Resources

RESOURCES  for you


 * [|MacMillan Visual and Pronunciation Dictionary] || Click on speaker icon to hear the word and also see definition ||
 * [|Frayer Model] || Link to Google Drive so that you can work collaboratively with another or on your own. Make sure you submit/save with your last name and the word: Caine__area ||
 * [|Merriam-Webster Dictionary] . || on line dictionary for definition and sentences ||
 * [|Visual Dictionary] || Shows visuals of word to see what it is, samples ||

Five Visual Dictionaries and Thesauri for Students
The right visual aids can make all the difference between students understanding a term or shrugging their shoulders. Llearning new vocabulary words and or seeing the connections between similar words can benefit from visuals. Check out these five visual dictionaries and thesauri that can help you s learn new vocabulary words. Got Brainy is a site that features two sections; Brainy Flix and Brainy Pics. Brainy Pics is comprised of images submitted by students that demonstrate the meaning of a word. Brainy Flix is comprised of short videos that illustrate the meaning of words that are submitted by students. [|Snappy Words] is a free visual dictionary and thesaurus. Enter any word or phrase into the search box to create a web of related words, phrases, and definitions. Hover your cursor over any word or phrase in the web to read its definition. Click and drag any node to explore other branches of the web. Double click on a node and it will generate new web branches. [|Image Dictionary] is a Chrome extension that enables users to right-click on a word and quickly find an image that is representative of that word. Just highlight a word on a webpage, right-click, and select "image search." The images that are shown come from Wikipedia. [|Word Sense] is one part dictionary and one part thesaurus. When you enter a word into Word Sense it will show you the definition(s) for the word as well as the connections to associated and similar words. You can see any of the definitions of the connected words by simply clicking on them to pop-up a definition. [|Visuwords] uses a web design to show users the definitions of words and the connections between words. Just type a word into the search box and Visuwords will generate a web of related words. Place your cursor over any of the words and the definition appears. Use the color-coded key to understand the connections between the words in any web  Use this to see if you can find the words that you used in your story. || As you use this site to gain vocabulary here are some other resources for you to use to gain some background and insight into why you are learning these specific words.
 * List of sites to support you as a student **
 * [|Vocabulary Spelling City] || Program used for teaching and reviewing words ||
 * Find Tool (control + f) || This will help find occurrences of a predetermined word in the text to be used.
 * Be a Detective || [[file:Get started and pick a word.docx]] ||

** Common Core Connections: Unpacking Academic Vocabulary **
Tiers of Vocabulary You may have heard of the Common Core Vocabulary Standards in the news. While there are many specific vocabulary standards clearly listed in the K-12 Language strand, it's helpful and important to look at Academic Vocabulary from the big picture view known as Shift 6. Let's look at it.

** Overview: Three Tiers of Vocabulary **
Words acquired through every day speech, usually learned in the early grades Academic words that appear across all types of text. These are often precise words that are used by the author in place of common words. (i.e. gallop instead of run). They change meaning with use. Domain specific words" that are specifically tied to content. (i.e. Constitution, lava) These are typically the types of vocabulary words that are included in glossaries, highlighted in textbooks and  address by teachers. They are considered difficult words important to understanding content.
 * ** Tier 1: **
 * ** Tier 2: **
 * ** Tier 3: **

The Common Core suggests that it's important to target specific instruction on Tier 2 and and Tier 3 vocabulary words to help you, as a student, to develop deep understanding of context.

For ideas on how to add to your vocabulary instruction.

** Articles on Tiers of Vocabulary **
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 * If you care to browse or read any just hover over and click. **

The web tools I highlight can be used in any subject and within each tier. 1. [|VisualThesaurus] is a free mind mapping vocabulary tool that takes one vocabulary word and branches out related words visually. The students can see the different parts of speech and these are color coded. If the student spells a word wrong they offer suggestions helping the student learn the vocabulary. You can have students make their own individualized tier 2 and 3 vocabulary lists to help differentiate. You can also search for word lists, such as this [|general academic vocabulary]. 2. [|Make Beliefs Comix] is a free comic strip maker that allows you too create simple free comics strips. Having the students show master of a vocabulary makes the students critically think, create and communicate their knowledge. Giving them a vocabulary word such as ‘absurd’ and having them demonstrate though making a comic. You can assess mastery without a paper and pencil vocabulary test. 3. Sketch [|Odopod] is a free web tool that you can have the students draw out their vocabulary knowledge. Having the students represent a non-linguistic approach. You don’t need to have an account unless you want to save the pictures. Here is one done on the [|elements of fiction] and on the [|water cycle]. [|Ninjawords] is a fast dictionary students told me about the other day….they love it because it gives them the definition fast. (It is an iPhone app as well) Want to learn three more web tools for shift 6 you can use in your classroom check out this blog post, [|3 Digital Tools For Common Core Academic Vocabulary by Susan Oxnevad]