Let’s get WIG-gy with it!

To improve our vocabulary… To understand more concepts… To learn more about the WORLD!

Use Marzano’s 6-Step Instructional Strategies and enhance your OWN LEARNING STRATEGIES. The Wise Word Gurus all agree, when we 1. UNDERSTAND the WORD, 2. VISUALIZE it, 3. PROCESS and CONNECT it, 4. And MOVE it into LONG-term MEMORY… WHS will be SMARTER and STRONGER! Plus, it’s part of our UIP… (Unified Improvement Plan) Yeah, Dude…

Instructional Strategies and Learning Strategies are the KEY! And your WIG Word Vocabulary Journal will help PROVE it! In Marzanos’* 6 Steps… Steps 1,2,3 – introduce and develop initial understanding * Robert J. Marzano, Ph.D, Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement, (2004). Steps 4,5,6 – shape and sharpen understanding

But 1st, let’s prepare our WIG Word Journal… Your teacher may ask you to follow… your own teacher’s format your own favorite format use one of our 3 samples! 1. Date 2. WIG word 3. Explanation 4. Illustration 5. Sentence and maybe a MNEMONIC, or MEMORY strategy …but the components should be the same…

Mnemonics are key! Ask yourself: Self? What comes to mind? HOW can I remember? Hooking a mnemonic brings it back into memory...

Use your mnemonic imagination… Mnemonic sounds like≈ MNEMORY… So I can remember and CONNECT it to the meaning! Mnemonics in “other” languages (cognates)… Let’s talk mnemonics Background Knowledge Always connect mnemonic to the meaning

So, let’s choose a WIG Journal format… Do you like sample #1?

WIG Word Journal WIG Word: Explanation: Illustration:Sentence: Date: ___________Circle: How well you know this term? 1/2/3/4 (nothing- very well) Mnemonic: (Memory Strategy) Do you prefer sample #2?

WIG Word Journal Date: ___ WIG Word: ____________ Circle: How well you know this term? 1/2/3/4 Explanation:_____________________________________ Sentence: _______________________________________ Connections: ____________________________________ Synonyms: Antonyms: Illustration: How about sample #3?

Step 1 Now, use the WIG Journal to practice Marzano’s 1 st Step… Students complete the journal heading. Your teacher will explain the word and offer examples, provide contextualization, and share personal connections. Introduction As you listen, make personal connections! I listen and think… TEACHERS explain the word to enhance understanding

Step 1 Note* * Gurus say, “Don’t use definitions… it’s more effective to use explanations, examples, & personal connections !”

Step 2 Students DISCUSS and WRITE in their own words the descriptions, explanations and examples of the WIG word. STUDENTS discuss, clarify, and REWORD understanding Sounds like… It reminds me of… Yeah dude! It’s like… Write your ideas! Discussion

Step 3 Students DRAW a symbol, picture, or other non-linguistic representation in their WIG Journal. Teachers and classmates can share examples of quick sketches that represent their understanding. STUDENTS DRAW it & understand it! Mine’s cute… I imagine… Illustration Dude, it’s like this…

Step 4 Students engage in ACTIVITIES now or later to review, enhance understanding, and make words more memorable…. ACTIVITIES can include: graphic organizers, mnemonics, & illustrations personal connections synonyms & antonyms usage, grammar, & word variations word-part analysis (prefixes, roots, suffixes) comparisons, classifications, and analogies STUDENTS engage in ACTIVITIES to enhance understanding Activities

Step 4 Note* Explaining is ≈ like chewing, Processing is ≈ like digesting, Remembering is ≈ like absorbing. * Gurus say, “ANALOGIES are comparisons using LIKE or AS” Yum! Oh, or learning is like eating…

Step 5 Students DISCUSS the words and concepts to review and deepen understanding using… One-minute BUZZ discussing the word and reviewing journal notes, making personal connections, and sharing what you remember, etc. a “Think-Pair-Share” about the words and concepts adding deeper discussions Deeper Discussion I remember… STUDENTS DISCUSS for clarification & deeper understandings Dude! Listen to meeee!

Students PLAY GAMES periodically with the words to review and enhance memory & understanding using… 20 QUESTIONS Pictionary Password Concentration Step 6 STUDENTS PLAY GAMES for clarification & deeper understanding Visual THESAURUSVisual THESAURUS

Step 6 Note*: * Gurus say, “Play classroom GAMES and use ON-LINE study tools and resources too! and Adams 50 has special “user rights” for us! Visual THESAURUS is awesome for WORD and CONCEPT CONNECTIONS…

Let’s Revisit, Reprocess, and Remember... LISTEN to explanations RE-EXPLAIN in your own words VISUALIZE and analyze CONNECT to you & your background knowledge HOOK mnemonics ENGAGE in ACTIVITIES and GAMES to REVIEW Learning Strategies WORK! Marzano’s 6 Steps + WIG Journal + Your BRAIN= SUCCESS!

So come on! STUDENTS and TEACHERS Get WIG-gy with it Cool! Nice!

and Use ALL 6 Steps! Think! Listen! Talk!! Practice! Review! Hook it! Practice activities! Play games!

Resources and links… Check out our next video… Mnemonic Strategies