Colorado Quality Standard 1: Word Walls
Students are exposed to additional vocabulary representation in science and math classrooms. These “word walls” have increased contact to academic and content vocabulary for all students, and helped English Learners specifically. These word walls are tools English Learners can use to support their science and math instruction. Each term includes a visual representation of the word, and some include the Spanish equivalent of the word. Students are able to make their own vocabulary lists, take pictures of the representations, and even help construct the word walls. Using the space in the content area classroom is one more way to increase exposure to targeted vocabulary daily.
The practice of implementing word walls in high school classrooms is beneficial for all students, and may help struggling students with their individualized needs (Element A). There is a plethora of words to learn throughout a student’s math and science careers; vocabulary development is a main focus for my students in order to understand the math or science being taught (Element C). As this practice has been implemented in all classrooms, it helps with consistency and connects a vocabulary focus throughout our classes (Element E). The support of vocabulary presentation will help all students throughout high school classrooms, and remind content teachers that students do not inherently know and understand this type of vocabulary. Additionally, many math and science vocabulary terms are Spanish cognates, which will help students connect their previous knowledge to new content (Element F).
Implementing a common vocabulary technique has been helpful in teaching technical words, but also in reminding teachers to explicitly teach this difficult vocabulary. When a student has a mental image to match the vocabulary word and a reference point that is NOT a book, they are much more supported in the content. We are currently working on vocabulary strategies as departments and hope to streamline the vocabulary process in the science and math areas. This may include using the same type of graphic organizers or note-taking format. Content teachers have all been excited about more vocabulary support, as they are content teachers and have not had training in literacy and vocabulary teaching. I look forward to continuing to support teachers in their teaching key vocabulary explicitly.
The practice of implementing word walls in high school classrooms is beneficial for all students, and may help struggling students with their individualized needs (Element A). There is a plethora of words to learn throughout a student’s math and science careers; vocabulary development is a main focus for my students in order to understand the math or science being taught (Element C). As this practice has been implemented in all classrooms, it helps with consistency and connects a vocabulary focus throughout our classes (Element E). The support of vocabulary presentation will help all students throughout high school classrooms, and remind content teachers that students do not inherently know and understand this type of vocabulary. Additionally, many math and science vocabulary terms are Spanish cognates, which will help students connect their previous knowledge to new content (Element F).
Implementing a common vocabulary technique has been helpful in teaching technical words, but also in reminding teachers to explicitly teach this difficult vocabulary. When a student has a mental image to match the vocabulary word and a reference point that is NOT a book, they are much more supported in the content. We are currently working on vocabulary strategies as departments and hope to streamline the vocabulary process in the science and math areas. This may include using the same type of graphic organizers or note-taking format. Content teachers have all been excited about more vocabulary support, as they are content teachers and have not had training in literacy and vocabulary teaching. I look forward to continuing to support teachers in their teaching key vocabulary explicitly.