Examining: Robust Vocabulary Instruction is a 3 credit hour course that provides participants a research-based framework along with practical strategies for vocabulary development with children from the earliest grades through high school. Educators will learn to select words for instruction; create meaningful learning activities, and engage students in thinking about and saying new words both within and outside the classroom. Effective vocabulary instruction has been shown to will increase learning in all content areas, increase test scores, and boost grades.
*This course may be taken for either EDMA graduate credit or IA license renewal credit.
Organization
This course is presented in a modified, self-paced format. Participants are encouraged to access the course regularly and make reasonable progress, but there are no due dates attached to individual assignments. Instead there are 2 absolute due dates (mid-term and the last day of class) to provide flexibility and to better accommodate participants' busy schedules. In addition to the text, participate will read related articles, watch videos, and take part in forum discussions. Class assignments will allow students to utilize and put into practice the theory that they have learned. The instructor will provide feedback and coaching in forums and on assignments.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will...
1. Understand the rationale for teaching vocabulary
2. Know strategies for choosing and introduce vocabulary
3. Understand how vocabulary is developed in both early and later grades
4. Understand how to make the most of natural contexts
5. Know how to enrich the verbal environment
Course Topics
1. Choosing words to teach
2. How to introducing vocabulary
3. How to developing vocabulary in the early grades
4. How to developing vocabulary in the later grades
5. Using natural contexts
6. The verbal environment
Grading
Grading is the same whether the course is taken for graduate credit or for license renewal. Students are required to participate in all discussion forums and to complete all assignments and/or activities. A=90%-100%; B=80%-89%-Because this is a graduate level course, scores must be 80% or better to receive credit.
Required text: Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction, 2nd Ed. (2013) by Isabel Beck, Margaret McKeown and Linda Kucan can be purchased through local bookstores or ordered online.
*This course may be taken for either EDMA graduate credit or IA license renewal credit.
Organization
This course is presented in a modified, self-paced format. Participants are encouraged to access the course regularly and make reasonable progress, but there are no due dates attached to individual assignments. Instead there are 2 absolute due dates (mid-term and the last day of class) to provide flexibility and to better accommodate participants' busy schedules. In addition to the text, participate will read related articles, watch videos, and take part in forum discussions. Class assignments will allow students to utilize and put into practice the theory that they have learned. The instructor will provide feedback and coaching in forums and on assignments.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will...
1. Understand the rationale for teaching vocabulary
2. Know strategies for choosing and introduce vocabulary
3. Understand how vocabulary is developed in both early and later grades
4. Understand how to make the most of natural contexts
5. Know how to enrich the verbal environment
Course Topics
1. Choosing words to teach
2. How to introducing vocabulary
3. How to developing vocabulary in the early grades
4. How to developing vocabulary in the later grades
5. Using natural contexts
6. The verbal environment
Grading
Grading is the same whether the course is taken for graduate credit or for license renewal. Students are required to participate in all discussion forums and to complete all assignments and/or activities. A=90%-100%; B=80%-89%-Because this is a graduate level course, scores must be 80% or better to receive credit.
Required text: Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction, 2nd Ed. (2013) by Isabel Beck, Margaret McKeown and Linda Kucan can be purchased through local bookstores or ordered online.
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