**Vocabulary+in+Their+Own+Words**

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Overview[[image:Vocab.png width="164" height="90" align="left"]]
Vocabulary is important to reading comprehension. Reading comprehension depends upon the meaning a reader gives words. The more vocabulary words a student knows, the better s/he will be able to comprehend.

A large vocabulary opens students up to a wider range of reading materials. A rich vocabulary also improves students' ability to communicate through speaking, listening and writing.

EQ
How can instructional technology be used to help students develop vocabulary skills?

LEQ
How will I use instructional technology be used to help students develop vocabulary skills?

Vocabulary
context, add-on, browser extension,

Activating Strategy
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Increase student vocabulary with:

 * wide reading
 * repetition
 * word structure
 * integration
 * context

Teaching Vocabulary
Step 1 - Give description or explanation of word. Step 2 - Provide non-linguistic (non-verbal) representation of word. Step 3 - Students write own description or explanation. Step 4 - Students create own non-verbal representation. Step 5 - Periodically check map and use words in context.

[|Project Sharing / Practice]

Text to Speech
There are a variety of tools that can take digitized text and convert it to synthesized speech. The ability for students to hear words in context can increase their understanding when reading. Content that may have been previously unavailable becomes available when text to speech is enabled! Windows Firefox Addon - Text to Voice • Apple [|Firefox Addon - Speaking Fox] • Mac Users • [|Windows Users • Text to Speech] • [|Web Tool • Read the Words] • [|Word Web Software]

Web Tools for Practice
Repetition is a way to increase vocabulary skills. Many websites have been established to assist students with vocabulary practice. • [|Free Rice] • [|PaperRater] • [|VocabSushi] • [|Word Girl] • [|Wordnik] • [|Wordthink]

Web Tools
Vocab Profiler

World Book Online
South Western will add the Discover module of World Book Online. This new module includes the ability for students to have the content read to them!

Collaborative
The wiki is a wonderful collaborative environment that students can use to build a vocab-tionary! The word-a-day wikispace is alphabetically organized so students can enter words, meanings and sentences in a searchable space. Another idea would be to organize a wiki around word structures and enlist students to add content. Participate in the Word-A-Day wikispace.

Create
• [|Automotivator] • [|Wordle] • [|WordSift] • [|Mindmeister] • Tagxedo

RSS for SSR
RSS allows the teacher to subscribe to websites and pull in current and frequently updated content for students to read. See this [|Pageflakes example]. The [|TweenTribune] is another great option! Other feed options: [|MSNBC] • [|CNN] • [|Google Blog Search] • [|Alltop] • [|Digg] • [|Technorati]

Extended Thinking
For an EATES lesson plan, students would have to compare/contrast, classify, analyze perspective, construct support etc. Consider this as you create a website with vocabulary learning activities and/or practice for your students.

Summarizer
Share your responses to the question on the Wallwisher.: How will you use instructional technology to help students develop vocabulary skills?

Vocabulary Resource Links
rss url="http://www.diigo.com/rss/user/Mmkrill/vocabulary" link="true" description="true" number="12"

Handout
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Teaser media type="custom" key="6677287"