Overall, I think that this LTED 625 vocabulary blog has really helped me to become more aware of my word-learning process over the course of this semester. When looking back and reflecting on the words that I have chosen for this project, it seems that I am most attracted to educational words that will assist me in my professional life. I have also chosen a few words throughout the semester that I just genuinely liked or that were new to me outside of my profession. The words on my blog came from a variety of sources especially texts that I encountered from this course. For other words that I encountered outside of school, I had to use resources such as dictionary.com to find the meanings. I had some level of familiarity for most of the words with but there were a few that I had never heard before which I find most memorable.
This vocabulary journal was very beneficial because it caused me to be a more careful and reflective reader, listener, speaker, etc. It also caused me to monitor my reading and and writing to make sure that I was comprehending texts that I was enountering. By slowing down and recognizing important or unknown words, this strategy caused me to have a deeper understanding of the material that I was reading as well as broaden my vocabulary knowledge. This blog also caused me to read for another purpose other than for reading for information. After hunting for the words I wanted to include in my blog, I had to reflect and make personal connections to each word. What I particularly liked about the blog was that it allowed me to see the words and utilize the vocabulary resource from anywhere because it was online.
This blog also helped me to reflect and learn words outside of the terms that I posted because I got to view my classmates blogs. The VVS tests gave me the chance to develop a deeper understanding of particular words that I did not choose to place on my blog. The VVS strategy allows one to partake in a cultivating learner community (Ruddell & Shearer, 2002). As a positive and engaging strategy, it allows the learners to share what they've learned and discuss whether or not they think others should know or learn the words. It's a nice way to make the vocabulary authentic and share it with a real audience.
Prior to participating in this vocabulary strategy, I was opposed to vocabulary tests because I felt that they lacked authenticity and were hard to find relatable by the students. Now that I have went through this strategy my attitude towards vocabulary tests has definately shifted. This strategy incorporates several aspects that make it successful in my opinion. For example, in this case it was centered around a blog which meets 21st century needs, it makes the writing of the posts authentic, it allows the learner to make the vocabulary personal, and a learner community to grow and flourish. The vocabulary tests themselves allowed for me to create my own sentences for the each chosen word which made the test more authentic than most. The test also held me accountable for knowing how to spell each word and define the words. All three aspects are crucial when using each term in the future in my own writing or reading.
After this semester is over, I think that I will continue to slow down through my reading and reflect on words that I don't know, want to know better, or need to know to successfully comprehend the text. I doubt that I will continue to keep my own blog going but I think that I will continue to use the foundational startegies that the VVS strategy has taught me. The blog and the strategy, I think, could be used by and benefit my students in my classroom because they do struggle with vocabulary and word learning.
Overall, the VVS strategy was a beneficial strategy in that changed my view on vocabulry tests, helped me to monitr my reading, and assisted my word learning process. I think that the skills acquired from partaking in this strategy will last well after the blog is over. As a teacher, I think that I will try to bring a few components of this strategy into my classroom so hopefully my students can experience some of the benefits and skills that it helped me to build and expand upon.
Ruddell, M.R. & Shearer, B. A. (2002). “Extraordinary,” “tremendous,” “exhilarating,”
"magnificent”: Middle school at-risk students become avid word learners with the Vocabulary
Self-Collection Strategy (VSS). Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 45(5), 352-363.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
12.3 Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
When and Where I Found It: One of my students came up to me today and asked me what the longest English word was. I had no idea and told her that I would look it up for her and let her know tomorrow. When I searched it on google.com this word came up. I can't believe that it has 45 letters in it!
What It Means: According to dictionay.com Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is: "an obscure term ostensibly referring to a lung disease caused by silica dust, sometimes cited as one of the longest words in the English language."
Level Of Familiarity: Prior to looking up this word I had never heard of this word and will be suprised if I ever hear it again. I even tried pronouncing it a few times and I can't even do that!
Should I Know This Word Well? I definately don't think it's a word that I need to know although it would be cool if I could learn to say it...It may come up in a trivia question some day!
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? The only people I can think of that could possibly need to know this word is perhaps a pulminary specialist. I absolutely do not think that the average person needs to know this word by any means!
12.2 Melancholy
When and Where I Found It: I was watching the movie "Megamind" (which I love) and the bad guy of the movie, Megamind pronounces several words wrong. He pronounces the letter /o/ like and /a/ and vice versa. While watching this movie he pronounced the word 'melancholy' as mel-on-cholly and I found it hilarious (see previous post for term).
Source: Megamind (2010)
What it Means: According to dictionary.com melancholy means:
noun
1.a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression.
2.sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.
3. Archaic .
a. the condition of having too much black bile, considered in ancient and medieval medicine to
cause gloominess and depression.
b.black bile.
adjective
4.affected with, characterized by, or showing melancholy; mournful; depressed: a melancholy mood.
5. causing melancholy or sadness; saddening: a melancholy occasion.
6. soberly thoughtful; pensive.
Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/melancholy">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/melancholy
Level of Familiarity: I am very familiar with this word and for some reason forget about it often. Every time I hear it I realize how much I love it. In high school I used to use it in a lot of my essays because it was such a good adjective!
Should I Know This Word Well? I don't know if it's imperative to know well but I sure do love it! As someone who loves to read, it does come up in various texts so it is beneficial to know for me.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? I think that it's a good word for teachers to offer to their students who are looking for a good adjective to use but I don't think that it's crucial for anyone in particular to know.
Source: Megamind (2010)
What it Means: According to dictionary.com melancholy means:
noun
1.a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression.
2.sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.
3. Archaic .
a. the condition of having too much black bile, considered in ancient and medieval medicine to
cause gloominess and depression.
b.black bile.
adjective
4.affected with, characterized by, or showing melancholy; mournful; depressed: a melancholy mood.
5. causing melancholy or sadness; saddening: a melancholy occasion.
6. soberly thoughtful; pensive.
Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/melancholy">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/melancholy
Level of Familiarity: I am very familiar with this word and for some reason forget about it often. Every time I hear it I realize how much I love it. In high school I used to use it in a lot of my essays because it was such a good adjective!
Should I Know This Word Well? I don't know if it's imperative to know well but I sure do love it! As someone who loves to read, it does come up in various texts so it is beneficial to know for me.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? I think that it's a good word for teachers to offer to their students who are looking for a good adjective to use but I don't think that it's crucial for anyone in particular to know.
12.1 Microthemes
When and Where I Found It:
I found this word in Jessica's assigned article: "Writing to Learn the Curriculum: Tools for Comprehension in Content Area Classes" (Duggan & Knipper, 2006). The authors described the term microthemes as a writing strategy. The article states that microthemes are a strategy "in which students are asked to draw together key ideas in their own words from a reading assignment, demonstration, experiment or lecture" (p. 466).
Citation:
Duggan, Timothy, J. & Knipper, Kathy J. (2006). Writing to learn across the curriculum:Tools
for comprehension in content area classes. The Reading Teacher 59(5):462-470.
What It Means: For once I am not using dictionary.com!!!! According to the Duggan and Knipper (2006), microthemes is a writing activity that is done after students read, listen to a lecture, or finish an activity. As stated above, students are asked to assemble the main ideas of the assigned activity in their own words and record these summaries on note cards to create study cards or quick review cards.
Level of Familiarity: Prior to reading this article I had never heard of this word before. After reading the article, I have a general understanding of what the word means and could guess how to implement this strategy into my classroom.
Should I Want to Know This Well? I think that I should know this word because I think that microthemes can be used in the classroom (any content area) to help students synthesize and clarify key concepts of a text, lesson, demonstration, etc. I think that it's really important that students learn to summarize in their own words (which is a key component of this strategy). As a classroom teacher, I wouldn't mind trying this out in my classroom!
Should Others Know This Word Well? Who and Why? I think that educators and literacy specialists should know this word and understand how to implement this stratgy in the classroom. As I stated above, it does have benefits and could definately help students who are struggling with summarizing, recalling, clarifying, etc.
I found this word in Jessica's assigned article: "Writing to Learn the Curriculum: Tools for Comprehension in Content Area Classes" (Duggan & Knipper, 2006). The authors described the term microthemes as a writing strategy. The article states that microthemes are a strategy "in which students are asked to draw together key ideas in their own words from a reading assignment, demonstration, experiment or lecture" (p. 466).
Citation:
Duggan, Timothy, J. & Knipper, Kathy J. (2006). Writing to learn across the curriculum:Tools
for comprehension in content area classes. The Reading Teacher 59(5):462-470.
What It Means: For once I am not using dictionary.com!!!! According to the Duggan and Knipper (2006), microthemes is a writing activity that is done after students read, listen to a lecture, or finish an activity. As stated above, students are asked to assemble the main ideas of the assigned activity in their own words and record these summaries on note cards to create study cards or quick review cards.
Level of Familiarity: Prior to reading this article I had never heard of this word before. After reading the article, I have a general understanding of what the word means and could guess how to implement this strategy into my classroom.
Should I Want to Know This Well? I think that I should know this word because I think that microthemes can be used in the classroom (any content area) to help students synthesize and clarify key concepts of a text, lesson, demonstration, etc. I think that it's really important that students learn to summarize in their own words (which is a key component of this strategy). As a classroom teacher, I wouldn't mind trying this out in my classroom!
Should Others Know This Word Well? Who and Why? I think that educators and literacy specialists should know this word and understand how to implement this stratgy in the classroom. As I stated above, it does have benefits and could definately help students who are struggling with summarizing, recalling, clarifying, etc.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
11.1 Winningest
"Winningest!"
When and Where I Found It: While watching a basketball game on TV with my fiance he mentioned that we were about to see the Duke coach become the "winningest" coach in basketball. I laughed at him for using such a rediculous made up word. As he swore it was a real term he decided to prove it to my by shoving the dictionary.com definition in my face. As I sat there corrected (and slightly embarrassed) the caption came up on the TV that stated: "The winningest college basketball coach: Mike Kryzewski." He definately took advantage of this "I told you so" moment.
Citation: Duke vs. Michigan State game coverage provided by ESPN (11.15.11)
What It Means: According to dictionary.com:
1. winning most often: the winningest coach in college basketball.
2. most winning or charming: the winningest smile in town.
2. most winning or charming: the winningest smile in town.
Familiarity of the Word: As stated above, I had never heard of this word prior to last night and when I did hear it I still couldn't believe it was a real word.
Should I Know This Word Well? Well, I have made it this far not knowing this word but since I have come across this word, I have seen it several times on various sports shows/games (it even popped up as I am writing this now). I must admit that it is a fun word to know and considering the amount of sports I am exposed to through my fiance, it'd be nice to know it. (I'm actually suprised I haven't come across this word sooner!)
Should Others Know This Word Well? Who? I can't say that this is a word that I think everyone should or find it as funny as I do. However, if someone is big into sports I think tat this is an important and run word to know.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
10.1 Test
When and Where I Found It: Oh boy the dreaded "test" word! I can't remember the first time I heard this word but after I learned what it meant, I have shuttered every time I've heard it ever since. Tests and testing was a common theme in the readings for week 10.
What the Word Means: According to dictionary.com, the definition of test is:
noun
1. the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.
2. the trial of the quality of something: to put to the test.
3.a particular process or method for trying or assessing.
4.a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.
5. Psychology. a set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.
noun
1. the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.
2. the trial of the quality of something: to put to the test.
3.a particular process or method for trying or assessing.
4.a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.
5. Psychology. a set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.
Verb
9. to subject to a test of any kind; try.
10. Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.
11. Metallurgy. to assay or refine in a cupel.
9. to subject to a test of any kind; try.
10. Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.
11. Metallurgy. to assay or refine in a cupel.
12. to undergo a test or trial; try out.
13. to perform on a test: People test better in a relaxed evironment.
14. to conduct a test: to test for diabetes.
13. to perform on a test: People test better in a relaxed evironment.
14. to conduct a test: to test for diabetes.
Level of Familiarity: I am extremely familiar with this word. From taking tests, to creating and administering them I have been on moth sides of the testing process. As stated previously, I have taken tests from an early age but more recently began developing them.
Should I Know This Term: As a student, unfortunately I have to and as a teacher I absolutely need to. Testing is so heavily relied on in education it's imposible to grow up in the US (especially NY) without taking a test. As a teacher, tests come in many shapes and forms but they are a must.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? I think that everyone should know this term as well as straegies to take tests. As stated previously, educators must have a good understanding of tests and know how to create quality exams. In order for tests to be successful students need to have the skills/ strategies to take them and teachers must be able to create quality exams for their students.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
8.3 Hilarious
When and Where I Found It: I found this word while watching a Louis C.K. stand up comedy set on TV. He did whole skit about how people overuse the word and use it when something is only kind of funny, not extremely funny. This obviously isn't the first time I've heard this word and unfortunately I' one of those people that Louis C.K. is talking about.
What the Word Means: Accoding to dictionary.com hilarious means:
adjective
1. arousing great merriment; extremely funny: a hilarious story; a hilarious old movie.
2.boisterously merry or cheerful: a hilarious celebration.
3.merry; cheerful.
1. arousing great merriment; extremely funny: a hilarious story; a hilarious old movie.
2.boisterously merry or cheerful: a hilarious celebration.
3.merry; cheerful.
Level of Familiarity: I am very familiar with this word as stated previously and use it very often. I really misuse the word unfortunately because I use it only when I'm being sarcastic or when something is kind of funny. Rarely do I use it when I can barely catch my breath from laughing.
Should I Know This Word? I think that the word itself isn't important but actually experiencing something that's truely hilarious is key. Though this term is a staple in my daily vocabulary, I could live without it. That said, I love using it and I don't think that it's going anywhere.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? As I stated above, I think it's more important to experience something that's hilarious rather than know the term to descibe it although it is a fun word for everyone to use and I think it livens up someone's vocabulary. At the end of the day, I would say it's not a word that is a "must know" but it's a word that is so fun to know!
8.2 Query
When and Where I Found It: I heard this word in a conversation between two colleagues of mine. The word immediately stood out to me because it's such an "oldie but a goodie"! I haven't heard the word used in so long that I nearly forgot about it.
What it Means: According to dictionary.com query means:
noun
1. a question; an inquiry.
2. mental reservation; doubt.
3. Printing. a question mark (?), especially as added on a manuscript, proof sheet, or the like, indicating doubt as to some point in the text.
4. an inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.
verb
5. to ask or inquire about
6. to question as doubtful or obscure: to query a statement.
7. Printing. to mark with a query.
8. to ask questions of.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/query
Level of Familiarity: I am familiar with the word in that I have heard it before but because I rarely hear or use the word, it took me a minute to recall its meaning (although it did come to me). I more often hear and am more familiar with the term inquery rather than query.
Should I Know This Word? I think that being familiar with the word is good enough for me. I think that the term inquiry is more often used as a synonym and personally I think it flows better in writing and conversation than query.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? Hmm this one's tough. I don't think it's a word that's crucial to know for most people although those who read higher level texts may see this word more often than someone who is reading middle or secondary school texts. I suppose it's best for the people who are completeing higher level readings to be familiar with this term so that it doesn't impede on their comprehension of the text. Other than that, it's nice to know to "snazz" up your oral and written expressions!
What it Means: According to dictionary.com query means:
noun
1. a question; an inquiry.
2. mental reservation; doubt.
3. Printing. a question mark (?), especially as added on a manuscript, proof sheet, or the like, indicating doubt as to some point in the text.
4. an inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.
verb
5. to ask or inquire about
6. to question as doubtful or obscure: to query a statement.
7. Printing. to mark with a query.
8. to ask questions of.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/query
Level of Familiarity: I am familiar with the word in that I have heard it before but because I rarely hear or use the word, it took me a minute to recall its meaning (although it did come to me). I more often hear and am more familiar with the term inquery rather than query.
Should I Know This Word? I think that being familiar with the word is good enough for me. I think that the term inquiry is more often used as a synonym and personally I think it flows better in writing and conversation than query.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? Hmm this one's tough. I don't think it's a word that's crucial to know for most people although those who read higher level texts may see this word more often than someone who is reading middle or secondary school texts. I suppose it's best for the people who are completeing higher level readings to be familiar with this term so that it doesn't impede on their comprehension of the text. Other than that, it's nice to know to "snazz" up your oral and written expressions!
8.1 Brainstorming
When and Where I Found It: This isn't my first encounter with this word but most recently I encountered it in Daniels, Zemelman, and Steineke's (2007) book Content-Area Writing. Throughout my schooling career I have been asked to brainstorm or have brainstormed on my own to get my thoughts and ideas together on a particular topic. Even in daily life I've brainstormed for many different reasons. Full Citation: Daniels, A., Zemelman, S., & Steineke, N. (2007). Content-area writing, every teacher's guide. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Educational Books.
What The Word Means: According to dictionary.com, brainstorming means:
What The Word Means: According to dictionary.com, brainstorming means:
noun
1. a conference technique of solving specific problems, amassing information, stimulating creative thinking, developing new ideas, etc., by unrestrained and spontaneous participation in discussion.
1. a conference technique of solving specific problems, amassing information, stimulating creative thinking, developing new ideas, etc., by unrestrained and spontaneous participation in discussion.
2. intensive discussion to solve problems or generate ideas
Level of Familiarity: As stated previously, I have a high level of familiarity with this term. When looking up the definition, one thing that supprised me is that brainstorming is considered a noun even though I always saw it as something one did rather rather than participated in. Hey! I guess you learn something new everyday! :)
Should I Know This Word? Absolutely! This word has been such a big part of my personal, professional and academic lives that it would be hard to imagine if I didn't know and use this word. As an educator, I think that I need to know this word well and practice it so that I can help my students to use this strategy in their academic and personal lives. As a future literacy specialist, I'm sure I will use the strategy to figure out professional problems and dilemas as well has help teachers and students use it in their classroom.
Should I Know This Word? Absolutely! This word has been such a big part of my personal, professional and academic lives that it would be hard to imagine if I didn't know and use this word. As an educator, I think that I need to know this word well and practice it so that I can help my students to use this strategy in their academic and personal lives. As a future literacy specialist, I'm sure I will use the strategy to figure out professional problems and dilemas as well has help teachers and students use it in their classroom.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? I think that this is a great term to know no matter who you are because it is so useful in and aspect of your life! For example, as a person who participates in Christmas and birthdays, what can you get that special person?! This is when you brainstorm to come up with a list of ideas or possibilities. As a teacher, you can brainstorm the best way to help a struggling student. Literacy specialists use brainstorming also for the same reasons as anyone else would: to generate ideas and to solve problems!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
7.4 Zone of Proximal Development
When and Where I Found It: I recently saw this word in the Clark and Graves (2005) article that we had to read for session 7. I have heard this term several times before in my educational career.
Full Citation: Clark, K. F., & Graves, M. F. (2005). Scaffolding students’ comprehension of text. The Reading
Teacher, 58(6), 570-580.
Teacher, 58(6), 570-580.
What The Word Means: According to Clark and Graves (2005), this term was developed by Vygotsky who claimed that "every mental funstion in a child's development first appears in collaboration with an adult. The collaboration occurs in... the area between what children can do independently and what they can do with assistance" (p.571).
Level of Familiarity: I am familiar with this word. As stated above, I have come in contact with this word several times especially through the conversation of scaffolding.
Should I Know This Word? Yes! I am an educator and future literacy specialist and I think that a term that lays the ground work for an important concept like scaffolding is a must in my vocabulary!
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? Anyone in the education field should have a good understanding of this word. It is a concept that is the foundation for a practice that we are strongly encouraged to use in our classroom (scaffolding). If we understand this idea of ZPD and use it to guide instruction, we may better meet the needs of more students and provide more meaningful instruction.
7.2 Decoding
When and Where Did I Find This Word: I think that I first heard this word when I entered the Literacy program at Naz. Since then, I've heard it on nearly a weekly basis and most recently in our assigned reading of the Reading Handbook by Kamil, Mosenthal, Pearson, and Barr (2000).
Full Citation: Kamil, M. L., Mosenthal, P. B., Pearson, P. D., & Barr, R. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of reading research: Volume III. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
What the Word Means: According to dictionary.com, the word decode has the following definitions:
1. to translate (data or a message) from a code into the original language or form.
2. to extract meaning from (spoken or written symbols).
3. Television. to unscramble (an electronic signal) so as to provide a video picture for cable subscribers.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/decoding
Level of Familiarity: I am very familiar with definition 1 and 2 from above but definition 3 never really crossed my mind. As I stated above, I come across the word a on a regular basis and have a good understanding of most of its meanings.
Should I Know This Word? Absolutley!!! As a future literacy specialist and as an educator I think that it is crucial to know this word. Decoding is an intricate part of the reading process and it is necessary to understand what it is and how it works in order to help students to read. Decoding can interfere with comprehension and other crucial aspects of reading and therefore knowing the term as well as strategies to help promote decoding proficiency in the classroom are crucial for any educator or literacy specialist.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? I think that all educators and literacy specialists/coaches should know and understand this word for the reasons listed above.
7.1 Macropropositions
When and Where Did I Find It: I came across this word while reading Chapter 30 of our beloved Reading Handbook. This was the second time reading this chapter and I had the word circled from when it was assigned in LTED 600.
The sentence that I found this word in was the following:
"Sometimes unterstanding occurs from the bottom up with the reader procesing many individual ideas in text (and sometimes referred to as propositions) and how the ideas are related to one another by the text to construct a general understanding of the text's meaning, whith such summary meanings sometimes referred to as macropropositions." (p.549)
Formal Citation: Kamil, M. L., Mosenthal, P. B., Pearson, P. D., & Barr, R. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of reading research: Volume III. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
What the Word Means: According to Kamil, Mosenthal, Pearson, and Barr (2000) macropropositions are the summary of meanings/ideas (propositions) that an individual processes while reading. Considering that propositions are the individual ideas behind text the macropropositions are more like topics (summary of ideas).
My Level of Familiarity: I must admit that this word and its meaning is completely unfamiliar to me. After looking it up, I know its basic meaning but I am still unsure of its overall concept.
Should I Know This Word? I think that it's a good word to understand and a concept that I as a future literacy specialist should be familiar with. Comprehension seems to be affected by this concept of combining propositions to create a topic of summary of propositions. This sounds confusing (and personally understanding this makes me feel pretty smart) but I think that at the base of this jibberish this word can play a crucial role in students' abilities to comprehend. Combining small ideas together to create one broad idea. I think that as a teacher I ask my students to do just the opposite by thinking of the small ideas and meanings that relate to a topic and it's important to understand this other concept of comprehension.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word? Who and Why? I think that literacy specialists and reading teachers should know this word for the same reasons listed above. In my experience it's rare that teachers approach reading in this narrow to broad way and I feel as though it's something to be able to recommend to classroom teachers if necessary.
The sentence that I found this word in was the following:
"Sometimes unterstanding occurs from the bottom up with the reader procesing many individual ideas in text (and sometimes referred to as propositions) and how the ideas are related to one another by the text to construct a general understanding of the text's meaning, whith such summary meanings sometimes referred to as macropropositions." (p.549)
Formal Citation: Kamil, M. L., Mosenthal, P. B., Pearson, P. D., & Barr, R. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of reading research: Volume III. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
What the Word Means: According to Kamil, Mosenthal, Pearson, and Barr (2000) macropropositions are the summary of meanings/ideas (propositions) that an individual processes while reading. Considering that propositions are the individual ideas behind text the macropropositions are more like topics (summary of ideas).
My Level of Familiarity: I must admit that this word and its meaning is completely unfamiliar to me. After looking it up, I know its basic meaning but I am still unsure of its overall concept.
Should I Know This Word? I think that it's a good word to understand and a concept that I as a future literacy specialist should be familiar with. Comprehension seems to be affected by this concept of combining propositions to create a topic of summary of propositions. This sounds confusing (and personally understanding this makes me feel pretty smart) but I think that at the base of this jibberish this word can play a crucial role in students' abilities to comprehend. Combining small ideas together to create one broad idea. I think that as a teacher I ask my students to do just the opposite by thinking of the small ideas and meanings that relate to a topic and it's important to understand this other concept of comprehension.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word? Who and Why? I think that literacy specialists and reading teachers should know this word for the same reasons listed above. In my experience it's rare that teachers approach reading in this narrow to broad way and I feel as though it's something to be able to recommend to classroom teachers if necessary.
Monday, October 10, 2011
6.2 Quartier
When and Where Did I Find The Word: I found the word while reading Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay.
Citation: Rosnay, A. D. (2007). Sarah's key. New York, NY: St. Martin's Griffin
What the Word Means: According to merriam-webster dictionary quartier is a district or neighborhood especially in a French city.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quartier
Your Level of Familiarity: This was the first time that I encountered this word. I think that my lack of familiarity with the word is due to the fact that it's a specialized French word.
Should I Know This Word?: Considering that it's a French word that I will probably not encounter again, I don't think it's a crucial word to know.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? I don't think that others in the US need to know this word unless they are traveling to France. I think that this word is so rarely come across in popular American literature that it isn't a necessary word to know.
Citation: Rosnay, A. D. (2007). Sarah's key. New York, NY: St. Martin's Griffin
What the Word Means: According to merriam-webster dictionary quartier is a district or neighborhood especially in a French city.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quartier
Your Level of Familiarity: This was the first time that I encountered this word. I think that my lack of familiarity with the word is due to the fact that it's a specialized French word.
Should I Know This Word?: Considering that it's a French word that I will probably not encounter again, I don't think it's a crucial word to know.
Should Others Know This Word? Who and Why? I don't think that others in the US need to know this word unless they are traveling to France. I think that this word is so rarely come across in popular American literature that it isn't a necessary word to know.
6.1 Pilfer
When and Where Did I Find the Word: I first heard of this word in chapter 6 of our LTED 625 text, Content Area Writing Instruction.
Full citation: Daniels, H., Zemelman, S. & Steineke, N. (2007). Content-area writing: Every teacher's guide. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann
What the Word Means: Accorning to dictionary.com, pilfer is a verb that means "to steal, especially in small quantities."
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pilfer
Level of Familiarity: As stated above, this is my first encounter with this word and while reading, I had to stop and re-read the context that it was in to get an idea of what it meant.
Do I Want To Know This Word Well? I have survived many years without knowing this word and to be completely honest, the synonyms have served me just fine. I don't think it's a word that I need to know but it's one that I recognize when I come across it in the future.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well? Who and Why? For the same reasons listed above, I do not think that this word is something that needs to be in everyone's vocabulary. It's not something that we see very often in texts and I don't think that it's a term that is crucial to know and understand.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
5.3 Hypertext
When and Where I Found It: While reading chapter 20 in the Handbook of Reading Research Volume 3 (2008) for session 5 I came across this term. In an increasingly digital era, most people have probably used hypertexts several times throughout their life. It seems as though more recently, we assume that the skills and knowledge used when utilizing links is innate because they're so common while this is not the case.
Full Citation: Goldman, S. R., Rakestraw, J. A., (2008). Structural aspects of constructing meaning from text. In M. Kamil, P. Mosenthal, P. Pearson & R. Barr (Eds.), Handbook of reading reasearch (vol. 3, pp.311-335). New York, NY: Routledge
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, hypertext is " a method of storing data through a computer program that allows a user to create and link fields of information at will and to retrieve the data nonsequentially." To further explain what a hypersext is, Goldman and Rakestraw (2008) discuss their difference from traditional texts in that that "hypertexts have embedded in them explicitconnections to other texts. These embedded links allow readers to take jump easily to other texts." (p.325).
Level of Familiarity: In an era in which the internet and online texts thrive, I have completed most of my high school and college education. I am very familiar with this term as well as how to use hypertexts. In other classes I have had to create my own hypertexts while posting on a blog or creating a blog. It seems as though you cannot navigate the internet without using at least one hypertext! It's pretty crazy when you think about it!!
Do I Want to Know This Word and Why? I think that it's definately important to know what a hypertext is as well as how to use them. As stated above, the internet is a part of our everyday lives and I think that I need to stay on top of the ever-changing technology.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word...Who and Why? I think this term is becoming crucial for just about everyone to know and understand in order to be a successful digital user. I think that educators and literacy specialists need to understand the skills and knowledge needed to use these hypertexts so that they can help students to successfully manipulate these links.
5.2 Learner Autonomy
When and Where Did I Find It: The first time I ran into this term was in Session 5's reading of the Handbook of Reading Research Volume 3 (2008). It was a component of the developmental view of learning from text.
Full Citation: Alexander, P. A., & Jetton, T. L. (2008). Learning from text: a multidimensional and developmental perspective. In M. Kamil, P. Mosenthal, P. Pearson & R. Barr (Eds.), Handbook of reading reasearch (vol. 3, pp. 285-310). New York, NY: Routledge.
What It Means: According to dictionary.com autonomy means "independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions." Learner autonomy would then mean that a learner is independent or free due to their own actions. To further understand the meaning of this term, Alexander and Jetton (2008) mention that "autonomy involves learner choice, and is, therefore, a manifestation of self-determination" (p.302). Those students who are intrinsically motivated when it comes to their education is linked with learner autonomy.
Level of Familiarity: I am somewhat familiar with the term "learner autonomy" but more so with the idea that it represents. In my own teaching practices, I find that giving students choices in their education activates their intrinsic motivation which in turn leads to self-determination and independence.
Do I Want to Learn This Word Well and Why? Yes, I do want to know learner autonomy well because I think that it's an important concept to know, understand, and utilize as a teacher and future literacy specialist.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word...Who and Why? I definately think that educators need to know this word! Intrinsic motivation and self-determination are very important in a students' education and I think that educators (such as those in out LTED 625 class) should understand the importance of promoting choice and learner autonomy in the classroom.
5.1 Anchored Instruction
When and Where Did I Find It: The first time I came in contat with this term "anchored instruction" (p.288) was in LTED 600 when I first read chapter 19 in the Reading Handbook )vol. 3) yet I paid little attention to it. The second time around, it caught my eye and I realized that Ireally wasn't sure of its meaning.
Full Citation: Alexander, P. A., & Jetton, T. L. (2008). Learning from text: a multidimensional and developmental perspective. In M. Kamil, P. Mosenthal, P. Pearson & R. Barr (Eds.), Handbook of reading reasearch (vol. 3, pp. 285-310). New York, NY: Routledge.
What it Means: According to dictionary.com anchored instruction is "a technology-based learning approach which stresses the importance of placing learning within a meaningful, problem-solving context, esp. the bonding of the content to a realistic and authentic context." I love this because it seems to be an approach that is supported by research due to its incorporation of authentic learning practices!
Level of Familiarity: I am somewhat familiar with the concept of the word but the term itself isn't something that I would say that I am familiar with. I would have to say that I need more exposure to anchored instruction because I would like to know and understand the implementation procedure and how technology is brought into this "strategy."
Do I Want to Know this Word Well and Why: Honestly, this word intrigues me. I think that in this new media age, anchored instruction is a strategy that is particularly beneficial to know. It not only incorporates technology but allows for authentic instruction to take place. I love this!
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word...If so, Who and Why: I think that
Full Citation: Alexander, P. A., & Jetton, T. L. (2008). Learning from text: a multidimensional and developmental perspective. In M. Kamil, P. Mosenthal, P. Pearson & R. Barr (Eds.), Handbook of reading reasearch (vol. 3, pp. 285-310). New York, NY: Routledge.
What it Means: According to dictionary.com anchored instruction is "a technology-based learning approach which stresses the importance of placing learning within a meaningful, problem-solving context, esp. the bonding of the content to a realistic and authentic context." I love this because it seems to be an approach that is supported by research due to its incorporation of authentic learning practices!
Level of Familiarity: I am somewhat familiar with the concept of the word but the term itself isn't something that I would say that I am familiar with. I would have to say that I need more exposure to anchored instruction because I would like to know and understand the implementation procedure and how technology is brought into this "strategy."
Do I Want to Know this Word Well and Why: Honestly, this word intrigues me. I think that in this new media age, anchored instruction is a strategy that is particularly beneficial to know. It not only incorporates technology but allows for authentic instruction to take place. I love this!
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word...If so, Who and Why: I think that
Sunday, September 25, 2011
4.2 Declarative Memory
When and Where did I find the word: I found the word in Chapter 1 of Fisher and Frey's (2009) book assigned in session 4. The term is introduced on page 15.
Formal Citation: Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2009), Background knowledge: the missing piece of the comprehension puzzle. Portsmouth, NH: He
Definition of the Word: The term "declarartive memories" are "those that can be easily expressed in a sentencethat makes a statement" (p.15). This is also known as "explicit memory can be subdivided into two categories: episodic and semantic" (p.15). the authors go on to explain that the hippocampus is crucial for this type of memory and if damaged, it will result in the inability to form or retain new memories.
Level of Familiarity: When I took anatomy and physiology we briefly talked about this term yet we did not discuss how it may affect one's learning. I would recognize the term if I hear it but I would not use it in my daily life.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why: I think that it's good to be familiar with the term because it plays such a crucial role in a person's background knowledge and as a teacher (which I am), background knowledge is crucial.
.Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, WHO and WHY?: For the same reasons as listed above I think that this term is important for educators and literacy specialists.
Formal Citation: Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2009), Background knowledge: the missing piece of the comprehension puzzle. Portsmouth, NH: He
Definition of the Word: The term "declarartive memories" are "those that can be easily expressed in a sentencethat makes a statement" (p.15). This is also known as "explicit memory can be subdivided into two categories: episodic and semantic" (p.15). the authors go on to explain that the hippocampus is crucial for this type of memory and if damaged, it will result in the inability to form or retain new memories.
Level of Familiarity: When I took anatomy and physiology we briefly talked about this term yet we did not discuss how it may affect one's learning. I would recognize the term if I hear it but I would not use it in my daily life.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why: I think that it's good to be familiar with the term because it plays such a crucial role in a person's background knowledge and as a teacher (which I am), background knowledge is crucial.
.Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, WHO and WHY?: For the same reasons as listed above I think that this term is important for educators and literacy specialists.
4.1 Transferable
When and Where did I find the word: I found the word on page 7 of Fisher and Frey's(2009) book Background Knowledge: The Missing Piece of the Comprehension Puzzle.
Formal Citation: Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2009). Background knowledge: the missing piece of the comprehension puzzle. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
What it means: As stated by the authors, trasferable refers to "the ability to transfer background knowledge to novel situations" (p.7). They also go on to say that transfer is "the application of new learning" (p.7). Transferability is the "ultimate goal" of teaching yet it's one of the "biggest challenges we face each day" as educators (p.7).
Level of Familiarity: Though this term is very familiar to me, I find a new and deeper understanding of it after reading chapter 1 in Fisher and Frey (2009). Prior to reading, if I thought of the term "transfer" something educational would probably be one of the last things that I would have thought of. Now, I find it to be a very good word to describe moving background knowledge into new situations and material.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? As stated in the reading, this word and idea is the ultimate goal of educators. I think that this term is definately something that I want to know and keep in mind as the end result of my teaching. By this, I mean that I want my students to be able to transfer their background knowledge into new material discussed in class. I need to keep this goal in mind so that I can decifer the best ways to get the students to make those connections.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, WHO and WHY?: I do believe that educators should know this term and the idea behind it in order to better serve their students.
Formal Citation: Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2009). Background knowledge: the missing piece of the comprehension puzzle. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
What it means: As stated by the authors, trasferable refers to "the ability to transfer background knowledge to novel situations" (p.7). They also go on to say that transfer is "the application of new learning" (p.7). Transferability is the "ultimate goal" of teaching yet it's one of the "biggest challenges we face each day" as educators (p.7).
Level of Familiarity: Though this term is very familiar to me, I find a new and deeper understanding of it after reading chapter 1 in Fisher and Frey (2009). Prior to reading, if I thought of the term "transfer" something educational would probably be one of the last things that I would have thought of. Now, I find it to be a very good word to describe moving background knowledge into new situations and material.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? As stated in the reading, this word and idea is the ultimate goal of educators. I think that this term is definately something that I want to know and keep in mind as the end result of my teaching. By this, I mean that I want my students to be able to transfer their background knowledge into new material discussed in class. I need to keep this goal in mind so that I can decifer the best ways to get the students to make those connections.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, WHO and WHY?: I do believe that educators should know this term and the idea behind it in order to better serve their students.
3.2 Breadth
When and Where Did I Find the Word: While completing the readings for week 3 I came across the word in Fisher and Frey's book Word Wise and Content Rich (2008). On page 8 the word is mentioned in a list describing the 5 dimensions of vocabulary knowledge measurement.
Full Citation: Fisher, O., & Frey, N. (2008). Word wise and content rich, grades 7-12, five essential steps to teaching academic vocabulary. Heinemann Educational Books.
What the Word Means: According to dictionary.com breadth has several definitions which include: "1. the measure of the second largest dimension of a plane or solid figure; width. 2. an extent or piece of something of definite or full width or as measured by its width: a breadth of cloth. 3. freedom from narrowness or restraint; liberality: a person with great breadth of view.
4. size in general; extent. 5. A broad or general effect due to subordination of details or nonessentials." The context of the word in our course material stated "breadth through recall of words." In this particular case, considering the context, I would guess that the definition that best fits is number 3.
Level of Familiarity: Though I have heard the word a few times before I have never taken the time to understand its meaning. I assumed that breadth would mean a "vast" or "wealth" of something. I suppose I didn't realize that there were so many meanings. Personally, I had never used this word due to the lack of familiarity of it.
Do I Want to Know this Word Well? I think that it's important to be familiar with the word but I do not think that it is crucial to the vocabulary of an individual.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word...If So Who and Why? Again, I think that it's a word that is nice to become familiar with in case one comes across it. It would be beneficial to have an idea of its variety of definitions but I do not think that it's a word that is crucial for anyone to know.
Full Citation: Fisher, O., & Frey, N. (2008). Word wise and content rich, grades 7-12, five essential steps to teaching academic vocabulary. Heinemann Educational Books.
What the Word Means: According to dictionary.com breadth has several definitions which include: "1. the measure of the second largest dimension of a plane or solid figure; width. 2. an extent or piece of something of definite or full width or as measured by its width: a breadth of cloth. 3. freedom from narrowness or restraint; liberality: a person with great breadth of view.
4. size in general; extent. 5. A broad or general effect due to subordination of details or nonessentials." The context of the word in our course material stated "breadth through recall of words." In this particular case, considering the context, I would guess that the definition that best fits is number 3.
Level of Familiarity: Though I have heard the word a few times before I have never taken the time to understand its meaning. I assumed that breadth would mean a "vast" or "wealth" of something. I suppose I didn't realize that there were so many meanings. Personally, I had never used this word due to the lack of familiarity of it.
Do I Want to Know this Word Well? I think that it's important to be familiar with the word but I do not think that it is crucial to the vocabulary of an individual.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word...If So Who and Why? Again, I think that it's a word that is nice to become familiar with in case one comes across it. It would be beneficial to have an idea of its variety of definitions but I do not think that it's a word that is crucial for anyone to know.
Monday, September 19, 2011
3.1 Metacognition
When and Where Did I Find It: This isn't the first time that I've heard this word. I think recently encountered it in the reading of Billmeyer and Barton's book Teaching Reading in the Content Areas (1998).
Full Citation: Billmeyer, A., & Barton, M. L. (1998). Teaching reading in the content areas, if not me, then who?. teacher's manual. Assn for Supervision & Curriculum.
What it Means: The authors state that "metacognition" one's "ability to think about and to control his thnking process before, during, and after reading" (Billmeyer & Barton, 1998, p.3). Dictionary.com defines metacognition as "Thinking about one's own mental processes." Basically, thinking about one's own thinking.
Level of Familiarity: As stated previously, I am pretty familiar with this word as I should be considering it's a big part of the literacy process!
Do I Want/Need to Know This Word Well? Why?: As stated above, it's important to the literacy processes to know and understand this word.
Should Others Know This Word Well? Why? I think that others need to be familiar with the word. I think that the concept and the process that the word represents is more important. For example, Billmeyer and Barton (1998) state that "How well a reader comprehends a text is...dpendent on metacognition" (p.3). I'd say it's a good word/ process/ skill to know and use!
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