The Vocabulary Library An Introduction

Introduction Vocabulary is always a struggle for students, especially in a class where terms are just as “foreign” as what they might find in a foreign language class. To teach you properly we will be following a six step process.

Six step process 1. Teacher will provide an description, explanation, or example of the term. – This may be through lab, lecture, discussion of text book, or definitions in text book. 2. Students will restate the description, explanation, or example in their own words. 3. Students will construct a picture, symbol, or graphic representing the term

Six step process 4. Students will be involved in activities to help them add to their knowledge of the term 5. Students will discuss the terms with one another 6. Students will be involved in games that allow them to play with terms.

Timing At the start of every class you will be responsible for copying down the vocabulary words onto a specific type of format I will provide you with one example of the formatted paper, you must then follow this format on your own binder paper

Format END SHOW

Term First you have a place to write the term, neatly and spelled correctly – Hint: When you copy the words down, use scratch paper. Then recopy them onto the formatted paper

Describe Describe what the term means. – HINT: Don’t just copy a definition from the glossary. Instead, read the definition and then try to describe the term as you would to a friend. Use description in your vocabulary library.

Draw This next space is where you draw what you understand about the term. – Drawing pictures is a good way to show what you know, even if you aren’t very good at drawing. – In fact, simple pictures sometimes work better than words at conveying meaning. Example: pictionary

Blank space The blank space is here so you can add anything else that will help you understand the term. – Examples Draw another picture Use the word in a sentence Write an antonym or synonym List other words that come to mind when you think about this term.

Side space This space does two things. – Write the subject of the words you are putting on the “card” – Then in the space near the bottom of the page, write the topic of the subject Example – Subject: Life Science – Space at bottom: The cell

My Understanding These numbers are here to help when you ask yourself how well you understand the term. – Do this at the start of the unit in Blue ink or pencil. – At the end of the unit circle the number that best reflects how you understand the word in red.

My understanding guide 1I understand even more about the term than I was taught 2I understand the term and I’m not confused about any part of what it means 3I’m a little unsure or confused about what the term means, but I have a general idea 4I’m very unsure or confused about the term. I really don’t understand what it means yet.

Grading You will be graded on your ability to keep up with this assignment – Are the terms in the appropriate format? – Are you using the describe, draw, and my understanding?