Standard 4: Vocabulary

Students will expand their working vocabularies to effectively communicate and understand texts.

WRITING: Students will apply knowledge of vocabularies to communicate by using descriptive, academic, and domain-appropriate abstract and concrete words in their writing.

Understanding 

Objectives 

Approaching 

3.4.W.1

 Students consistently use domain-appropriate vocabulary to communicate ideas in writing.

3.4.W.1

Students will use domain-appropriate vocabulary to communicate ideas in writing.

Developing 

3.4.W.1

Students frequently use domain-appropriate vocabulary to communicate ideas in writing, but may need guidance.

3.4.W.1

Students use domain-appropriate vocabulary to communicate ideas in writing with guidance and support.

3.4.W.2

Students use appropriate language to purpose in writing with guidance and support.

3.4.W.2

Students attempt to select appropriate language to purpose in writing, but may need guidance.

3.4.W.2

Students consistently select appropriate language according to purpose in writing.

3.4.W.2

 Students will select appropriate language according to purpose in writing.

 Instructional Guidance 

• Model using the word wall to incorporate interesting words in writing.

• Provide students with concept word walls specific to topic of study, encouraging students to refer to the word list while writing.

• Before reading a text, discuss new vocabulary found in the text and clarify misconceptions. After reading, have students write sentences using the new words.

• Confer with students to guide them in selecting vocabulary in their writing.

• Model using the word wall to incorporate interesting words in writing.

• Engage students in vocabulary building activities (analogies, Pictionary, charades) where students are pushed to use exact words to describe items or events.

• Have students create vocabulary notebooks where they define, apply meaning in context, find synonyms/antonyms, create visual representations, and show relationships between and among words.

• Confer with students to guide them in enhancing the vocabulary in their writing.

• Develop a word wall that students can use to expand their vocabulary in their writing. Add interesting words found during read alouds.

• Engage students in vocabulary building activities (analogies, Pictionary, charades) where students are pushed to use exact words to describe items or events.

• Have students create vocabulary notebooks where they define, apply meaning in context, find synonyms/antonyms, create visual representations, and show relationships between and among words.

• Encourage students to highlight words in their writing they have replaced or selected intentionally.

Deeper

Acquisition 

• Have students create vocabulary notebooks where they define, apply meaning in context, find synonyms/antonyms, create visual representations, and show relationships between and among words.

• Confer with students about their writing tasks and the progress they are making toward developing specific effects in writing through use of domain-appropriate vocabulary.