Vocabulary Goal

Over the past few weeks, my students have been continually working with their vocabulary on a weekly basis. This is the first year where I have implemented a researched base strategy/idea for working with vocabulary words. Students worked with words using a 4-square word map in which they did a few different things with their words. First, students would write the word and the definition. Then in any order they would need to use the word in a sentence, draw a picture of the word - a visual (what it is or looks like to them), and give some examples of the word. In addition to this it is important for students to be able to identify the word parts of the word. With our themed vocabulary, usually 7-9 words per month, we focus on saying the word and trying to identify the syllables and word parts.
I took this idea from a class I took this past summer called Reaching Young Readers. It discussed the importance of using a 4-square vocabulary map with students. I was surprised to see that LEAD 21 had it as a part of their curriculum. Once again, we started the school year completing these together but now students are completing them independently and then discussing their words with a partner.
Not only do students have a chance to write these words but they also have the opportunity to work with their differentiated vocabulary words using LEAD 21's website. Here students can play a few different activities to work with their differentiated vocabulary words. I do like it but we do not have much time to work with the site in the classroom. Usually with these words, students are also responsible to be able to use these words in sentences, find the definition by looking in a dictionary or glossary, and be able to identify antonyms/synonyms with their words.
Our last unit assessment showed students scoring at 87% correct in regards to the vocabulary section.  We have made nice progress this past year as they started with 57% of their words correct and have scored fairly well the past four units. In the next week we will be completing another end of the unit assessment. How will students do on the next vocabulary portion of the assessment? We will find out next week.