Bev I think it might unmuddy things a bit is to think of it this way: If we teach those big words to ELLs and anyone else, in an appropriate way...ie with direct experiences...with visuals...with repetitions...with time to practice using the words in oral language through opportunities to turn and talk rather than fill in a vocab worksheet...then I think teaching the sophisticated vocab pays off. It is just making sure that we do vocab in authentic ways. It is keeping the expectations AND the support high that makes this kind of vocab teaching appropriate. The fun of learning big words is that it often feeds a drive for kids to want to learn more of them. Just listen to my below level readers in third grade going around and using "fervent" and using it appropriately! They show off! They want more words like it! In the end, I think that only helps those kids move forward. In a message dated 6/3/2008 12:13:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I would love to hear this conversation develop. Please keep thinking and posting, Lori and Carol. I'll throw a few of my biases into the mix here. The trouble with populations such as Carol's (Hispanic LEP, ELL, whatever) and Lori's (Native American, LEP) and "language instruction" a la NCLB/Reading First/CR/RM/OC, etcetera is that EXPLAINING WORDS WITH MORE WORDS is just never going to do it for the very kids that may be at highest risk. They will remain kids without any true understanding of the vocabulary, therefore unable to use the language of power such as Lori is talking about, consequently ready to be marginalized or oppressed. "Big words" peppered in do not an understanding of register, or any other more powerful language usage, make. **************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4?&NCID=aolfod00030000000002) _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
