A Powerful New Approach WORD STUDY A Powerful New Approach Phonics Prefixes Suffixes Vocabulary Howard County is very excited to announce a system-wide initiative in which all students in grades 1-5 will focus on Greek and Latin roots as they are outlined in our new Maryland College and Careeer Ready Standards. A program called Buildiing Vocabulary has been purchased for every classroom teacher. The purpose of this part of our program is to acquaint you with the rationale and implementation of this new approach to word study. Greek & Latin Roots Spelling

Did you know?? The English language has approximately 2,000,000 words Technology contributes 20,000 new words per year School texts and reading materials include more than 180,000 different words Over 60% of the words students encounter in their reading have recognizable word parts Root study gives students the ability to learn many new words independently. Students learn to make connections between words that are phonetically related Students should be immersed in words with frequent opportunities to use new words in many settings It is well proven that a strong vocabulary is one of the greatest predictors of success in reading.

Word Study THEN Assigned word lists Little or no connection to curricular areas or each other The weekly assignment: “Find and write a definition for each word,” or “Use each word in a sentence” A test came at the end of the week (rote memorization) Think back to your spelling/word study instruction There is powerful evidence that rote memorization simply does not work (Allington, 2012; Stahl & Fairbanks, 1986). This age-old method of vocabulary instruction does not invite active engagement. It is drudgery that often can dampen students’ interest in and fascination with words. Did you have to “learn” words you had rarely encountered? Did you get a list of unrelated words on Monday, were tested on them on Friday and forgot them by the following Wednesday?

Why Use This New Approach? Systematic approach to word awareness and vocabulary building 90% of English words of two or more syllables are of Greek or Latin origin Most academic vocabulary is derived from Latin and Greek origins Principals of word learning 1. Explicit teaching of selected words 2. Instruction should be integrative 3. Include repetition for retention 4. Word learning is a procedural activity 5. Foster word consciousness

Word Study NOW Word lists are organized through meaningful roots or patterns Expand and deepen word knowledge during content-area study The weekly assignment: “Meet the Root, Combine and Create, Read and Reason, Extend and Explore” Applied spelling and language conventions tests NOW Help students see the meaningful patterns that exist in many words and organize words for study by their roots or patterns. This roots approach to word study is efficient and effective. . As they explore the topic of the unit, students have multiple opportunities to see new words in meaningful contexts and to use them in meaningful ways.

WORD STUDY IN SCHOOL Meet the Root: students define and conquer a list of words as they identify the word parts and roots Combine and Create: students combine words built from the root and pattern Read and Reason: students read text in which they encounter the word part/root Extend and Explore: students create new applications for the vocabulary This is a structure that you can expect to see in the classrooms

WORD STUDY AT HOME Word Sorts: students sort for the pattern Word Hunts: students search for the pattern in a variety of text Word Associations: write additional words that connect to the target word or pattern Vocabulary: students find new and interesting words to put in their notebooks This is how you can help reinforce learning at home Take every opportunity to notice words in the natural environment, pointing out patterns and roots in signs, newspapers, books, grocery stores, etc.

Word Root Riddle trac/tract tractor attract traction extract contract subtract Let’s try a sample: Explain the meaning of the root trac/tract- which means to pull, draw, drag Teachers ask audience and have then call out the word Connect the meaning of the root to the meaning of each word which has to do with pull, draw, or drag What pulls a wagon? - tractor What does the dentist do to your tooth? - extract What do you sign when you buy a house? - contract What do you do to find the smaller number? - subtract What causes you to like someone? –atttraction What helps elevate a broken limb? - traction Why Teach Roots? Students discover how to look for meaningful connections between words they already know and words that they may not know Deepens students’ understanding of a word’s multiple meaning and introduces them to new usages trac/tract pull, draw, drag

Texts Containing the Target Root Transport, export, import too. Port means to carry things, Like from me to you. A porter carries your luggage, A reporter carries the news, Something portable can be moved around. Did you know how a portage might be used? The Building Vocabulary program contains many opportunities for students to practice the target root in text and rhym. This is an example of a poem they would read. Definition of portage (n) Bing Dictionary port·age [ páwrtij ] act of carrying: the carrying or transporting of something charge for carrying: a charge made for carrying or transporting something carrying of boats overland: the carrying of boats or cargo across land from one waterway to another or around an unnavigable section of a waterway

A New Look for Assessments Dictation Word Meaning A New Look for Assessments Applied knowledge Authentic Assessments Students will demonstrate their understanding of targeted phonics, roots, and word meaning through dictation assessments given bi-weekly. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation will also be measured. This is an example of a sample assessment page

WORD STUDY SHOULD BE FUN! WORD STUDY CAN BE POWERFUL!! WORD STUDY IS TRANSFORMATIVE!!! We are confident that this program will foster a love of word learning among our students, enrich their vocabularies, and enhance their everyday reading and writing.