Vocabulary

I recently posted a blog about how my students get credit for the vocabulary that they use.  This post goes right along with that one.

This is my vocabulary wall, where I write all the academic vocabulary words that we have learned.  I write each subject in a different color.   A wonderful co-worker of mine created this for our whole team.  I love teamwork!

I was collaborating with one of our RTI teachers and she loves my vocabulary program.  The problem is, she doesn't always know the vocabulary that I'm teaching and I don't know the vocabulary that she is teaching.  I created a "walkable" vocabulary chart.  This chart is for all students that leave the classroom and go to see another teacher.  Students could even take them to specials if you like.  This is a great way for all teachers to know what vocabulary the student should know.  For my specific vocabulary program, it's great for them to get credit for using vocabulary by other teachers.  I can also give credit to them for using vocabulary that they learned from their other teacher.  (Please look 2 posts down to see what I'm talking about.)

Walkable Vocabulary  This is another freebie that I offer in my TPT store.  If you enjoy it, please leave me feedback.

Have a great weekend!
~~Andrea

I got published!

A few years ago, I sent off a vocabulary idea to The Mailbox Magazine.  I was thrilled when I got the letter stating that they were accepting my idea!  It took almost two years, but it was published this Winter in the Intermediate version.

Here is a picture of the writeup.

That's me, Andrea Halterman

I have done this with my students for years.  As an ESL teacher, the 4 language domains are Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.  In addition, students need many exposures to words to have complete understanding of the word.  This year, students are charting all the vocabulary words that they have learned (academic areas and reading vocabulary) this year.   In the past I have done individual incentive charts.  That turned out to be very time consuming and hard to manage, especially when they filled up a chart.  This year, I have a class sticker chart that I have hanging on my door.  Next year, it will be a much prettier chart.  Students get stickers for:  finding vocabulary words in anything that they read, hearing another person saying the word (and yes, I count), using the word in their writing, and speaking with the word in a complete sentence.  This is most useful in the academic area.  I'm finding the most success with this in math.  

Our class vocabulary sticker chart.  Each student has their own square.

Have a great evening!  It's finally starting to look like Spring!