Word Genius: Have Fun Expanding Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Skills

In this fast-paced 30-minute ongoing course, students will build their vocabulary skills by learning new words that are frequently seen in middle elementary reading and content -including content seen in math, reading, science, social studies, and music.  To provide deeper engagement and help facilitate real-world connections, students will see visual representations of these words; read these words in sentences and teacher-created stories or plays of familiar topics of relevance such as sports, holidays, good citizenship, pets, music, social studies, travel, outer space, science, nature, hobbies, games, talents, and other topics of interest.  As students study their new vocabulary, they will develop a deeper understanding of how the words can be used in various contexts.

After learning these words and their meanings, seeing a visual representation of the words, and reading how they can be used in various contexts in sentences, teacher-created stories, and/or a play using PowerPoint slides, the learners will then demonstrate their understanding of what they've learned by using their newfound vocabulary in sentences or a short story of their own, either verbally or written.  

In addition, by the learners seeing pictures related to the words and reading these words, not only in definitions, but also in stories and/or plays, it becomes easier for them to apply what they have learned and the skills that they used while learning them to areas outside of the classroom and in other environments such as at the grocery store, family outings, conversations with family and friends at outings, playdates, and other occasions.

The class is learner centered, and my style is relaxed. I strongly encourage learner participation because the knowledge is best retained by the learner when they share their ideas, listen to each other, and provide feedback, both orally and in writing.  Learner participation also provides a more stimulating and robust learning atmosphere.  Any writing that the learner does can be done in a journal or in the online chat feature.  However, a journal is highly recommended if the learner wants to keep a record of their writings, but it is not required. 

Our session topics are primarily teacher directed, but occasionally, has been learner directed, based on group conversations and topics of interest provided by the learners.  The learners will interact via discussions, PowerPoint slides, vocabulary games/quizzes in Nearpod, Kahoot, Blooket, and/or Flocabulary. No student accounts are required for those sites.