MrsB_English

When asking a student why she’s struggling to complete homework she told me “I’ve got so much to do I just can’t mentally bring myself to look at the list” and I’ve never related to anything more in my life. 🤷‍♀️

Some brilliant ideas here- I’m going to collate them and I will share that doc. Please do let me know ASAP of any other strategies you use to improve vocabulary of your students!

@English_MrsB We also take different types of weather and develop descriptions of each. One of them will be useful in the summer exam.

@English_MrsB Use the dictate function on OneNote. Read aloud an extract/article/lyrics etc. Share the dictation on whiteboard. Students work to enhance the vocabulary. Select students to dictate again, comparing the difference between dictations in tone, formality etc.

@jennife03879567 No, not meaning technical terms or subject terminology. I’m talking literal vocabulary for both analytical and creative writing. In general, vocab seems basic.

@English_MrsB With writing stimulus in front of them, we generate 8-10 words before we start writing. Verbs/adverbs/adjectives but also interesting imagery/phrases. There's a great website ... and io one that let's you put in an idea, eg. Eyes and generates phrases which we play with.

@English_MrsB Structured debate using formal rules - points of order, opcount downs etc. With extra marks awarded for vocabulary. Mine used to do a debate on a key exam text one lesson and then smash a mock question the next.

@English_MrsB I have started introducing stimulus specific vocabulary, with definitions for every extended piece of writing. I then get them to underline where they’ve used that word in their work. Need to work on the testing them on it at a later date, though…

@English_MrsB We do word of the lesson (with some groups words are repeated) - this involves 1. I say you say 2. student friendly definition 3. whiteboards to identify examples/non examples

@English_MrsB Deep discussion and encourage opinions… oracy framework, interactive exploration of language

@jennife03879567 Ah sorry- just realised I’d already replied to you! 🤦🏼‍♀️😀

@jennife03879567 Not referring to subject term / labelling (I’m an examiner too- I know labelling is NOT the way!) but referring to general vocabulary use. Trying to get students to improve on basic terms when describing characters, situations, emotions, etc.

Our Year 11 desperately need to improve their vocabulary before their English Language and Literature exams. How can we do this quickly, effectively and relatively pain free?! Drop your ideas below 👇 🙏

@English_MrsB Word Aware programme.

@English_MrsB Read and even if that text is read out load and repeat - give the students ability to soled up or slow down , pause - rewind etc

@English_MrsB Depends on what vocabulary you mean? Technical terms don’t necessarily score points. Understanding effects and explaining them in simple terms can be much more effective.

@English_MrsB Give them a set of 5-10 amazing vocab -along with definitions-that you want them to know& use, & get them to write a descriptive paragraph using them all.I also find that pair & team writing really helps with this too.Then more they use them,the more likely they are to remember.

@English_MrsB Weekly Blooket homework with vocab quizzes, do now quizzes interleaving different vocab, redrafting deficient models with better vocab etc

@English_MrsB Read an article with great vocab - get them to ‘magpie’ 5 words they liked and write them down. They’ll start to pop up in their writing. Come back to the same activity at least once to consolidate.

@English_MrsB Actively teach a selection as Do-Nows using the Frayer model. Wider reading as homework with a task which is to choose vocabulary they don't know from it (I have a booklet) and find out what it is. Modelling high level vocabulary, activities involving switching out 'bad' vocab.