Authentic Uses, Audacious Uses: Spelling and Vocabulary

“Ahh, yes, spelling and vocabulary! All the enthusiasm by a teacher in the world couldn’t make these two areas of grammar instruction more engaging for students. However, make real-world connections by having students take their smartphones and have them record how they would use new vocabulary and spelling can help them to understand real world applications. In addition, students can take their digital devices and find different places, both inside and outside of school, where new words they have learned are being used.”

Resources Noted in Chapter 5

Quizlet

FlipGrid

Recap

Vocabulary Videos Created by Students

treachery

Evaluation Categories for the Vocabulary Videos:

Planning – Storyboard – 5 pts	Storyboard reflects word and definition being used at the beginning and end of the video and video will accurately demonstrate the correct use of the word according how it was used in the novel.
Drafting – Video Production – 10 pts	Video displays word and definition at the beginning and end of the video and depicts the correct use of the word as it appeared in the book. Everyone played a role in creating the video whether they were in the video, created something for the video or was the person recording the video.
Connections – 5 pts	What is the connection to the text we are reading? For example, How does the word relate to the short story The Outsiders? Why do you think the author made that word choice where it is located in the text?
Evaluating/Reflection – 5 pts	After watching the video as a class, group participants wrote a short 3–4 line sentence reflection about how well they felt the production of the video went, the challenges they had with their particular vocabulary word, and what they could have done differently, if anything. I also ask them to reflect on their new understanding of the vocabulary word (and its meaning in the context of the book).