Dear Parents,

As we continue to plan rigorous and engaging curriculum for your children, we will be using two approaches to vocabulary development:

1)    Curriculum-specific Vocabulary Words – As the other DVA teachers and I develop integrated units, we are selecting for emphasis vocabulary words that are central to the themes under study. Students’ mastery of these words will not be tested out of context (i.e., we will not have regular tests on spelling and definitions).  However, we will provide direct instruction on terms that address key concepts from the units; and we will assess mastery of the concepts, as demonstrated by accurate use of vocabulary. Included in this component of our vocabulary development program will be explicit instruction in word structures, origins, roots and affixes – the kinds of skills that allow students to unlock language (also the skills that are tested on the SAT).

2)    Independent Study – We think it is important that throughout the middle grades students begin to take more and more responsibility for their own learning, so we will encourage autonomous learning of self-selected vocabulary.  Your children will have the opportunity to select one of three vocabulary development programs to study independently. Perhaps initially this can be an activity that you and your child do together, but soon we hope all DVA students will embrace this opportunity to set and achieve their own goals.  You can show support for your children’s maturing work habits by encouraging them to stretch, to set challenging goals, and by celebrating the achievement of those goals.  Here at DVA we will reward students who have achieved mastery of selected vocabulary words with a party on December 16^th. More details about this event will follow. For now, please examine each of the following programs and talk to your child about participation in one of the following:

a)    Flocabulary- A modern vocabulary program built around rap songs! Don’t laugh; many students have improved their SAT score using this method.   See www.flocabulary.com.

b)    Word within a Word - A program that uses etymology, not memorization. Latin and Greek stems help students build, analyze, spell, pronounce, use and choose words. Seehttp://www.rfwp.com/series4.htm and http://www.argohs.net/departs/english/blettiere/W-W-W_vocab.htm.

c)     Wordly Wise 3000 -- Contains riddles, puzzles, hidden messages and other activities to help students build their vocabularies while strengthening reading, critical thinking and writing skills. See http://www.wordlywise3000.com.

Participation in a vocabulary program is optional, but if your child is going to be a part of this independent study, please let Mrs. Haymore know by October 25, 2009. E-mail  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it