English language is a challenging language to learn because it is constantly changing and growing. New words are being added, some words are being forgotten and lingo is often changing. Perhaps the situation is most evident with technology-related vocabulary, such as hashtags, LOL, iPad, e-mail, Instagram, Facebook, etc. As a teacher of English second language learners, increasing vocabulary is incredible important. I expand their vocabulary using many different strategies. I use books, labels, hands-on games, art activities, songs, poetry, various forms of technology and during discussions.
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Each week a new book is introduced based on our unit topic. I pull vocabulary I feel is unknown to the children. This not only increases their vocabulary, but also allows my students to better understand the meaning in the text.
Stamina is one of our classes most used vocabulary word. I use this word to correct behavior and study habits. I often will ask, "Who has good stamina? Oh how I love the way Sammy is sitting. Look at her sitting criss-cross applesauce with her hands in her lap and her eyes on the teacher. She is going to learn so much!" Students love being complimented like this. It's amazing to see what a positive chain reaction it causes. Before I even finish my compliment, the entire class is doing exactly what I expect.
Students LOVE technology. Anytime they hear iPad, computer or online programs, their eyes immediately get big and they have huge smiles on their faces. I also really enjoy incorporating technology into my teaching. I am an avid user of youtube, teachertube, Scholastic, Reading A to Z, Discover Education, Brainzy, Smarty Ants and Brainpopjr.
I also incorporate poetry reading into my practice for several different research-based reasons.
Reading poetry improves reading skills:
- Vocabulary rich
- Develops grammar
- Develops basic components of phonics
- Develops recognition to phonetic sounds
- Develops enunciation
- Develops projection
- Develops clarity
- Develops a sense of rhyme
- Develops linguistic capacity
- Develops verbal structure
90% of the vocal changes in a baby's life consists of playing with language (i.e. nursery rhymes). Studies have shown that since children are immediately surrounded in this type of social environment, poetry is naturally enjoyable.
Our students LOVE reading a new poem each week. Every Monday I'm asked, "What's our poem this week Ms. Kylie?" It always amazes me how quickly they memorize the poems. Since I started incorporating poetry into learning our high frequency words, students reading skills have improved greatly. 88% of my students for the 2012-13 school year graduated reading at a first grade reading level. 100% of my students for the 2013-14 school year graduated reading at a second grade reading level or higher.
Here is an example of some poems I wrote based on the selected vocabulary words picked for the week.
Tricks
No time to be sick.
We have to play a trick.
Off to the animal house we go.
We will act like we're chicks.
That fly through the air.
And spell words like slick.
Sight Words:
off
play
spell
air
animal
house
Our students LOVE reading a new poem each week. Every Monday I'm asked, "What's our poem this week Ms. Kylie?" It always amazes me how quickly they memorize the poems. Since I started incorporating poetry into learning our high frequency words, students reading skills have improved greatly. 88% of my students for the 2012-13 school year graduated reading at a first grade reading level. 100% of my students for the 2013-14 school year graduated reading at a second grade reading level or higher.
Here is an example of some poems I wrote based on the selected vocabulary words picked for the week.
Tricks
No time to be sick.
We have to play a trick.
Off to the animal house we go.
We will act like we're chicks.
That fly through the air.
And spell words like slick.
Sight Words:
off
play
spell
air
animal
house
Helping Hand
Can you picture a kind world?
Full of change and a helping hand?
Move people to be kind.
If they refuse, try them again.
We all can help save our world.
Sight Words:
kind
change
hand
picture
move
try
again
The Star Spangled Banner
It’s our national anthem.
Different from our Pledge of Allegiance.
It is sung by men and women.
All of us need to read and sing it.
Sing with me!
O’er the land of the free and home of the brave?
Sight Words:
different
home
need
men
read
us
land
Different from our Pledge of Allegiance.
It is sung by men and women.
All of us need to read and sing it.
Sing with me!
O’er the land of the free and home of the brave?
Sight Words:
different
home
need
men
read
us
land
Why is there a stray?
Let’s turn that way.
It went in the hay.
We need to ask here today.
Because it is such a shame to see a stray.
Sight Words:It went in the hay.
We need to ask here today.
Because it is such a shame to see a stray.
such
because
went
turn
why
here
ask
Waiting in Line
Are we right in line?
We look so fine.
Some space in front and behind.
We’re not too mean.
And not shy.
We’ll help any old man if they cry.
Sight Words:
line
right
too
mean
old
any
some
We’re not too mean.
And not shy.
We’ll help any old man if they cry.
Sight Words:
line
right
too
mean
old
any
some
Let’s Find the Oil!
How do you find oil?
We can call the geologist.
They can find oil.
Geologists have been finding oil for a long time.
Now we know how to find oil.
Sight Words:
been
call
who
oil
now
find
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