Tuesday 20 June 2023

Manaiakalani Reading Practice Intensive Day 6: Vocabulary

 Today's focus for RPI was based around teaching vocabulary. This is an area that needs to be implemented much more thoroughly as part of my literacy programme. I think that I place too much of an emphasis on the comprehension and understanding of the text for students. It would be helpful to focus on incorporating more word work or vocabulary practice with my students. A graph that was shared today reminded me of the vocabulary deficit of many of our students when they enter school. 

The following is an example of a guided reading follow up task. Even though I feel that I do incorporate some word work into the guided reading follow up activities for students, I need to provide more opportunities for children to practise saying words out loud and recording themselves so that they can hear what they are saying and listen to whether it sounds right. I also need to provide more opportunities for students to practise vocabulary activities. 


We heard about using word walls/displays in class. I do have word walls, but I am not making good use of them. I aim to do a better job of utilising my word walls next term. 






I actually really enjoyed the word play activities and will add this to my literacy planning for next term. I enjoyed the activity of pairing up with another teacher to work through some vocabulary activities. We also had the opportunity to create a follow on task based on a text for next term. I think that it’s great that we get a head start on this and start thinking about how we will implement the new learning about vocabulary with our students. 


Next term my goal is to be more explicit and intentional about teaching morphology, phonemes, spelling and growing word consciousness. Here are some of my thoughts from today as to how I plan to do this. 



2 comments:

  1. Kia ora Sandy

    I have really enjoyed reading your insights from Day 6: Vocabulary (and decoding) including the targeted plans you have made for more deliberately growing word consciousness in your practice. I think that your idea of more actively engaging learners’ in contributing to word displays helps keep them relevant and referenceable. Learners’ also feel a real sense of ownership when they are contributing to a visible, valued classroom resource. When tied to a rewards programme this can also engage more reluctant literacy learners.

    I was wondering whether you were planning on following any explicit progressions as you implement a more intentional morphology and spelling approach? If so, I would be interested to know whether you have had a look at The Code by Liz Kane, which offers a systematic approach for teaching spelling across the school from Year 1 - Year 8: https://www.lizkaneliteracy.co.nz/product-page/the-code.

    It was great to hear that you had fun doing the rebus puzzles and working with someone outside the breakout on the Beck and McKeown robust, interactive approaches! Do share any you find work well in the vocabulary register.

    Looking forward to us all coming together again for Day 7 in Term 3 and to following how your learners engaged with the robust, interactive activity you created for implementation in the classroom.

    Nga mihi
    Naomi R.
    Literacy Facilitator - Manaiakalani Reading Practice Intensive

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  2. Fa'akaue lahi Sandy. I've enjoyed reading about your take out from this session on opportunities for fun with vocabulary focused work. I'm keen to learn how the term has started for you in this space and if the students are enjoying the implementation of ideas from RPI.

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