Jill Gifford

EDRG 4020

Dr. Lund

2-5-03

Collecting Words: learning the nuances of word meanings

Purpose: To guide educators in the several ways to teach children how to learn nuances of words. Nuances are words that have very similar meanings. Through collecting new words, children will be able to build their vocabulary and use prior knowledge to find meaning for new words. This can fall under the second grade language arts standard one, which states: Students use prior knowledge to comprehend new information and construct meaning. Students should be able to use these words as a reference during reading and writing.

Strategy in practice:

1. One way of collecting words is to make charts of new words that the students run across during their reading times or even just in conversation.

i.e.: The class is reading the story of, Cinderella, and they run across the word, “ wicked” . You as the teacher will guide the class in discussing the meaning of “wicked” . Help the children find similar words they already know in order to describe the meaning, such as: evil, mean, horrible, bad, and so on. Now create a card with the new word written on it, and add it to your word bank chart under a fitting category or create a new category.

2. Word banks tend to fill up quickly, so in order to keep the word wall organized, a good idea is to put the words in class stories or word books. This should be left at easy access to the students.

3. Another idea not mentioned in the chapter I read for collecting words, is to have each child keep their own mini dictionary where they can keep track of the new words they discover. I think that drawing pictures beside their words can also help them to recognize that other words can be used to describe the pictures. It will bring the words to life.

EDRG 4020’s practice opportunity:

1. As a class we will read a paragraph from the book, The Giver, by Lewis Lowry.

2. When we come across an interesting new word we will discuss other words that mean the same thing (nuances).

3. Next we will write the word on a Pocket Chart card, and add it to our list.