We are proud to be the first and only accredited Montessori school on the Outschool. In our English Vocabulary class, grade 8 students will embark on a journey to deepen their understanding and mastery of language through engaging topics and activities. 


Students will build essential vocabulary skills by exploring word study through prefixes, suffixes, homophones, synonyms, and antonyms. They will also delve into analogies, context clues, domain-specific vocabulary, and effectively using reference materials like thesauruses.

Topics covered include:

Word Study:
- Prefixes and Suffixes: Understanding how affixes modify the meaning of base words.
-able and -ible Suffixes: Exploring words formed with these suffixes and their meanings.

Homophones: 
- Differentiating between words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.

Synonyms and Antonyms: 
- Identifying words with similar and opposite meanings to expand vocabulary and grasp nuances in language.

Word Choice and Usage:
- Selecting appropriate words based on context, tone, and audience.
- Using descriptive language effectively in writing and speaking to convey precise meanings and emotions.

Analogies and Context Clues:
- Analyzing relationships between words to deepen understanding and draw logical conclusions.
- Utilizing context clues within texts to infer meanings of unfamiliar words and enhance reading comprehension.

Domain-Specific Vocabulary:
- Understanding how domain-specific vocabulary enhances comprehension and communication within specific fields of study.

Reference Skills and Use of Thesaurus Entries:
- Developing proficiency in navigating reference materials like dictionaries and thesauruses.
Learning to use thesaurus entries to find synonyms and explore variations in word meanings for precise language use.


Class Structure: 

The class is structured to engage students actively in learning and applying vocabulary skills. Each topic will be introduced with clear objectives and explanations to build foundational knowledge, interactive activities where students will be engaging in activities such as word games, puzzles, and collaborative exercises to reinforce learning, and complete writing assignments and discussions where students apply newly learned vocabulary skills in context. 

My teaching method blends various instructional methods to cater to diverse learning styles. I aim to demonstrate and model by providing  examples of word usage and strategies for effective vocabulary acquisition, facilitating group activities and discussions to encourage peer interaction and shared learning, and incorporating digital tools and resources for interactive learning experiences and research.

I use a student-centered teaching style that promotes active participation, critical thinking, and self-discovery. I aim to guide my students through exploratory activities and discussions to foster independent learning, provide encouragement and support to build confidence in language skills and exploration of new vocabulary, encourage curiosity and inquiry through probing questions and opportunities for deeper exploration of words and their meanings, and encourage students to reflect on their learning and apply acquired vocabulary skills in real-world contexts.

Students will have many opportunities to interact with me through classroom discussions, small group activities, independent class work, and any time they need to interact with me during the class.