Choice Lit Topic: Word Study and Vocabulary
Here is where you will find resources for teaching students about spelling, word features, vocabulary, and grammar.
Results
Sentence Phrase Word: Student Independence for Word Learning
Gazing around our classroom community area, I could see that my fourth graders were ready to begin our third day with our latest read-aloud novel. I spotted Zoe waving her...
First Grade Guided Writing Group: Goldilocks and the Three Writers
Katie DiCesare leads a guided writing group in her first-grade classroom. Click here to download the workshop guide. COMMON CORE CONNECTIONS: L.1.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and...
Noticing Interesting Words: Small-Group Vocabulary Lesson
In this brief video, Gail Boushey (of "The Sisters") leads a small-group lesson on vocabulary. In the debrief following the lesson, Gail talks with Joan Moser about vocabulary instruction, and...
Student-Generated Vocabulary Discussions
While discussing read-alouds with a middle school colleague recently, the topic of vocabulary came up. The question “How do you choose the vocabulary to introduce in your read-alouds?” came up....
Toward More Meaningful Extension Activities
The Chanukah party was in full swing. Candles were burning. Dreidels were spinning. People were munching on latkes. Kids were ripping wrapping paper off of gifts. I stepped away from...
Getting to Know Writers: Using Quotes
One of the ways to jump-start the conversation about writing process is to read and reflect upon what other writers have to say about their own process. Information about authors...
Alternatives to Daily Editing as a “Bell-Ringer” Activity
“I just don’t understand it,” muttered David, a fourth-grade teacher, as he sat frowning down at some student writing. “The daily editing exercises have emphasized commas in a series almost...
Character Traits Through Word Sorts
Identifying character traits is an important skill for readers, and the need for precise word choice rises in third and fourth grade. Students are expected to pay close attention to...
Building Word Learning Routines
When working with readers who need extra support, it's not uncommon to need to do some work with letters, sounds, and words. Some students, for a variety of reasons, seem...
Vocabulary Instruction: Where to Start?
I have a confession to make: I’ve always struggled with incorporating vocabulary study into my high school English class. I’ve tried lots of different things over the years, but never...
Holding a Dictionary
As a little girl, I loved reading the dictionary. Actually reading it. My parents had a gigantic Random House dictionary that was likely bigger than me in height, weight, and...
Tutoring Carl: Sketching to Draft
I am sitting at a circular library table; this is my learning space. Retired from full-time teaching, I now tutor. Midafternoon is my new kid time. I look forward to...
Read Aloud: Vocabulary and Retelling Strategies
Stella Villalba scaffolds the language development of her first- and second-grade English language learners during read-aloud by highlighting vocabulary and providing a tool to assist with a partner retelling activity.
Raising the Quality of Word Work
Zane carefully wrote the word found on his paper with the blue marker. Then he traced over the word with the red marker, followed by the green marker, and finally...
The Power of Written Blind Word Sorts
Automatic pattern knowledge is critical to spelling and understanding how words work. Sorting words is an opportunity to examine words, search for common patterns, and categorize discoveries. Word sorting can...
Going Public with Word Work
On our first day back after spring break, I asked my students to think about word work as a math problem. How are the two similar? Puzzled looks were all...
English Language Learners First-Grade Guided Group
Stella Villalba leads a guided reading group for first-grade English language learners, beginning by building vocabulary.
Character Traits and Vocabulary Development
In my fourth-grade classroom, we spend a great deal of time analyzing characters. Recently, it has become apparent to me that students lack the vocabulary necessary to discuss a character’s...
My Middle Schoolers Still Can’t Spell!: Focusing on Individual Students
It had become my stubborn mission to get a handle on spelling while we had had a small taste of success. After a month of thoughtfully planned small-group intervention, students...
Rethinking Grammar Instruction in High School
It’s easy for an English teacher to get overwhelmed by the grammatical errors that turn up in student writing. Something about the nature of English teachers makes us want to...
Addressing Conventions: Conferring with Jack
Katie DiCesare works with a first grader on the strategy of rereading one’s writing to address conventions and revise the title and ending.
