Word learning has never been a priority in my life. I never would stop and question what a word meant or have any desire to look up words I've come across; it was not a priority until now. By having to keep a blog, my habits and tendencies changed. I became more aware of the language people around me used and words I came across in my daily life. My ears would perk up when I heard an interesting, unknown, or crazy word. I did not care what kind of word it was---I just loved learning new words. I gained most of my vocabulary from the class assigned reading. As a graduate student, I am still learning lots of new and important words in the field of literacy. I also became much more aware in my daily live as well. At work, the gym, or out-and-about, I would take notice to words. I also made a habit of looking at dictionary.com's word of the day. These words were sometimes funny or current. Dictionary.com became my go-to-guide to find the unknown.
The benefits of word learning were endless this semester. First of all it made me more aware of unknown words around me. I have always been someone who would use my prior knowledge to figure out an unknown word, or I'd just skip it. Vocabulary learning has never been a priority to me because I associated it with high stakes testing.
The blog allowed me to show my expanding vocabulary knowledge in a non-high-stakes environment and it allowed me to share my growth with my peers in a non-threatening way.
It also encouraged me to seek out new words as well. Instead of just using the class reading resources, this blog forced me to seek out "words of the day" or listen for interesting words in my environment.
Due to this blog I began to monitor my listening and reading of everything. Because I knew I had this assignment, I was much more careful and always looking for new words. I can remember reading a menu at the Cheesecake Factory looking for a "zesty" word to add to my blog.
Also, because my peers and professor were keeping the same blog, I would learn even more words a week. I enjoyed looking at everyone's blog and it helped me gain even more word knowledge.
Due to my new found monitoring of my reading of everything, I really became a reflective and careful reader---all aspects of reading to learn. I was very in-tune with this assignment and I knew I had to find at least two words a week so I was always on the look out. The way I read changed for the better and I became a lot more aware.
The same can be said about my writing of the blog each week. As a writer, I had to be reflective and really pause and think "is this an important word"? From this blog, my writing became more reflective.
I am not a fan of tests, especially vocabulary tests. I had flashbacks to both ELA and Spanish classes in my secondary education. I have always had a hard time remember words for a test---especially spelling. I am not a good speller and my phonemic awareness (until recently) was not necessary high. Having to take a spelling test in grad school was very hard for me to wrap my head around.
After taking two of these tests, they weren't that bad. Due to the fact we got to pick the words made the words more personal and meaningful. I had to study similar to how I studied in high school for vocabulary tests, but I was successful.
If I use the VSS strategy in my social studies classroom I might use a similar assessment with my students. I am not a fan of memorizing for a test and I sometimes feel this is what a vocabulary test is, but the VSS allows for a more personal approach which could lead to long -term memory of the words.
I am not sure I'll keep a blog or journal of news words I find, but I am much more aware of words around me. I have now trained myself to monitor my reading and actually stop and ponder or learn a word I might not know. I have become more reflective in the words I pick and this will stick with me. From this blog I have learned to take time and expand my knowledge of words.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
13.2 Logorrhea
When and Where Did I Find It: This word was used in the nursing home my mom is in. They were describing my mother (not in bad way) because my mother would not stop talking about something. I was impressed with the CNA who knew this word and I had her write it down for me. She said her mother would use this word in sentences about her when she was a child.
What it means: According to dictionary.com it means incessant talking or rambling. Sometime incoherant as well.
Level of Familiarity: I have never heard this word before, and after seeing the definition I think the CNA used it as an adjective as well. But isn't it true that we change meanings depending on our culture and how we've heard the word before?
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? This is a great word to describe my mother, the nature of her disease and life, she does ramble and I usually have no clue what she is talking about. Ask Meghan--she's heard many convos with my mother which seem like we've gone in a circle just to end up with no solution or real meaning. Instead of calling my mom a chatty Cathy, I might use this instead.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? I think it is a fun word to hear. I was drawn to it the first time I heard it, but it is not a word that everyone needs to know for everyday life.
What it means: According to dictionary.com it means incessant talking or rambling. Sometime incoherant as well.
Level of Familiarity: I have never heard this word before, and after seeing the definition I think the CNA used it as an adjective as well. But isn't it true that we change meanings depending on our culture and how we've heard the word before?
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? This is a great word to describe my mother, the nature of her disease and life, she does ramble and I usually have no clue what she is talking about. Ask Meghan--she's heard many convos with my mother which seem like we've gone in a circle just to end up with no solution or real meaning. Instead of calling my mom a chatty Cathy, I might use this instead.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? I think it is a fun word to hear. I was drawn to it the first time I heard it, but it is not a word that everyone needs to know for everyday life.
13.1 Turducken
When and Where Did I Find It: My boyfriend Randy joined my dad and I on Thanksgiving and he told a story how his uncle would always buy a turducken and it is served at Brown family Thanksgiving every year. I've heard the word before, but I thought it could be the perfect word for my blog.
What it means: According to dictionary.com Turducken means
Level of Familiarity: I've heard this word before and knew some of the elements that went into it, but never did I know how much "meat" was put into the "bird". I also have never met someone who's tried Turducken. Randy liked parts (his had bacon) but he said it was too rich and really filling. He also said the duck part was very greasy and he's not a fan of that.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I wonder how many weight watchers points this is? I don't really need to know this word because for one, I am not a cook and second I like my traditional turkey. I like the leftovers for sandwiches and I don't think a Turducken would save well.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? If you are cooking a Turducken or just looking for a shock factor for your holiday I think this is a word you need to know. It is a fun "food" to know, but it is not part of every day common language, well at least not in my household.
What it means: According to dictionary.com Turducken means
| a boned turkey stuffed with a boned duck that is stuffed with a small boned chicken, sometimes also containing a breadcrumb or sausage meat stuffing |
Level of Familiarity: I've heard this word before and knew some of the elements that went into it, but never did I know how much "meat" was put into the "bird". I also have never met someone who's tried Turducken. Randy liked parts (his had bacon) but he said it was too rich and really filling. He also said the duck part was very greasy and he's not a fan of that.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I wonder how many weight watchers points this is? I don't really need to know this word because for one, I am not a cook and second I like my traditional turkey. I like the leftovers for sandwiches and I don't think a Turducken would save well.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? If you are cooking a Turducken or just looking for a shock factor for your holiday I think this is a word you need to know. It is a fun "food" to know, but it is not part of every day common language, well at least not in my household.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
12.2 Writing to Learn
When and Where Did I Find It: I found this in our class readings in Knipper, K.J., & Duggan, T.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: Writing to learn is different from learning to write. Writing to learn is not a step by step process, but a "catalyst for further learning" (p.462). Writing to learn is "an opportunity for students to recall, clarify, and question what they know about a subject and what they still wonder about..." (p.462).
Level of Familiarity: I have read about writing to learn from our other course readings, but this article really explain the importance of writing to learn. I know now more about assessment and how to work it into my content area. I also think I want to look at this for one of my questions with the multigenre project.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? As a social studies, I know the importance of writing and learning how to write. Writing to learn allows for me to get my students writings. I want to know for my one-day classroom more ways to use writing to learn----I am looking forward to our discussion on Monday.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? I think that all teachers should know more about writing. I think that many teachers, especially secondary shy aware from writing and hope that students gain an understanding in their ELA classes....but it is everyone's duty to teach writing...yes even math & science. Every teacher should have an understanding in how to use writing to learn in their classroom.
What it means: Writing to learn is different from learning to write. Writing to learn is not a step by step process, but a "catalyst for further learning" (p.462). Writing to learn is "an opportunity for students to recall, clarify, and question what they know about a subject and what they still wonder about..." (p.462).
Level of Familiarity: I have read about writing to learn from our other course readings, but this article really explain the importance of writing to learn. I know now more about assessment and how to work it into my content area. I also think I want to look at this for one of my questions with the multigenre project.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? As a social studies, I know the importance of writing and learning how to write. Writing to learn allows for me to get my students writings. I want to know for my one-day classroom more ways to use writing to learn----I am looking forward to our discussion on Monday.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? I think that all teachers should know more about writing. I think that many teachers, especially secondary shy aware from writing and hope that students gain an understanding in their ELA classes....but it is everyone's duty to teach writing...yes even math & science. Every teacher should have an understanding in how to use writing to learn in their classroom.
12.1 Mammothrept
When and Where Did I Find It: I found this word looking at old book this weekend while antique shopping.
What it means: According to dictionary.com it means someone who was raised by their grandmother and is usually spoiled.
Level of Familiarity: I have never heard of this word before seeing it in an older book.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I think this is one of those great old fashion words that no one knows today, but it is fun to learn now. I wasn't raised by my grandmother, but I was certainly spoiled over the years with her cooking and love. This time is hard not having her around anymore, I miss her gravy and cooking especially :)
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? It's a fun word to know, but I don't think people need to know it for their every day lives. But I do think it is a great word because I am sure we've all had a grandparent that has spoiled us
What it means: According to dictionary.com it means someone who was raised by their grandmother and is usually spoiled.
Level of Familiarity: I have never heard of this word before seeing it in an older book.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I think this is one of those great old fashion words that no one knows today, but it is fun to learn now. I wasn't raised by my grandmother, but I was certainly spoiled over the years with her cooking and love. This time is hard not having her around anymore, I miss her gravy and cooking especially :)
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? It's a fun word to know, but I don't think people need to know it for their every day lives. But I do think it is a great word because I am sure we've all had a grandparent that has spoiled us
Monday, November 14, 2011
11.2 Kef
When and Where Did I Find It: I have recently started playing Words with Friends on my iPhone. Someone I was playing played this word. I had no clue what it was and I figured it was one of those strange words that only really really smart people knew. So with a new highted awareness of words, I decided to make "kef" one of my vocab blog words---little did I know dictionary.com just used it as its word of the day!
What it means: According to Dictionary.com Kef means "a state of drowsy contentment"
Level of Familiarity: I didn't know this word at all until someone played it
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I think this is a word I don't need to know. Its a fun word to know and now I have a new word to play in my game, but it don't really relate to my life.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? Depends on your lifestyle, but it is just a fun word to know I think!
What it means: According to Dictionary.com Kef means "a state of drowsy contentment"
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I think this is a word I don't need to know. Its a fun word to know and now I have a new word to play in my game, but it don't really relate to my life.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? Depends on your lifestyle, but it is just a fun word to know I think!
11.1 Studying
When and Where Did I Find It: I found studying my class readings as assigned by Jess and Danielle in Davis, S. J. (1990). Applying content study skills in co-listed reading classrooms. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 33(4), 277-281.
What it means: According to the Davis Article using Anderson and Armbruster's(1984) definition studying is "...a special form of reading that is done in order to perform an identifiable cognitive task (278-9).
Level of Familiarity: Being a graduate student I have spent the better 3/4s of my life studying. From middle school to the present day, I feel like I am always studying for a test, for research, or just learning new material. Studying is a word that I feel like I knew...but I don't think I've ever thought about the process that is studying...and I am not sure if I knew before this article how important it is to explicitly teach studying. I have never been one that likes to studies and especially in high school I didn't study. It wasn't until college did I fully develop the skills and strategies I needed in order to be successful at studying.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, as a literacy specialist it might be my job one day to intervene with students and help them learn to study. I need to know the strategies and how to teach the strategy of studying to my students. From this article, I have now a better understanding in what that might be like.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? I think that every student, educator, and person should know how to study correctly. I feel like I was never taught how to study---it was a crap shot in how a studied in high school. It wasn't until I saw a professor at MCC model good studying strategies that it finally clicked in my head how to study. I don't think it should take someone till college to know how to study so yes I think it is very important for others to know what studying is and what good studying strategies look like.
What it means: According to the Davis Article using Anderson and Armbruster's(1984) definition studying is "...a special form of reading that is done in order to perform an identifiable cognitive task (278-9).
Level of Familiarity: Being a graduate student I have spent the better 3/4s of my life studying. From middle school to the present day, I feel like I am always studying for a test, for research, or just learning new material. Studying is a word that I feel like I knew...but I don't think I've ever thought about the process that is studying...and I am not sure if I knew before this article how important it is to explicitly teach studying. I have never been one that likes to studies and especially in high school I didn't study. It wasn't until college did I fully develop the skills and strategies I needed in order to be successful at studying.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, as a literacy specialist it might be my job one day to intervene with students and help them learn to study. I need to know the strategies and how to teach the strategy of studying to my students. From this article, I have now a better understanding in what that might be like.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? I think that every student, educator, and person should know how to study correctly. I feel like I was never taught how to study---it was a crap shot in how a studied in high school. It wasn't until I saw a professor at MCC model good studying strategies that it finally clicked in my head how to study. I don't think it should take someone till college to know how to study so yes I think it is very important for others to know what studying is and what good studying strategies look like.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
10.2 Morphology
When and Where Did I Find It: I found this in the reading I selected for the reciprocal teaching project:
Kieffer, M.J. & Lesaux, N.K. (2007). Breaking down words to build meaning: Morphology, vocabulary, and reading comprehension in the urban classroom. The Reading Teacher, 61(2), 134-144.
What It Means: According to the reading morphology is "...the study of the structure of words, particularly the smallest units of meaning in words: morphemes." (p.137)
Level of Familiarity: I have taken LTED 609, and one of our books was on phonics and the root of words. I have heard the word morphemes before and know that they are the smallest unit of a word. I am not sure if I actually learned the word morphology or that there was a study of them. I know that linguist most likely studied them, I guess I never knew there was a specific -logy for it.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Morphemes and the overall topic of phonics was something before my literacy journal, I didn't think I needed to know as a special ed and social studies teacher. I didn't think that high school students would need to know what a morpheme is or that I would need to know how to teach it. I went to a school where everyone was pretty smart (or so it seemed) and I figured the rest of the world was like Lansing, NY. Boy I was wrong, I have quickly learned I had a world-class education. After student teaching I realized I didn't have the background knowledge to help students read and write. I didn't know how to teach that. My graduate degree (hopefully one day I'll have it) is helping me realize how important phonics is in secondary education. So of course, (long story-short) I want to know morphology and how to apply it in my classroom.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? Can I just say ditto for what I said above? Yes! Teachers especially us in the secondary content areas need to understand how important Morphology is, along with phonics,for fostering comprehension. I have had the chance to sub in three different districts in the Rochester-Area----doesn't matter how old or young students are----reading and writing and comprehending is an issue and it's a problem that many students are taking to college with them. Us teachers have to understand the important role we play as content and phonics teachers.
Kieffer, M.J. & Lesaux, N.K. (2007). Breaking down words to build meaning: Morphology, vocabulary, and reading comprehension in the urban classroom. The Reading Teacher, 61(2), 134-144.
What It Means: According to the reading morphology is "...the study of the structure of words, particularly the smallest units of meaning in words: morphemes." (p.137)
Level of Familiarity: I have taken LTED 609, and one of our books was on phonics and the root of words. I have heard the word morphemes before and know that they are the smallest unit of a word. I am not sure if I actually learned the word morphology or that there was a study of them. I know that linguist most likely studied them, I guess I never knew there was a specific -logy for it.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Morphemes and the overall topic of phonics was something before my literacy journal, I didn't think I needed to know as a special ed and social studies teacher. I didn't think that high school students would need to know what a morpheme is or that I would need to know how to teach it. I went to a school where everyone was pretty smart (or so it seemed) and I figured the rest of the world was like Lansing, NY. Boy I was wrong, I have quickly learned I had a world-class education. After student teaching I realized I didn't have the background knowledge to help students read and write. I didn't know how to teach that. My graduate degree (hopefully one day I'll have it) is helping me realize how important phonics is in secondary education. So of course, (long story-short) I want to know morphology and how to apply it in my classroom.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? Can I just say ditto for what I said above? Yes! Teachers especially us in the secondary content areas need to understand how important Morphology is, along with phonics,for fostering comprehension. I have had the chance to sub in three different districts in the Rochester-Area----doesn't matter how old or young students are----reading and writing and comprehending is an issue and it's a problem that many students are taking to college with them. Us teachers have to understand the important role we play as content and phonics teachers.
Friday, November 4, 2011
10.1 Nyctophobia
Hardly right for him to do that if you're here by yourself, Miss Laetitia—all alone with your nyctophobia—but if Miss Templeton were here as well, you could all chaperone one another.
-- Barbara Cleverly, A Darker God (taken from Dictionary.com)
What It Means: According to Dictionary.com it means An abnormal fear of night or darkness. Like I said, very fitting for Halloween, the spookiest night of the year!
Level of Familiarity: I would not describe myself has having nyctophobia, but I have my moments when I am scared of the dark. But I have never used this word to describe that feeling. I wish I had it a couple of weeks ago when I was doing a midnight corn maze with friends.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? The next time I am in the dark and I am scared I am going to use this word. I love phobia words because they are very crazy sounding words. They are also the kind of words that make people turn around and take notice. I like those types of words and that was a reason I selected this.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY? If you have a fear of the dark or night, you should know this word. If you have serious issues with it, I suggest you talk to a psychologist or something. This word is just a fun phobia word that people should know if they like!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
9.1 WebQuests
When and Where Did I Find It: I found this in our course readings in Ikpeze, C. & Boyd, F. (2007). Web-based inquiry learning: Facilitating thoughtful literacy with WebQuests. The Reading Teacher, 60(7), 644-654.
What It Means: According to the reading "WebQuests can be used not only for content learning, but also to conduct research in an authentic, problem-solving environment..." (p. 645).
WebQuests are used in digital classrooms to help order higher thinking. They are used either in the short term or long term. WebQuests are designed to offer "multiple knowledge representations and multiple perspectives..." (p.645).
I have seen WebQuests, and they are usually a step-by-step process using the internet and a variety of internet resources.
Level of Familiarity: I have used WebQuests in my classroom and I have seen them used a lot in observations and subbing.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Talking to my peers, it seems a lot of us have had a bad experience with WebQuests. I have been assigned during subbing to do a webquest and they seem like busy work. They were designed to give the students something to do and stay out of my hair and limit my actual time in front of a classroom. That is not what WebQuests are suppose to be or do.
I have used WebQuests before, and after reading this article I know how to use them more properly and I hope to find out more in the future.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO I think that all teachers should have a better understanding of using a WebQuest. As I said, I am not a fan of the busy work WebQuest and that seems like a lot of teachers use them for that reason. Purpose is forgotten a lot when a WebQuest is given and hopefully teachers will know this word better and use WebQuest better in return.
What It Means: According to the reading "WebQuests can be used not only for content learning, but also to conduct research in an authentic, problem-solving environment..." (p. 645).
WebQuests are used in digital classrooms to help order higher thinking. They are used either in the short term or long term. WebQuests are designed to offer "multiple knowledge representations and multiple perspectives..." (p.645).
I have seen WebQuests, and they are usually a step-by-step process using the internet and a variety of internet resources.
Level of Familiarity: I have used WebQuests in my classroom and I have seen them used a lot in observations and subbing.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Talking to my peers, it seems a lot of us have had a bad experience with WebQuests. I have been assigned during subbing to do a webquest and they seem like busy work. They were designed to give the students something to do and stay out of my hair and limit my actual time in front of a classroom. That is not what WebQuests are suppose to be or do.
I have used WebQuests before, and after reading this article I know how to use them more properly and I hope to find out more in the future.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO I think that all teachers should have a better understanding of using a WebQuest. As I said, I am not a fan of the busy work WebQuest and that seems like a lot of teachers use them for that reason. Purpose is forgotten a lot when a WebQuest is given and hopefully teachers will know this word better and use WebQuest better in return.
Monday, October 24, 2011
8.2 Write-Around
When and Where Did I Find It: I found this in our course readings in Daniels, H., Zemelman, S. & Steineke, N. (2007). Content-area writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. p. 74
"The write-around is one of the most powerful of all writing-to-learn activities..." (p.74)
What It Means: Write-Around is a strategy used in small group instruction. During the drafting strategy, a person's work is passed among the group. Everyone reads the paper or assignment leaves remarks, comments, praise and suggestions. The writer in return gets a "...string of conversation" (p.74) for them to see and move on to the editing stage with.
Level of Familiarity: I have seen it in practice (last week in class and in my teaching experiences)---just didn't know the formal name for it!
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I think this is an important strategy to have in the "tool box". I worked well last week, and the comments lefts were valuable in moving to the next stage in the writing process. I would like more practice with this and I would also like to do it in a smaller group when I get a chance to practice with write-arounds again.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO I think that all literacy specialist should know this word and how to use it. I think if a literacy specialist or content teacher uses this the groups should be set up by the teacher. I am very private about my writing and I hate sharing it in the drafting stage---and a teacher should consider this when creating the small groups. Writing is personal and when doing a write-around the teacher should take that into consideration when creating the groups.
"The write-around is one of the most powerful of all writing-to-learn activities..." (p.74)
What It Means: Write-Around is a strategy used in small group instruction. During the drafting strategy, a person's work is passed among the group. Everyone reads the paper or assignment leaves remarks, comments, praise and suggestions. The writer in return gets a "...string of conversation" (p.74) for them to see and move on to the editing stage with.
Level of Familiarity: I have seen it in practice (last week in class and in my teaching experiences)---just didn't know the formal name for it!
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I think this is an important strategy to have in the "tool box". I worked well last week, and the comments lefts were valuable in moving to the next stage in the writing process. I would like more practice with this and I would also like to do it in a smaller group when I get a chance to practice with write-arounds again.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO I think that all literacy specialist should know this word and how to use it. I think if a literacy specialist or content teacher uses this the groups should be set up by the teacher. I am very private about my writing and I hate sharing it in the drafting stage---and a teacher should consider this when creating the small groups. Writing is personal and when doing a write-around the teacher should take that into consideration when creating the groups.
8.1 Mylo Xyloto
Chris Martin the lead singer talked to the NY times about the new cd and this is where I got a lot of my information about what Mylo Xyloto means from here http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/arts/music/chris-martin-of-coldplay-discusses-mylo-xyloto.html?pagewanted=all
What It Means: It is pronounced My-lo Xy-lot-to; it has a different meaning every time Chris Martin is interviewed. I am going to take my meaning from the said article above, but Coldplay was recently on the Today Show (after the Times' interview) and he said to forget about this interview and stop trying to make meaning of it.
But from the NY Times interview Mylo Xyloto means as quoted by Chris Martin
Pressed about the title, Mr. Martin described a kind of mythical character signifying the wonder of artistic inspiration.
“Music comes from a place we don’t know,” he said. “It sort of comes through the fingers and toes. So we came up with the idea of, what if you had musical digits, like xylo toes.” He shook his head, irritated that he gave up the secret so easily."
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? As one of the biggest Coldplay fans in the world, I wanted to know how to say this word more then anything. If you listen to any Coldplay songs---they hardly make sense but they do give you this feeling of enjoyment. I have been to one of their concerts and it was an experience I won't soon forget. It was amazing and I guess that is where Mylo Xyloto comes from.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO If you like Coldplay--yes, if not, forget about it! Just my fun word(s) of the week :)
Sunday, October 16, 2011
7.2 Bungalow
When and Where Did I Find It: I found this reading the new HGTV magazine. One of my guilty pleasures in life is watching the HGTV network and their design shows and house hunting shows as well. They just released their new magazine and it has become impossible to for me to put down....it's down now because I am typing.
What it means: Bungalow is a type of house. It is actually my favorite style of house. A craftsman bungalow usually has a dominating front porch, a low-pitched roof, exposed beams, and details that most houses of today just do not have.
Level of Familiarity: I have watched a lot of HGTV in my day and I also really enjoy looking at real estate and housing plans. I have know what a bungalow style house is for awhile. I think it is also a fun word to say, it rolls off the tongue :)
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, if I was to buy this type of house and it needed work, I would want to be familiar with the features within it. Outside of it, I can impress my friends when we go walking somewhere I spot this style of house. I learn bits and pieces from watching TV and HGTV magazine, but I am not going out of my way to find out new information.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY?: If you are buying a bungalow, all I ask that is you keep with the style. You can make a bungalow modern, but please please do not get rid of moldings or the cooper or wrought-iron it might have. So if you are buying a bungalow style house---read up on the style, if not, forget about it.
7.1 Scaffolding
Where and when did I find it: I found this in our course readings in Clark, K. F., & Graves, M. F. (2005). Scaffolding students’ comprehension of text. The ReadingTeacher, 58(6), 570-580.
"...scaffolding plays an essential and vital role in fostering comprehension" (Clark& Graves, 2005, p.570).
"process that enables a child or notive to solve a problem", "Supported situations" (my personal favorite), "what teachers say and do", "a teacher monitors students learning" & "a temporary supportive structure" (Clark & Graves, 2005, p.571).
If I was going to create a Wordle (http://www.wordle.net/) on this, all of these words would be included....scaffolding just like it is as a strategy encompasses many different concepts.
I like to also think of scaffolding like a construction scaffold. They are needed to support an new building when its being built. They are built up and are there to support the building during it's most primitive time. When they are removed the building is free-standing all on it's own.
Isn't this what scaffolding is with students? We are supporting them during their knowledge search and inquiry and we are there to guide them to independence?
"...scaffolding plays an essential and vital role in fostering comprehension" (Clark& Graves, 2005, p.570).
What it means: I have always thought of scaffolding as supported help or a teacher directing a student during instruction. I actually really like how this article describes scaffolding and it really adds to my understanding of this concept:
If I was going to create a Wordle (http://www.wordle.net/) on this, all of these words would be included....scaffolding just like it is as a strategy encompasses many different concepts.
I like to also think of scaffolding like a construction scaffold. They are needed to support an new building when its being built. They are built up and are there to support the building during it's most primitive time. When they are removed the building is free-standing all on it's own.
Isn't this what scaffolding is with students? We are supporting them during their knowledge search and inquiry and we are there to guide them to independence?
Level of familiarity: Being the future literacy specialist that I will be I have heard this word endless, but I love being reminded and giving a different understanding of it. I appricate the professional development I get every time I read an article on scaffolding. It will be interesting when I do have a classroom how I use it and I hope that all these articles I have read have prepared me for it. It seems like something that a lot of teachers "mess" up and I hope not to be one of those teachers.
Do I want to know this word well and why? YES, yes, yes & yes. Like I state above, I don't want to be one of these teachers that "halves" scaffolding or says they are scaffolding and they really aren't. I don't want to be one of those teachers and I will not be one of those teachers.
I want to keep learning about scaffolding, because every time I read something about it, I learn something new. This weeks readings all focused on it and I learned something new each time. Scaffolding is a word that I will keep in my "file folder" in my mind as something I want to continuously learn more about. Do I think others should know this word well...if so WHO AND WHY? I think that every teacher and professional in education should know this word beyond well. Scaffolding is not a strategy that teachers should use time from time, I think it is just best practice. I think every lesson should have some kind of support practice in it every time (except maybe test taking...) and it should be something that teachers do naturally---many do not, this is why it should be a word that teachers know well....
Monday, October 10, 2011
6.2 Environment
When and Where Did I Find It: I found this in my assignment reading Daniels, H., Zemelman, S. & Steineke, N. (2007). Content-area writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. p. 121
"So what are some essential approaches for building an environment in which students craft good, thoughtful writing that building learning in your subject?" (Daniels, Zemelman & Steineke, 2007, p.121)
"So what are some essential approaches for building an environment in which students craft good, thoughtful writing that building learning in your subject?" (Daniels, Zemelman & Steineke, 2007, p.121)
What it means: Environment has many different meaning in our language, but I want to explore the phrase supportive environment and how it relates to writing in our classrooms. As teachers we have to create an environment that harbors learning and that makes students comfortable. For learning to happen, I think environment is one of the key factors.
I was very surprised in this section how small it was---talking about creating an environment, but in the following chapters---I could see the authors talking again about how to create an writing environment for students.
I was very surprised in this section how small it was---talking about creating an environment, but in the following chapters---I could see the authors talking again about how to create an writing environment for students.
Level of Familiarity: At the moment, I do not have my classroom, so I have not yet put into practice creating my own classroom environment, but I have a lot of experience with it. Last year I took LTED 618, a class that focused on writing and we had writing workshop almost every class. As a class we created a supportive environment that fostered learning and development. We would use that time effectively because of the environment Dr. Jones and the class created.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, like I stated above it is something important I have learned through experience and research. I want to continue to remember this word and imply it in my one day classroom. Having an environment that fosters writing and learning is an important part of my teaching pedagogy
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY?: Yes--everything all teachers should know this word. I am currently subbing and I can tell walking into a classroom what kind of environment it is. I can tell what the teacher values and doesn't.
I think that all teachers should be aware of the environments they create for students. Reading the content-writing book as given me perspective on this topic and I think it is an important topic. Environment is key and that is why all teachers should know this word.
I think that all teachers should be aware of the environments they create for students. Reading the content-writing book as given me perspective on this topic and I think it is an important topic. Environment is key and that is why all teachers should know this word.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
6.1 Milquetoast
When and Where Did I Find It: Milquetoast was the word of the day on my Google dashboard, as taken from dictionary.com.
What it means: As quoted from dictionary.com
A very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated or intimidated.It was hard to believe that a milquetoast coward like myself could be involved in such a clandestine and dangerous operation.
-- Walter Mosley, Fear of the Dark
Level of Familiarity: I have never ever heard this word before. But after reading the definition, I can name a handful of people that fit this description and I think it actually describes a lot of people in our society as well.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Its a fun word to know and to bring up at the dinner table. I think that I might start describing some people I know who I consider unassertive with this word. I don't think it's a word I need to know well, but it could be a fun word to know. Also people might think i am being mean if I used this word too much. :)
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY?: I think it's a fun word and fun words everyone should know. Do others need to know it well...I don't think so. I think this is just a fun word of the day and just gives me another word to describe people in this world and I think most others would think the same thing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)