Words Their Way: Vocabulary For Middle School & High School

Description

Students will improve their vocabulary and learn to master vocabulary strategies with this research-based program. Generative Vocabulary (based on Greek and Latin roots), General Academic Vocabulary (words in written text), and Domain-Specific Vocabulary (specific to content areas such as science, social studies, math, and language arts) are the three types of vocabulary highlighted in this resource. The emphasis is on Greek and Latin roots, which is taught in alternating lessons with Academic or Domain-Specific lessons. Each volume contains 600 targeted words that are taught and reviewed over the course of a year. A Teacher Edition and Student Book are included in the bundle.

The Teacher Edition is designed to be used in a classroom setting and contains many useful notes to the teacher to get the most out of the curriculum, lesson plan options, and teaching instruction for every lesson. Lesson plans give teachers a 3- or 5-day pacing plan administered in 15 minutes a day. If students complete 2 lessons per week, they will learn 20 words every week. Or, if this seems too much, teachers may pick and choose which words to incorporate throughout the year. The Teacher Guide references a Student and Teacher DVD Rom with printable resources. The publisher no longer offers the DVDs. While the DVDs are a nice "add-on" for activities, there are plenty of activities in the Teacher and Student books to facilitate learning.

The non-consumable Student Book has 60 lessons with new vocabulary words in each lesson. Students learn to recognize roots, learn vocabulary strategies by using context clues to determine meanings of words, and learn vocabulary in specific subject-areas. Students keep a separate notebook to record word meanings, write sentences, and journal other activities. A glossary is included in the back of the student book for easy access to definitions. There is enough instruction in the student book to be done without the teacher guide; however, you would not have access to worksheets, assessments, games, and other extras.

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.