Words, Words, Words. Wondrous Words.

How do you teach and increase a young learner's vocabulary?  This can be a challenge when teaching children whose primary language is not English or whose vocabulary is limited. But, it can be done.

This school year, I am trying to incorporate meaningful ways to reinforce the vocabulary words from our reading program.

In order to achieve this, I created this bunting with our vocabulary for each week.  This serves as a visual reminder of the words which we have learned.


Typically, we learn a new word each day.  We use the provided vocabulary picture card to teach the word.  We say and repeat the word a few times.  Then, we look at the picture and try to figure out what the word may mean. I, then, explain the vocabulary word and ask for other examples from the students.

It is amazing how engaged the class is during the part of the day.  Many students volunteer to share stories trying to use the new word in context.  As they do, I am informally noting which children comprehend and can use the vocabulary word.

At times, the vocabulary words allows use to discuss words which have multiple meanings like the word change; seen in the first photograph.  My students did not have much background knowledge about the word change when it meant to become something different; like the changing of seasons.  Yet, most understood the word change when referenced to money or when changing clothes because you had an accident.

Every day, we are building our vocabulary.  My hope is that by the end of the year, each child's academic vocabulary will have grown.  How do you teach vocabulary? Do you have a list of words per grade to teach?  More importantly, how do you grade vocabulary development using the Common Core standards?






Happy Teaching!


CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

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Mentor Texts to Teach Punctuation

As the end of the year nears for us, I am trying to make sure that my students are as prepared as possible for first grade.

One area which we continue to need to work on is punctuation.  I love to use the Piggie and Elephant series by Mo Willems. At this point of the year, many can read the books and understand how witty Mo Willems is as the author of these characters.

First, I read I am Going!.  I like to use this book because several of the same words or phrases appear throughout the book but change meaning due to the punctuation.  This helps to show how important punctuation is to meaning.

Afterwards, I created simple anchor charts to meet our standard; recognize and name the punctuation.

Students wrote their own Piggie and Elephant stories; trying to use each type of punctuation.  Here is a sample. Can you tell which Piggie and Elephant book it is modeled after?

                Gerald want to go play? Yes?                             Gerald. There's a bird in your head!                  Gerald. Now there's a nest.

We will continue to work on this skill for the next few weeks.  My hope is that children see how punctuation plays an important role in reading and writing as well as text meaning.

In the past, I've used these books as well.  I like them because they are easy enough to be read by beginning readers.

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The Joy of Teaching

What keeps you passionate about teaching?  This thought has been on my mind a lot lately.  I love teaching. Yet, with 5 more weeks to go, I can think of nothing better than summer vacation.

And, then, this happens.  

Those little moments in the classroom when you know, this is why you go in early and plan for hours on the weekend.

Playing School

Three of my kiddos had pulled up their chairs and selected a "just right" Bob Book to read.  I was so proud of them because learning how to read has been a challenge for them.  Yet, they did not give up.  They rose to the challenge.

Go here for more inspiration.

What keeps you going?

From my classroom to yours,

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Wishy-Washy! Wishy-Washy!

I recently was contacted by Hameray Publishing to review their new Joy Cowley Collection.  I have used Joy Cowley's work in my classroom for over a decade so I was thrilled for the opportunity to preview some of her newer work.  

I decided to use these books (the two lower ones) with my Intervention group during our Interactive Writing session. Working for over a period of days, we used her work as a springboard for our writing.  

During the course of our sessions, I was able to show this group much needed mechanic and grammar skills. More importantly, they learned that writers are passionate about their work.  Each day, they looked forward to writing their story.  We planned, revised and reread our work along the way.  

I am excited to offer one of my Followers the chance to win a big book written by Joy Cowley to use in their classroom.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There's more!  Go here to enter to win over $400 worth of Joy Cowley resources or better yet, nominate your favorite teacher.

Looking for Wishy-Washy inspiration? Follow my Wishy-Washy Pinterest board.

Readers of this blog can save 20% off their purchase on the Hameray Publishing site by entering this code: ZJCC13; now through 6/30/13.

Happy Teaching!

Please note:  I was not compensated for this post.  I did receive two complimentary books in exchange for my opinion and review.  

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