Strategies for Learning Vocabulary
Structural Analysis
Larger words can be very intimidating to students. Fortunately, larger words can frequently be broken down into smaller words that are less intimidating and frequently easier to understand or give a hint to the whole word's meaning. For example, the word geology can be broken down into two parts "geo" and "ology." The student may not know the definition of geology but they may have heard of meteorology, paleontology, and biology. They may also know that "ology" means it is the study of something. Then they can look at the first part of the word, "geo." Maybe they don't know geology, but they might have heard of geocaching, geography, geographic or a geographer to know that "geo" has a connection with the earth. A simple definition of geology is the study of the earth. By breaking the word into parts, the student can form a basic understanding of the word.
New Vocabulary Log
This strategy is one way to give students the opportunity to analyze words and their context for word meaning and can be used along side of any text. As the student reads, they record any new or unfamiliar vocabulary that they come across. Then they examine the word, look up the definition, and apply what they have learned by writing a new sentence. Students can create a new vocabulary log in a notebook or use the printable chart provided.
Notebook
The benefit of using a notebook is that all of the pages are bound together so that the student can easily find words that they have already defined. It is also very portable so that the student can carry their log wherever they carry their books.
Notebook
The benefit of using a notebook is that all of the pages are bound together so that the student can easily find words that they have already defined. It is also very portable so that the student can carry their log wherever they carry their books.
Notebook Step-By-Step Instructions
You will need: A notebook, a pencil, and a dictionary.
To use a notebook, the student draws a table with five sections: "New Word, How it was used, Clues to it's Meaning, Actual Meaning," and "Use in a New Context."
In the first section labeled "New Word," the student simply writes the new word.
In the second section, "How it was Used," the student writes the sentence in which they found the new word.
In the third section, "Clues to its Meaning," the students can use prefixes, suffixes, context clues, or words that sound similar to form their own hypothesis of the word's meaning.
In the fourth section, "Actual Meaning" the student looks up the definition of the word and records it.
Finally, in the last section, "Use in a new Context," the student creates an original sentence using the new word.
Printable Chart
The benefit of using a printable chart is the convenience. The student does not have to write out the sections every time. It can also be downloaded and edited so that the student has a digital document of all of their vocabulary words.
The benefit of using a printable chart is the convenience. The student does not have to write out the sections every time. It can also be downloaded and edited so that the student has a digital document of all of their vocabulary words.
Printable Chart Instructions
For a blank chart you will need a computer, Microsoft Word, printer, pencil and dictionary.
For a digital copy you will need a computer, Microsoft Word, and a physical or digital dictionary.
For a blank chart, click on the document at the bottom of this page. This should open into Microsoft Word. At the top of the page, there is a yellow bar entitled "Enable Editing." Click the button on the yellow bar. In the upper right hand corner click "file" and then click "print." Verify your printer settings and then click "ok." Once it is printed, follow the directions under the "Notebook Step-by-Step Instructions" without constructing a table.
For a digital chart, click on the document at the bottom of this page. This should open into Microsoft Word. At the top of the page, there is a yellow bar entitled "Enable Editing," click the button on this bar. In the upper right hand corner click "file" and then "save as." A window will appear with saving options. Give the chart a title and select your preferred saving options, then click "save." When this document is saved the student can type directly into the chart under each section of the table. Make sure that any changes made to the document are saved by clicking the the "file" button at the top left corner and then "save." The student is then free to follow the instructions under the "Notebook Step-by-Step Instructions" without constructing a table and typing directly into the document.
For a blank chart you will need a computer, Microsoft Word, printer, pencil and dictionary.
For a digital copy you will need a computer, Microsoft Word, and a physical or digital dictionary.
For a blank chart, click on the document at the bottom of this page. This should open into Microsoft Word. At the top of the page, there is a yellow bar entitled "Enable Editing." Click the button on the yellow bar. In the upper right hand corner click "file" and then click "print." Verify your printer settings and then click "ok." Once it is printed, follow the directions under the "Notebook Step-by-Step Instructions" without constructing a table.
For a digital chart, click on the document at the bottom of this page. This should open into Microsoft Word. At the top of the page, there is a yellow bar entitled "Enable Editing," click the button on this bar. In the upper right hand corner click "file" and then "save as." A window will appear with saving options. Give the chart a title and select your preferred saving options, then click "save." When this document is saved the student can type directly into the chart under each section of the table. Make sure that any changes made to the document are saved by clicking the the "file" button at the top left corner and then "save." The student is then free to follow the instructions under the "Notebook Step-by-Step Instructions" without constructing a table and typing directly into the document.
new_vocabulary_log.doc | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: | doc |