In the Title I school where I am employed, there is a significant number of students who are affected by their environment. Specifically in the area of vocabulary. Research shows that many students in the inner city enroll in school with a vocabulary that is dramatically lower than their suburban counterparts. It is important to embrace the culture of those students who find themselves struggling with decoding and prior knowledge of academic vocabulary.
Here are a few do's and don'ts of teaching vocabulary.
Don't tell a student that the way they speak is wrong. That invalidates all that they believe is right.
Do embrace a student's vernacular as an opportunity to teach academically acceptable vocabulary.
e.g. - Your class is on FLEEK.->Your class is on point.->Your class is always on task with high levels of engagement.
Don't tell a student to STOP talking like that. That devalues everything the child has learned.
Do tell a student to START talking like you. Model conversational and formal vocabulary.
e.g. - Ay, mane stop!-> (lower voice) Ms. Hooper, can you make him stop?-> X, I would appreciate if you stopped.
Don't teach vocabulary words in isolation.
Do teach vocabulary words in context.
e.g. - Look at photo of the WHITES ONLY/COLORED drinking fountains. What does segregation mean?
Don't teach 8-10 new vocabulary words a week. Remember: Their suburban counterparts have 5000+ more vocabulary words stored up.
Do use teachable moments to introduce related, unrelated, and multiple meanings of the words being studied.
e.g. - Keep a vocab jar (swear jar-same thing) and make a big deal when students use old words in a new way.
Don't expect students to sit and get new vocabulary words.
Do make the acquisition of vocabulary words interactive.
e.g. -Word walls are only as good as you think they are. They are so much more than a reference. They should be used often. Students should engage with the words collectively. When you assess, throw some old words on that new test.
Keep students on their toes because they will definitely keep you on yours! When students come into your class talking that talk, let them know you embrace everything about them and you can speak their language too.
Here are a few do's and don'ts of teaching vocabulary.
Don't tell a student that the way they speak is wrong. That invalidates all that they believe is right.
Do embrace a student's vernacular as an opportunity to teach academically acceptable vocabulary.
e.g. - Your class is on FLEEK.->Your class is on point.->Your class is always on task with high levels of engagement.
Don't tell a student to STOP talking like that. That devalues everything the child has learned.
Do tell a student to START talking like you. Model conversational and formal vocabulary.
e.g. - Ay, mane stop!-> (lower voice) Ms. Hooper, can you make him stop?-> X, I would appreciate if you stopped.
Don't teach vocabulary words in isolation.
Do teach vocabulary words in context.
e.g. - Look at photo of the WHITES ONLY/COLORED drinking fountains. What does segregation mean?
Don't teach 8-10 new vocabulary words a week. Remember: Their suburban counterparts have 5000+ more vocabulary words stored up.
Do use teachable moments to introduce related, unrelated, and multiple meanings of the words being studied.
e.g. - Keep a vocab jar (swear jar-same thing) and make a big deal when students use old words in a new way.
Don't expect students to sit and get new vocabulary words.
Do make the acquisition of vocabulary words interactive.
e.g. -Word walls are only as good as you think they are. They are so much more than a reference. They should be used often. Students should engage with the words collectively. When you assess, throw some old words on that new test.
Keep students on their toes because they will definitely keep you on yours! When students come into your class talking that talk, let them know you embrace everything about them and you can speak their language too.