Transcript The Systematic Vocabulary Instruction Project

The Systematic Vocabulary
Instruction Project
Based on Marzano’s
Classroom Instruction That Works
Research Base
Some researchers expound having students learn new words
while reading text. Their basic premise is that students
must be exposed to and use a word six times before the
student can learn and recall the word. Because of the large
number of works students need to learn, they have suggested
wide-reading as the way to accomplish this.
However, other researchers have stated that lower
performing students will actually learn only 8% of the words
in this format while only 16% of higher performing students
will learn vocabulary this way.
An analysis of the research provides a strong case for
systematic instruction of vocabulary at every grade level.
According to the research, the most powerful
way to teach new terms and phrases is to use
an instructional sequence that allows for
multiple exposures in multiple ways.
Unfortunately, the research shows this type
of instruction is rare.
The Marzano Five Step Strategy is a powerful
tool for teaching new terms and phrases.
Marzano’s Five Step Vocabulary
Strategy
Present students with a brief explanation of the new term or
phrase.
Present students with a nonlinguistic representation of the new
term or phrase.
Ask the students to generate their own explanations or
descriptions of the new term or phrase.
Ask the students to create their own nonlinguistic
representation of the term or phrase.
Periodically ask students to review the accuracy of their
explanations or terms.
Correlations
The strong correlation between crystallized
intelligence and achievement goes a long way
in explaining the strong relationship between
prior knowledge and achievement.
The most direct way of enhancing student
background knowledge is to increase their
access to a wide variety of experiences such
as cultural field trips, prolonged contact with
families who have a wide variety of resources,
and the like.
Programs like this, although they have
great potential, require extraordinary
resources in terms of time, energy, and
finances.
Fortunately, an indirect way of enhancing
the general knowledge of students is
through direct instruction of vocabulary.
Correlations between vocabulary
knowledge and intelligence…..
As early as 1941, researchers estimated that
for students in grades 4-12, there was about
a 6,000 word gap between students at the
25th and 50th percentile.
In 1984, Nagy and Herman estimated the
difference to be anywhere between 4500 and
5400 for low-achieving versus high-achieving
students.
Instruction in Content Specific
Words
Distinct difference between effect of
instruction in words from generalized
vocabulary list and words that are
specific to a given topic.
High-frequency word lists do not focus
on the written material students
encounter in school.
Research Findings
Students who receive instruction in general
words – like those in high-frequency word
lists- increased their ability to understand
new content by 12 percentage points.
– Example: Student A is in a program that teaches
about 10-12 words a week from one of the highfrequency word lists. Student B does not receive
this instruction.
– If Students A and B take a test on the new
content and Student B receives a score at the 50th
percentile, Student A will receive a score at 62
percentile, if all other factors are the same.
Additional Findings
The effects of direct vocabulary instruction
are even more powerful when the words
taught are those that students will most
likely encounter in the new content they are
learning.
– In this case, if Student B receives a score at the
50 percentile, Student A, who has received
instruction on words that have specifically
selected because they are important to the new
content, will obtain a score at the 83rd percentile.
Vocabulary Words
Leon County’s List
Researchers at McRel have identified
6,700 terms that are critical to the
understanding of 14 different subject
areas.
If students were to receive instruction
in about 18 words a week from K-12,
they would be exposed to all 6,700
words.
Training
The Vocabulary Mentors will be trained by Diane
Paynter, one of the original McRel researchers, on
June 14, 15, and 16, 2005. Administrators are
welcome to participate. During this training a
common vocabulary list will be compiled which will
become the core vocabulary for all participating
schools.
The Vocabulary Mentors will train the teachers at
participating schools. This training will be
comprised of initial training and subsequent training
in school-based Learning Communities.
Participant
Expectations
Administrators
Support and encourage the use of
the Five Step Strategy
Complete a Classroom Walk
Through for each participating
teacher.
Review the end of year analysis.
Vocabulary
Mentor
Participate in the June training
Compete survey of knowledge and attitude
Develop a grade/subject specific
vocabulary list based on:
– Vocabulary Project
– Diane Paynter/McRel
– Other word identified by teachers
Yes, there is more….
Facilitate initial training
Facilitate Learning Community Follow-up
Sessions
Implement the strategy in your own
students
Facilitate the teachers’ analysis of
impact
Complete the credit packet
Teachers
Attend the initial training
Participate in a Learning Community
Contribute to the word list
Implement the strategy with fidelity
Collect student data
Complete the portfolio
Expected Outcomes
There will be an increased
understanding of the importance of
using a systematic, explicit and direct
approach to teaching vocabulary.
A positive change in the school culture
will occur as a result of using Marzano’s
Five Step Strategy to teach vocabulary.
Overall academic achievement will
improve in reading, math, and science.
Resources
Training by Vocabulary Mentor
Word Lists
Appropriate Materials
Inservice Credit will be awarded upon
completion of project. (20-25 hours)
No cost to the school.
Further Information
If you are interested in participating, in
this project, please join us on Thursday,
April 28th at 4:00 PM. We will meet in
the Staff Development Conference
Room and answer any questions you have
regarding this endeavor.