Word Study Books/ JournalsA word study book is a strategy or resource that can be used in the classroom where students make their own personal notebook containing frequently used words or concepts. The book or journal can be differentiated in many different ways for all subjects and types of students. (Echevarría,
Vogt, & Short, 2013).
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Background of Word Study
A word study, and the use of a journal during word study, helps students build better comprehension of words rather than just using memorization on the definitions given. Students are provided word work strategies to explore the different vocabulary words. During word study, students also get an alphabetic layer, which is learning about the relationships between letters and sounds. Another layer of word study is the pattern layer, where students learn about patterns in English words (example would be CVC or CVCe). This helps students, especially ELL students learn how the English language system works. The overall goal of word study is for students to be supported in developing knowledge and ability to read and write. (Word Study Instruction in the K-2 Classroom, 2015).
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What Should be Included in A word study book?
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How to start a journalThe video to the right shows how to start a word study journal. This is mostly for students for a reference on how to make their word study, but it shows some good ideas of what to include in a word study journal. If you haven't made a word study journal before, this video would be a good starting point to gather ideas.
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Word Study Books with ELL Students
"Vocabulary Development, critical for English learners, is strongly related to academic achievement."
(Echevarría, Vogt, & Short, 2013).
(Echevarría, Vogt, & Short, 2013).
What are some benefits of the word study book for ELL students?
There are many benefits for ELL students when it comes to using word study books in the classroom. They include but are not limited to:
Students have the opportunity to use visuals- SIOP teachers use visuals because it helps bring context to an understanding for students, especially ELL students. By drawing a picture, students will be able to make connections between their native languages and English. It will help remind them of certain academic words and how they relate. visuals will increase the comprehension of ELL students.
Connecting Experiences- Teachers can use word study books to help ELL students make connections between the content and themselves. This will help students develop background knowledge in order to increase their comprehension.
Students have the opportunity to use visuals- SIOP teachers use visuals because it helps bring context to an understanding for students, especially ELL students. By drawing a picture, students will be able to make connections between their native languages and English. It will help remind them of certain academic words and how they relate. visuals will increase the comprehension of ELL students.
Connecting Experiences- Teachers can use word study books to help ELL students make connections between the content and themselves. This will help students develop background knowledge in order to increase their comprehension.
What to consider with ELL students
1) You must compare the native language with English in terms of sound
2) You must compare the writing systems
3) You must have background knowledge of your students. What experiences does this student have with these words/ with this content? (Word Study & ELL, n.d.)
2) You must compare the writing systems
3) You must have background knowledge of your students. What experiences does this student have with these words/ with this content? (Word Study & ELL, n.d.)
Word study books in different content areas
Word studies and word study journals are not limited to just Reading classes. Word study journals can be used in all types of courses, whether it be Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social, Music, Health, etc.
ScienceIn Science courses, there are a lot of academic vocabulary that is necessary for students to gain background knowledge with in order to comprehend text and instructions. A word study journal would be a great tool for students to use to keep track of the academic vocabulary (tier two and tier three words) and engage with them. It is very important that when teaching academic vocabulary, that students are "active in developing their understanding of words and ways to learn them." (Echevarría,
Vogt, & Short, 2013).
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MathematicsSometimes it can be very difficult for students to understand mathematics based on the vocabulary of the lesson. A word study journal would be very beneficial for students who may struggle in mathematics. It provides students with a resource to attend to when they are stuck and need help refreshing their background knowledge. It also allows students the opportunity to express mathematics in ways that they understand it best. It allows students to personalize their learning and give themselves a voice. It may even be beneficial for teachers to take a look at student's word study journals to gather evidence on how they are comprehending a certain topic.
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HistoryHistory class can be a very difficult subject if students are new and haven't been in America very long. History can also be very difficult because there are a lot of events to comprehend and the content can be hard for ELL students to understand. The academic vocabulary may be hard, but the word study book is a great strategy to use with students in order to help them gain background knowledge on certain academic vocabulary or events that will be in the lessons.
By allowing students to draw and make notes of what they understand, there will be a better understanding from each student during the lesson.
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References
Echevarría, J., Vogt, M. E., & Short, D. (2013). Making content comprehensible for Elementary English language learners: The SIOP model. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
5A1 Meyer. (2013, December 9). How To Make a Word Study Notebook. Retrieved September 18, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LZQHx3k2Cs
Gallo57, A. (2014, November 13). Word Study Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwPHhHzPGPc
Images from: Children ready for school - Google Search. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015.
Word Study & ELL. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2015, from http://group-c-within-word.wikispaces.com/Word Study & ELL
Word Study Instruction in the K-2 Classroom. (2015). Retrieved September 18, 2015, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/word-study-instruction-k-2-classroom
5A1 Meyer. (2013, December 9). How To Make a Word Study Notebook. Retrieved September 18, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LZQHx3k2Cs
Gallo57, A. (2014, November 13). Word Study Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwPHhHzPGPc
Images from: Children ready for school - Google Search. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015.
Word Study & ELL. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2015, from http://group-c-within-word.wikispaces.com/Word Study & ELL
Word Study Instruction in the K-2 Classroom. (2015). Retrieved September 18, 2015, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/word-study-instruction-k-2-classroom