer
Ned Vizinni