Saturday, May 3, 2014

Saturday Sayings: So Smart to Ask



Vocabulary instruction is one of my weak areas.  I don't pick out a certain number of words to teach every week.  Instead it happens on the fly, most often during a read-aloud.  I'm not nearly intentional enough, and I haven't developed a system for ways to follow up and authentically internalize those words either.  I've got some work to do.  (I do have my eye on a great professional read called Words Nerds though.  Maybe that will help.)  I'm also aware of the times when I'm guilty of barging through a book and not allowing the time and space to even let kids know they should speak up about possible confusions.  I'm working on this and Regie's voice in my head definitely helps.

She reminds me to say things like, "Smart kids know when they don't understand a word."  Recently I've been purposely choosing read-alouds that force them to speak up about unknown vocabulary.  First I ask my kids to show their comprehension fingers, a strategy I learned years ago from Mosaic of Thought by Ellin Keene and Susan Zimmermann.  One finger means they understand, and two means they don't.  As soon as I see two fingers, I know to stop.  "What does 'famine' mean?"  My typical response sounds something like, "Thank you for asking.  That's so smart of you to speak up."  Of course, learning and using strategies for figuring out tricky words is another story and one we've been practicing as well.  First and foremost though, when I repeatedly tell my kids that the most important thing a reader does is understand, I'd better back that up every time a book is opened in my room with the knowledge, expectation, and invitation that readers know when they don't know a word and are so smart to do something about it.


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18 comments:

  1. Very true! When I read myself I still write down words that I don't know the meaning of so I can look them up (although now it's more like a list in the notes on my phone). I actually show that to my kids and they were just shocked because they think I know everything! :) You can always learn new words!

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    1. Miss Trayers, I'm not very studious about looking up words. I usually just use my context clues as best I can and move on. Oops.

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  2. As usual, I love this! My greatest surprise is when I'm counseling with students and they ask me what a word I just used means! I'm always so thankful because I wonder what would happen if they just sat there and nodded, pretending they were right there with me when they'd missed important words and therefore meaning. Rock on, Tammy!

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    1. Barbara, unfortunately I think many of them do just nod and pretend. Some don't know that they're supposed to speak up. I'm working on making sure they know. :)

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  3. Hi Tammy! I've got my eye on Word Nerds, too! :-)
    Crystal

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    1. Crystal, it's one of many that I need to read.

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  4. Working on making vocabulary more intentional in my room is something I need to be stronger with too. Word Nerds sounds like a book I need to be checking into
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, if you get to it before I do, let me know what you think!

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  5. I find that it's often my "lower" kids who will ask what words mean. They serve as a great model for my "higher" kids, who are sometimes reticent to admit that they don't know something. I always praise the kids for asking for clarification. Like Regie says, that's what smart people do.

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    1. Lee, good for your "lower" kids. They can definitely be a great example for the others.

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  6. I have been wanting to read Word Nerds too! I like your idea of the students having a signal to let you know they don't know the meaning of a word. I have several that will say they know the meaning and give me an answer that is out in left field. I need to work on this too!
    Kelly
    I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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    1. Kelly, I've heard the left field answers too. We've got some work to do. :)

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  7. This is my weak spot too and it's so funny because I adore words. I am a total Word Nerd (MUST GET THAT BOOK!), but I don't have any formal vocabulary system in my room. I have always thought it should be organic but now I'm wondering about that. My daughter's first grade teacher puts words on the wall and the kids put tally marks on the word when they read it, hear it, or write it. She loves it. I can't tell you how much she stops and says, "Hey, 'obligation' (or whatever) that's one of my words!"

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    1. Kimberley, I've tried a few systems and haven't found one that feels natural and one I can maintain yet. I must figure this out!

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  8. Does your district use the Treasures textbooks/curriculum? I don't use much of it but the vocabulary is fantastic. They have visuals for each word plus an oral vocabulary story to read that has the words in the story. My kiddos LOVE it and I do too ;)

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    1. Leigh Anne, no we don't use Treasures. Sounds like you've found a great resource.

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  9. Mosaic of Thought is one of my all time favourite books. I must read it again!

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    1. Barb, it's been a while since I've read it. Great stuff.

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