3. There are several different aspects of
vocabulary that need to be considered when
teaching students how to use reading in
order to learn effectively.
Graphic organizers
Morphology
Context
Word Relationships
Extending an interest in vocabulary
4. •Graphic organizers are visual representations
that demonstrate how words are related to
each other. Word walls, pictomaps, logomaps,
semantic feature analysis, word maps and
semantic maps are all examples of graphic
organizes. Lines are used to connect shapes in
order to help the student visualize how the
words or ideas are connected. Making
connections between ideas, even in the
earliest of stages by using pictomaps,
students can begin making important
connections between vocabulary words.
5. This is an example of a semantic map. The
main idea or word is located in the middle,
and students can help come up with other
words that relate to or describe that central
word.
Pictomaps are great for students that
are just learning to read. This way
they can visualize how these labeled
pictures are related to the main idea
located in the middle.
6. Morphology involves
learning important tools
such as identifying root
words, suffixes, prefixes,
compound words, and
contractions. It is necessary
for students to make the
connection that a single root
word can have different
meanings when letters are
added onto or taken away
from the root and that two
words put together also
make new meaning.
7. ROOT WORDS, SUFFIXES, PREFIXES
This fun website can help students learn more about root words,
suffixes, and prefixes:
http://www.ezschool.com/Games/English/prefixsuffix/index.html
CONTRACTIONS
•A fun game that could help with contractions can be located at the
following website: http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/
match/matchgeneric.asp?filename=jwildecontractions
•A few writing activities with answer keys can be found at this website:
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/phonics/contractions1_WBMQ
M.pdf
8. COMPOUND WORDS
Something as simple as the video located below can aid in helping
children understand compound words.
9. One cannot stress the importance of context. When a word is taken out
of context it can result in complete misunderstandings and become
totally useless to the reader. Students must first be taught how to use
context clues in order to be successful at reading to learn. There are
several types of context clues that are used including synonyms,
antonyms, definitions, and even examples within the text. It is
important to use different reinforcement activities in order to teach the
students how to use context clues. Begin by writing a sentence with a
word missing and providing a word bank with a few options. Then let
the student choose the word they believe fits best. Follow up by asking
them why they made that choice. Another good activity is to provide
sentences that contain homographs which are words that are spelled
the same but have different meanings. Have students determine which
way the word should be pronounced and why they chose that option.
This will help students understanding that even though the word may
look the same, it would sound silly to read it with the other
pronunciation.
10. I felt that the video located below did an excellent job of describing
context and could also help students develop a better understanding of
why it is important.