Wordstruck or Wordstuck: The Power of Words

Alice De Dominicis KMWP 2011

Inquiry: How can we teach student what words are

all about? What are some ways to make learning new

vocabulary fun and multiply vocabulary at the same time?

Why is word connotation important in vocabulary acquisition and what are some ways to teach it?

Context of Teaching High school Spanish Levels 1, 2, and 3 Demographics English aptitude Foreign language = vocabulary + grammar

What are words all about? Words are a writer’s tools.

What are your favorite words? Teachers need to model their own curiosity

with words.Ralph Fletcher explains the importance of words, “A rich vocabulary allows a writer to get a richness of thought onto the paper. However, the writer’s real pleasure comes not from using an exotic word but from using the right word in a sentence.”

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Dictionary use

What are some of the tools the dictionary gives us to help learn new vocabulary?

It’s all Greek to me.Greek and Latin Stems

pandemonium How do stems help you with defining

the word? panchromatic pandemic

Pangaea

What do the experts say?

“Knowledge of Latin and Greek word roots is potentially a very powerful aspect of generative vocabulary knowledge. As students learn meanings for the most frequently occurring roots in core academic vocabulary (such as –struct “build”) and in content-specific academic vocabulary, they may generate an exponential boost in their vocabulary growth.”

Templeton, Shane; Bear, Donald R.; Invernizzi, Marcia, and Johnston, Francine. Vocabulary Their Way: Word Study with Middle and Secondary Students. (2010). Boston, Masssachussetts: Pearson Education,Inc.

Let’s play with stems! Put together as many words as you can

that you already know using prefixes, suffixes and bases (roots).

Write these on a piece of butcher block paper.

Now, see how many new words you can create and write these on your paper as well.

What are some new words you created and what do they mean?

Exploring Words Choose one of your favorite words and look

it up in the dictionary. Note if it has any Greek or Latin stems.

Create a concept map to further explore your word and portray all its possible components and uses.

Concept MapsDefinition

Characteristics

Word/Concept

Examples Non-examples

Playing with WordsHomonyms- Words that are spelled the same

and sound the same but can mean different.

Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo...

The King Who RainedA Little Pigeon Toad

Connotation of WordsWord connotation is learned as we acquire

vocabulary.

difficult ------- challenging stingy -------- economical headstrong --- determined nitpicking ----- meticulous childish ------- childlike

What I learned. What’s important to remember is that to be a

good writer, you have to fall in love with words first, if not at least pretend.

A rich vocabulary will enhance your craft. Play with words. Before you know it, your students

will be the ones taking notice of new words and new ways to use them.

Language is not fixed. Like desert sand dunes, language shifts and changes throughout time. Be open to using words in new ways