Ms. Witcher and I co-taught word mapping to a group of 8th grade intervention students. This was a group of 15 students who were below grade level on their last end of grade test and receive intervention services five days per week.
The students responded positively to the lesson and were engaged with mapping the words. We began with the sample provided in the word mapping manual and then allowed students to work in partners to map social studies terms from their current unit.
The words that we chose (absolutism, democracy, oligarchy) were good examples to start with because the words mapped easily and students could see the benefit of learning the skill.
The biggest challenge we faced was students who wanted to work ahead and not follow the steps in order. They also resisted looking up ("checking") their predicted definition. The Smartboard also froze twice, forcing us to walk around and do more one-on-one instruction.
If we taught the lesson again, or if Ms. Witcher taught it again independently, we would make sure it was earlier in the year. This was a very effective vocabulary strategy for our ELL students and we feel that they could have benefited from more practice throughout the year.
The students responded positively to the lesson and were engaged with mapping the words. We began with the sample provided in the word mapping manual and then allowed students to work in partners to map social studies terms from their current unit.
The words that we chose (absolutism, democracy, oligarchy) were good examples to start with because the words mapped easily and students could see the benefit of learning the skill.
The biggest challenge we faced was students who wanted to work ahead and not follow the steps in order. They also resisted looking up ("checking") their predicted definition. The Smartboard also froze twice, forcing us to walk around and do more one-on-one instruction.
If we taught the lesson again, or if Ms. Witcher taught it again independently, we would make sure it was earlier in the year. This was a very effective vocabulary strategy for our ELL students and we feel that they could have benefited from more practice throughout the year.
