Final Entry/Reflection on Vocabulary Learning

Throughout the semester I was excited to keep a vocabulary journal. I have always felt that I could improve on my vocabulary, and this assignment gave me the chance to do so. While reading, listening or watching T.V I noticed new words more often. It became very interesting to me how often I would be watching a television show and hear an interesting word that I wanted to use in my vocabulary journal.  Many words I used came from my LTED 609 class that I was also taking this semester. Being able to transfer words from one class to the other was useful when writing papers or having conversations. Knowing in detail the definitions of words related to my profession was very helpful. My classmates would include many interesting words in their vocabulary journal that also described important words in my profession. By doing so I feel that I have not only added to my personal vocabulary of every day words, but also to my professional vocabulary word bank.

The vocabulary journal assisted me in being more aware of new words around me. I was constantly looking for new words to add to my vocabulary journal. I feel that I became a more efficient reader because I was always looking for important vocabulary words while I read. Reading educational journals became easier as i became more familiar with words that I either did not know at all or did not know exactly what the definition was. Once I had found new words, it was not difficult to keep track of them by writing them in my blog. The blog not only helped with learning new vocabulary, but it also helped with staying organized and with time management. Having to do 2-3 words a week kept me on top of my vocabulary journal.(until I fell a few words behind at the end of the semester!)

At first I thought that taking a vocabulary test would ruin the fun of the vocabulary journal. As we continued to fill in our vocabulary journals I realized how many words there was to learn. By nominating words and completing a vocabulary test I was able to focus on a few words and learn their definitions well. Usually the words for the test were interesting words, or words to do with the education profession. Learning ten words completely made more sense than trying to memorize 50 words a week. Taking a vocabulary test was beneficial to learning definitions more clearly and using the words in context.

Although I will not be adding weekly to my vocabulary journal, I will still be aware of new and interesting words. By creating this vocabulary journal semester I am more aware of words and more interested to learn their meanings. This journal as taught me to appreciate vocabulary throughout my every day life. Even as a coach I try to expose my athletes to new words every day. I use the phase "vocab. word of the day" when I am using a word I am sure they are unfamiliar with. Before doing this vocabulary journal I had always felt that as a teacher it is my job to expose my students to new, interesting, and sometimes difficult words but now I see how even more important it is.

14:1 Socially Interactive

Where and When did I find this word?
While reading Handbook of Reading Research Volume III, chapter 24 I found the words Socially interactive.

What does this word mean?
In the book the sentence involving socially interactive is, "...described engaged readers as motivated to read for a variety of personal goals ,...and socially interactive with literacy. In my own definition, socially interactive means the students are working with hands on materials, working with others, and not just reading plain text.

Level of familiarity:
As a teacher I am familiar with the term socially interactive. I try to make my lessons and activaities as social and engaging as possible.

Do I want to know this word well?
Yes, this word is important to know as a teacher. Teachers need to engage their students and make the work as interesting as possible. Working socially with others helps students to become more interested in the topics they are learning.

Do I think others should know this word well, why?
If someone is a teacher I think this term is important to know. A good teacher is someone who can engage their students in the topics they are teaching, socially interactive learning can help do that.

13:3 Inference

Where and when did I find this word?
While reading "Teaching vocabulary to improve reading comprehension" By William Nagy, I found the word inference on page 4.

Nagy, W. E. (1988).  Teaching vocabulary to Improve reading comprehension.  Newark, Delaware: 

International Reading Association. 

What does it mean?
According to dictionary.com, Inference means, the process of arriving at some conclusion that, though it is not logically derivable from the assumed premises, possesses some degree of probability relative to the premises. Nagy suggest that student should make inferences about what a word means by using context clues, or breaking down the word into words they already know.

Level of familiarity:
I know the word inference well, I use it often. I also make inferences often while doing work for school.

Do I want to know this word well?
Yes, it is a good strategy to use when I am unsure of something. While reading I can make inferences, while doing homework I sometimes have to make inferences.

Do I want others to know this word well, why?
Yes, making inferences is a good tool to use, not just in school but everyday careers and life.

13:2 Literacy

Where and when I found this word?

As the semester comes to a close, in my 609 class we are working on our Literacy Autobiographies. This is where I got the idea to use the word Literacy.

What does it mean?

According to dictionary.com Literacy means the quality or state of being literate. esp. the ability to read and write. Throughout my studies as a graduate student at Nazareth we have discussed in depth the meaning of being a literate person. If I were to add to this definition I would say, literacy is the ability to communicate within society, being able to read write and speak.

Level of familiarity:

I absolutely know this word. For this last year or so I have been studying literacy and what it means, how to teach it and how to become more literate myself.

Do I want to know this word well?

Yes, as an aspiring Literacy Specialist I am striving to know every aspect of literacy. It is an important word for me to know.

Do I think other should know this word well, why?

Yes, I do think others should know this word. Literacy is very important in our society. It gives us the ability to communicate within society, reading a magazine, newspaper, speaking to others, or writing an email. All of these things and more are a necessity to being successful in society.

13:1 Appease

Where and when I found it:
I found this word when I was subbing at Gates Chili Middle School. Every morning the do a vocabulary word of the day. Appease was today's vocabulary word of the day.

What it means:
Appease means to calm or satisfy. The sentence that they used to describe the word appease was "A mother sometimes gives her child candy to appease her."

Level of familiarity:
I am familiar with this word, although I have not used it often in written or oral communication. I have heard the word used many times and have read the word many times.

Do I think I should know this word well?
Yes, I would like to know this word well to enhance my vocabulary and in the future I will try and use this word more often in conversation and written work.

Do I think others should know this word well, why?
A word like appease is a good vocabulary word to know. It can take the place of words like satisfy.

12:2 Demonstrate

Where and when I found this word:
I found this word as I was creating and reading rubrics for the end of semester assignments. The word demonstrate came up often as an expectation that the teacher wants the student to accomplish.

What it means:
Demonstrate means to manifest or exhibit. This definition matches my use of demonstrate perfectly. (dictionary.com)

Level of familiarity
I use this word often in my everyday and professional life. As a teacher have to demonstrate or model what we want or students to do. As a cheerleading coach I sometimes have to demonstrate to my team what I want them to do also.

Do I want to know this word?
Yes, this word is used often in everyday life and many professions. It is an important word to be familiar with.

Do I want others to know this word well, why?
Yes, they should know this word well. Especially if they are teachers. Teachers must demonstrate often in a classroom for how they want things to be accomplished.

12:1 Rubric

Where and When I found this word:
As the semester is coming to a close I have been working with different kinds of rubrics in both of my classes. Both creating my own rubrics and looking at rubrics my professors have given me. www.rubistar.4teachers.org is a great website to gain ideas and help while creating a rubric.

What does it mean:
Rubric is any established mode of conduct or procedure; protocol. (dictionary.com) The way I am using the word rubric to describe directions given to me to complete a project or directions I am creating to create a project.


Level of familiarity:
I am absolutely familiar with this word. I have used it many times written and speaking. I have used it in and outside of my professional field. The word rubric was introduced to me in early elementary school, because many teachers use rubrics to give students directions for projects. I believe I will continue to use the word rubric throughout my career as a student and teacher.


Do I need to know this word?
Yes, I do need to know this word. As a teacher and as a student rubrics are used often. They are a great what to explain the expectations for an assignment and I plan on using them often.


Do I think others should know this word well, Why?
If someone is a student they should know this word well, because teachers use rubrics often to explain the expectations for a project. If someone is a teacher I would hope they would already know this word well and use rubrics often in their classrooms. 

Strategy 8: Using a Podcast to demonstrate new content knowledge

I. Podcast Assignment Instructions                                                      Level of Expertise 6

Public Service Announcement

“Little Rock 9”

Directions: We will be creating a Podcast for this project using Garage band.  For this project you will be taking on the character of the “little rock 9” that we read about in our textbook and the novel “the little rock nine, turning point”. These students were the turning point in the civil rights movement and it is your job to describe how these students efforts changed the way you live today.

In groups of 3-4 create a script using the voices of the little rock 9 to explain the hardship that they went through trying to desegregate schools. How would our schools today be different if the “little rock 9” students did not fight for desegregation?

Role: Little Rock 9 students

Audience: Students of 2010

Format: Public Service Announcement

Topic: What schools would be like if they were still segregated…

You will first need to write a script, this script should be:

·         Two pages

·         Correct spelling

·         12 font

·         Double spaced

·         No grammatical errors

·         See example for format**

What needs to be included in your podcast:

1.      Name and personal story of your little rock nine character

2.      Why you’re doing this PSA

3.      What their school life was like before the Civil Rights Movement

4.      Explain the struggles they went through to achieve their goal

5.      Explain how our school lives would be different if they did not make the sacrifices they made

6.      ***Everyone must have a speaking role***

Important things to think about

·         Voice

·         Pacing

·         Emotion

·         Story line

·         Sequence of events

·         Main idea

·         Sound effects

·         Music

Due Date_______________

II. Rubistar for Podcast

Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Paper: Organization	Well written, little to no grammatical errors, Persuasive writing style, Correct format.	Fairly well written a few grammatical errors, semi persuasive writing style, format is used correctly in some ways.	Poorly written, many grammatical errors, poor persuasiveness, format is not evident.	Not completed
Voice	Clear, concise, and fluent.	Little speaking mistakes, concise voice, clear voice.	Not clear, many speaking mistakes, stopping or changing words.	Unable to comprehend.
sound quality	Clear sounds, pitch of sounds correct, No static or background noise	Little to no background noise, sound pitch is correct through most of the podcast, very little static or other noises.	Some background noise, pitch is to loud or to soft, some static.	Unable to hear because of background noise, unable to hear because sound level is to high or to low. Sound quality is scratchy or unclear.
Content Knowledge	Explanation of events correct, insightful information, correct use of names and events. Enough information to satisfy the assignment.	Explanation of events are mostly correct. Most of the information is interesting. Use of names and events are mostly correct.	Needs more information to satisfy assignment. Use of people places and events mostly incorrect.	Content Knowledge is unknown, incorrect information is presented.
Persuasive	Well done	In need of some work	Not persuasive	N/A

III. Sample of correct writing format

JENNY-This is a public service announcement. We are three students from the little Rock 9, Ernest Green, Thelma Mothershed, and Elizabeth Eckford the first students to desegregate the school systems. We are here today to tell you how different your lives would be if it wasn’t for what we sacrificed. In the 1960’s schools were not at all what they are like today.  During the 1960’s the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Thanks to Martin Luther King jr. Malcom X, Rosa Parks, and many others we were able to change the ways of life for so many people not just in schools but throughout our whole society. Separate but equal had to go and those people are the ones who started the ball rolling.

CAIT-Think of your classroom, probably the one you’re sitting in right now. Look to your left, and look to your right. Are there African American Students in your class? Are you an African American student? Is the person sitting next to you Hispanic or Asian? If you answered yes to any of these questions your life would be significantly different if it wasn’t for us. These students who are not white would NOT be sitting here.  

ANT-Before desegregation African Americans and white students by law could not attend school together. A black student in some cases would have to go to the other side of the city to attend school, even if they lived up the street from an all white school.  Many people lived by the idea of “separate but equal.” These schools were for sure separate, but absolutely not equal. African American schools had many less of the necessities than white students.  For instance the textbooks we used were falling apart, missing pages out of date or nonexistent. Our facilities were not up to anyone standards, holes in the ceilings, no running water, no heat, broken windows etc. This was not an environment for learning. We knew something needed to be done and with the help of the civil rights movement we saw our chance to change our own lives by getting a real education.

JEN-Although the law of “separate but equal” changed it didn’t mean that the people’s views changed. Just because the courts said we could go to school didn’t mean that the white students and parents were going to let us go to school. On the first day of school we were met with an angry mob of teacher’s student’s and the community. The words they said to us hurt deeper than the things they threw at us.  That first day we did not even make it in the door. The president of the United States Dwight Eishenhaur finally sent in the United States Army. These officers had to walk us into class and make sure we were safe. This event in itself was a huge gain for the Civil Rights movement. Although we were backed by the government we still fell upon hardships when going to school. One of our fellow little rock 9 students was even expelled when she couldn’t take the harassment anymore and finally fought back. Every day was a struggle.

JEN-Do not take your education for granted. The little Rock 9 worked too hard and sacrificed to much for you to not take advantage of what you have in these schools. Next time you are fed up with homework or bored in your classes remember our story and the torment and harassment we had to endure so you “the future” would receive the education you deserve no matter the color of your skin, sex, religion or any other reason. Remember us, the little rock

11:2:Proposition

Where and when did you find this word?
I found this word in my "Teaching reading in the conten area" by billmeyer and Barton, while completing my strategy 6 assignment.
Billmeyer, R. & Barton, M.L. (1998). Teaching reading in the content areas: If not me, then who? (2nd ed.). Aurora, CO: Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory.

What does it mean?
Proposition means, "a proposal or topic presented for consideration." (dictionary.com) In my strategy 6 assignment this definition is appropriate because this is what the students would do, propose something and then try to consider or prove if it is correct or can be proven.

Level of familiarity:
I am familiary with this word, however I do not use it in speech or writing often. Maybe when I'm bribing a student to do their work I may offer them a propostion.

Do I need to know this word?
yes, I like to expand my vocabulary and I think this is definitely a commonly used word.

Do I think others should know this word well, why?
Yes, again it is a commonly used word and could definitely be used in the classroom. Especially when using the strategy that I used for my strategy 6 teachers would need to know what proposition meant.

11:1 Excemption

Where and When i found it?
I found this word excemption while I was teaching 12th grade math at Gates Chili High school. We were learning about income tax.

What it means?
Excemption in the context of taxes means, one who is excempted, especially an amount of income that is excempted from taxation. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/)

Level of familiarity:
I am definitely familiary with this word because of doing my taxes. Although it is not a word I use on a daily basis, but I do know the definition and would be comfortable using it in context.

Do I think I should know this word and why?
This word is important, everyone has to do taxes. Not only does excempt describe you taxes it is also a commonly used word to describe how someone does not have to do something.

Do I think others should know this word well why?
Yes I do, everyone has to submit taxes and we should all know what amount we are eligable to be excempt from. Also it is a commonly used word.

10:1 Efficacious

Where and When I found it:  While reading the article Effective Reading Instruction for Struggling Readers: The Role of Direct/Explicit Teaching by Rupley, Blair and Nichols I came across this word.

"Explict/direct instruction has been shown to be efficacious in learning and teaching the major components of the reading process..."

What it means: According to dictionary.com the word efficacious means, capable of having the desired result or effect. 


Level of familiarity: I am very familiar with the word effect, which seems to be a root word of efficacious,  and use it often in speaking and writing. Yet I have never come across the word efficacious before in any readings or in conversation.

Do I think I should know this word well, if so why? I think this is a sophisticated word that I would like to use more often in everyday conversation and in my writing pieces.


Do I think others should know this word well if so why? If one would like to sound more sophisticated or is looking to enhance ones vocabulary I think that this is a great word to use. It is simple and used often by many therefore will be easily understood and one will sound sophisticated using it.

9:2 Repertoire

Where and When did I find this word? I found this word while reading the article "Guiding students through informational text" by Karen Wood for our 625 class.


What does it mean? The word repertoire, according to Wood means having a large stock of.
In the reading Wood says, "A viable solution to the problem of reading informational text is to give teachers a large repertoire of strategies for communicating textbook content."

Wood, K.D. (1998). Guiding students through informational texts. The Reading Teacher, 41(9), 912-920.


Level of familiarity...I am familiar with this word, but have not used it  often in conversation or in my written work.


Do I think I should know this word well, if so why? I think this is a sophisticated word that I would like to use more often in everyday conversation and in my writing pieces.


Do I think others should know this word well if so why? If one would like to sound more sophisticated or is looking to enhance ones vocabulary I think that this is a great word to use. It is simple and used often by many therefore will be easily understood and one will sound sophisticated using it.

9:1 Narrative

Where and When did I find it? I found this word while reading our textbook for 625 "Teaching reading in the content area" by Rachel Billmeyer and Mary Lee Barton

What does it mean? The word Narrative, according to Billmeyer means "writing in which a story is told; the details may be fictional or based on fact."



Billmeyer, R. & Barton, M.L. (1998). Teaching reading in the content areas: If not me then who? (2nd Ed.). Aurora, CO: Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory.


Level of familiarity... Narrative text are taught in early elementary school and therefore I am very familiar with the word narrative and its meaning. As a I have used this word many times while in the classroom. I have also done lessons involving narrative text.


Do I want to know this word well, if so why? As a teacher, specifically a literacy teacher reading is very important to me, genres of texts are also very important. Therefore I feel as though I should definitely know the word narrative and its meaning, so I can pass the meaning and genre on to my students.


Do I think others should know this word well, if so why? If one is a teacher I think it is important that one should know the meaning of the word narrative. Also even if someone is not a teacher but enjoys reading, they should also know the mean of narrative and be able to give examples of some.

8:2 Phonemic Awareness

Where and when did I find it? I read this word while reading the article "Phonemic Awareness in Spanish, Coneciencia Fonemica en Espanol," by Hallie Kay Yopp, Lilia Stapleton, for my 609 class. 
Yopp, H.K. & Stapleton,L. (2008). Conciencia Fonemica en Espanol (Phonemic Awareness in Spanish). The Reading Teacher, 61(5), 374-382.


What does it mean? From the context of the article the words Phonemic Awareness mean, the insight that the speech stream consists of individual sounds, or phonemes.


Level of Familiarity... This is a topic I am struggling with, of course I have come across this idea before as an education student but am struggling on how to teach this and how important phonemic awareness really is. I think that education students should learn earlier and more in depth about phonemic awareness. 


Do I want to know this word well if so why? It is an important topic when teaching students how to read effectively therefore I think that this is something I will want to know well especially for my 609 class!


Do I think others should know this word well if so why? Teachers, especially ones teaching young children, ELL students or struggling readers better know this topic VERY well!

8:1 Scaffolding

When and where I found it: I found this word while reading the article by Clark and Graves (2005) for our 625 class. 

What it means: Scaffolding means a process that enables a child or novice to solve a problem.

Clark K. F., & Graves, M. F. (2005). Scaffolding students' comprehension of text. The Reading Teacher, 58(6), 570-580.

Level of familiarity: Being in the field of education I have heard this word numerous times, but have never seen a full definition. I did however know what the word meant in context. 

Do I want to know this word well if so why?  I absolutely want to know this word well. It is an important strategies in the field of education that helps teachers to help their students find the main idea of a reading or help them to solve problems. It is a word used often when discussing how to help student better comprehend. 

Do I think others should know this word well if so why?  Anyone in the field of education should know this word, anyone in our 625 class should also know this word. It is important in our field and it can help our students.

**The picture I added is showing another definition of scaffolding. Means: A temporary structure for holding workers while they repair or decorate a high building, (dictionary.com).

6:1 Postulate

When and Where I found it... I found this word today while watching "The big bang theory." This is obviously my favorite show where I find a lot of my words!


What it means... The word Postulate was used in context as two characters played a made-up game when the character Amy said "We postulate an alternate world that differs from ours." In this context the word postulate means to assume without proof (dictionary.com).


Level of familiarity...  I am very unfamiliar with this word. I am sure I have heard it in the past but I have definitely never used it, written or speaking. Through the context of the show I was able to pick up the definition of the word. Without the word in context I do not think that I would have known the definition.


Do I want to know this word well if so why? The word postulate would be an interesting word to know. 

Do you think that others should know this word if so WHY? If one is involved in mathematics one may want to know this word. Also it is a good word to know to expand out vocabulary.

5:1 Consistency

When and Where I found it... I used the word consistency in conversation when talking to my cheerleaders. I said, "we need to be more consistent each time we do our routine."


What it means: There are many meanings to the word Consistency. In the contents that I used the word consistency dictionary.com gives us this definition, "steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc." 


Level of familiarity: I have used the word consistency often in my daily and professional life. Also I have used all of the definitions of consistency. 


Do I want to know this word well and why? Yes this word is important to know, it has many meanings and knowing all of the meanings are important. This is a common word in the English language and is important to know.


Do you think other should know this world well...if so WHY? The word consistency shows up often in the educational world. It has many meaning that can be used in many different areas of society. It is a common  word used often in the English language that everyone should be familiar with.

4:2 Audacity

When and Where I found it... This word is the title of President Obama's book that my boyfriend has been reading for ages, (he never finishes anything)!

What it means... Audacity means boldness or daring, confident.

Level of familiarity... I have heard the word used before but have never used it myself. I was also unsure of an exact definition.

Do I want to know this word and why? yes, i think this is a good word to know and be able to use.

Do I think others should know this word well...if so WHO and WHY? Yes, others should know this word good one to add to the vocabulary list. Also I think that it is a very sophisticated word!

4:1 Disenfranchised

When and where did I find it?  I found this word in the text book I am using for my SCAT project (Creating America; A history of the United States). The word was found in the chapter on Civil RIghts (p.822).

What it means: Disenfranchised is describing people who are deprived of the rights of citizenship, especially the right to vote.

Level of farmiliarity: I have read this word before while talking about civil rights not only in America but throughout the nation, yet it is not a word a use on a daily basis.

Do I want to know this word and why? I want to know this word to help teach my SCAT project to my students. It is an important vocabulary word when talking about the civil rights of people.

Do I think others should know this word well...if so WHO and WHY? Yes, people should know this word because it is important to know words that explain our history. They may not use this word on a day to day basis but it important to know about our countries history.

3:3 Tomfoolery

When and Where did I find it? I found this word while watch the TV show The Big Bang Theory.

What it means: Tomfoolery means being silly, being crazy, acting out.

Level of familiarity: I had never heard this word until watching The Big Bang Theory and then the next day I heard the word again for the second time!

Do I want to know this word and why? Yes, it is a hilarious word and just saying it makes me laugh. It's better than saying "your acting silly".

Do I think others should know this word well...if so WHO and WHY? Yes, it is a very funny word and describes being silly using a silly sounding word.

3:2 Ascertain

When and where did I find it? While reading a research article about a new way of teaching ELL (English Language Learners) students for my other grad class.

What it means: It means to find out definitely or be completely sure of.

Level of familiarity: I am very familiar with the word certain, yet have not encounter the word ascertain that often except in readings for school and have not to my knowlege ever used the word.

Do I want to know this word well and why? Knowing this word may be useful in different ways. When trying to tell someone how sure you are about a situation using this word may be better than just say "I'm sure". It is always important to add to your vocabulary!

Do I think other should know this word well...if so WHO and WHY? Absouletly, adding to your vocabulary and having a bank of synonyms for commonly used words is always a good thing.

3:1 Segregationist

When and Where Did I Find It: I found this word in the text book I am using for my SCAT project (Creating America, A History of the United States). The word was found in the chapter on Civil Rights (p.818-819) that I plan to do my project on.

What It Means: Segregationist were people during the Civil Rights movement that believed whites and blacks should stay segregated and worked against people who were trying to desegrate America.

Level Of Familiarity: I am farmiliar with the word segregation from studying history and the Civil Rights era. I have seen the word segregationist but have never used it in context before.

Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? As a history student I need to be able to teach my students important words from history. More importantly my SCAT project for LTED 625 is on the Civil Rights Movement and therefore I will definitely need to know this word.

Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY?: As American I would hope that we would want to know about the history of our country, even the not so great times. Segregation is a very important part of American history and know how and who faught against and for segregation is important.