Voices from the Middle - Volume 7, Issue 4, 2000

Describes how two different middle school teachers transformed the study of vocabulary in their classrooms by engaging students’ interest in words, moving the study of vocabulary into students’ worlds through theatre and through word tickets and a student-created museum.

Describes how one middle school teacher was inspired by Janet Allen’s book, “Words, Words, Words: Teaching Vocabulary in Grades 4-12,” to significantly change the way she thought about and taught vocabulary. Describes several strategies and activities that engaged students in activating background knowledge; making meaningful connections; learning new concepts and applying them to their lives; and remembering definitions beyond the next day or week.

Describes how two eighth-grade language arts teachers ventured into the territory of vocabulary development. Describes several class activities and strategies they used to increase students’ vocabulary and to make students into enthusiastic explorers and discoverers of words.

Suggests that teachers can take advantage of children’s interest in the Pokemon game to teach worthwhile lessons about how words are developed. Shows how, by analyzing Pokemon names, kids can learn the linguistic concept of morphology.

Argues that regular homophone practice enhances vocabulary knowledge, spelling skills, pronunciation ability, and overall reading proficiency. Describes how card games played with decks of homophones helped to accomplish these things. Notes particular benefits of homophone games to ESL students, and outlines key advantages of using the games.

It is the rare person who sets out to learn to new words. Rather, people go out and have experiences and find ways to talk about them. “Vocabulary” is necessary in order for us to talk with one another. Adolescent author Joan Bauer shares personal experiences that have made “words” hold meaning for her, as well as her challenge to find just the right words to say just what she wants to say.

In order to make words matter, students mush have a passion for the words they are to learn and see a purpose for learning them. In this themed issue, “Vocabulary: Making Words Matter,” the authors emphasize what happens when we make words matter.