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SAT/ACT Vocabulary

Study Methodology

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Questions:

• Why teach VOCABULARY?• What KINDS of words are important to

learn?• How do YOU learn new WORDS?• How does the brain LEARN, PROCESS,

and RETAIN NEW WORDS?

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Four Reasons to Teach Vocabulary:

• Verbal Intelligence• Ability to comprehend new information:

Academic Achievement• Self-confidence and self-image

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What students already know about the content is one of the strongest indicators of how well they will learn new information

relative to the content.

---Marzano

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Background knowledge:

• Academic vocabulary is synonomous with background knowledge

• Background knowledge is only useful if it is part of permanent memory

• There are only three ways to build permanent memory: repetition, diverse interactions, and depth of thought

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Three Functions of Memory

Permanent

Memory

Working

MemorySensory

Memory

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VOCABULARY

Steps:

SEE IT

SAY IT

SPELL IT

SHOW IT

SHARE IT

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Key Word StrategyBigger Idea

Key Word

Non-Examples Examples

Essential Characteristics

unicycle

two wheels, seat, steering mechanism,Chain and pedal, power source, brakes

bicycle

Transportation2 wheeler

10 speed

mountain bike

motorcycle

moped

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Key Word Strategy

CRIME

Big Idea

Key Word

Non-Examples Examples

Essential Characteristics

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Vocabulary’s CODE• Collect words. Identify the words they

need to pay attention to.• Organize words. Use classification,

comparison, and other thinking frames to organize what they know.

• Develop images for words. Use sketches, diagrams, gestures, metaphors.

• Exercise words. Apply and use in speech and writing, construct glossaries and

plans for review.

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What do you need to do?

• You must choose a study methodology, utilize it, and show your work (it must

have a paper element) to the teacher before the quiz.

1. Written Repetition - copy the word and/or its definition a number of times on paper.

2. Key Word Strategy

3. Verbal Repetition – Create Notecards

4. Visualization- Draw a picture next to the word.

5. Association – Use the words in sentences you generate.

6. Music - Write a rap or song about it.

7. Computers - Type the word and its definition into a computer.

8. Write a story about the words.

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Quizzes

• Quizzes are ALWAYS on either Wednesday or Thursday.

• All quizzes are formative and consist of 20 words.

• All definitions and sentences for quizzes come directly from the Vocabulary Cartoons.

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Tests

• After five weeks of quizzes there will be a SUMMATIVE cumulative test consisting of 50 of the 100 words.