ROOM+8

**I wish to investigate**: whether the use of computers as the basis of a focus on vocabulary results in improved achievement.

As part of the Reading Programme (other opportunities throughout the curriculum may also arise from time to time) emphasis will be made to foster an interest by the students to identify unknown or interesting vocabulary. At first this will be modeled by the teacher to motivate the children to actively engage in their own inquiry, eg asking the teacher/others in reading group, hopefully sparking their own interest to inquire further. Students will initially use comic life/i-movie/i-photo to create a page that shows their interest and understanding of unknown vocabulary through searching the internet for images, written meanings, derivatives and synonyms. These pages will be published to create a class book to share.

// **Use of data: to see if this programme has made a difference.** //

// A. A monthly test will be given to all the class based on the words presented.//

// B. //Indirect //results of focus on particular words during the Reading lesson//

//**1** . Heath will observe students during guided reading to see if they exhibit a desire to find out the meaning of unknown words. ie A simple tally will be kept. //

//**2** . Teachers will note how willing and able children are to “Think aloud” as they determine the meaning of new words both when reading and being read to. //

//**3** . Teachers will use a new annotation in their marking to highlight appropriate use of “ rich” vocabulary. // // Students will become increasingly aware of the value of using rich vocabulary and frequency of desired behaviour will increase. //

Observation Week 2 : Chn are showing much more interest in vocabulary and are showing more willingness to ask the meaning of unknown words that crop up during the day.

Observation Week 3 : Interest in vocabulary continuing even to the point chn’s enthusiasm has to be gently curbed at times as too many interruptions interrupt flow of story. Chn enjoy the opportunity to use ‘new’ language for themselves especially in oral language.

Observation week 5 However I am not sure that this interest is directly related to the use of commuters as their interest is evident when we have no computer pods in classroom. Chn seem happy to look up dictionaries and add to class list just as well as using the computer. Maybe this can in fact be quicker and involve the whole class. The question is- Will they remember these words as well?

Week 7 test results. All children achieved 7/10 and above

Observation Week 9 Many children chose to share their work on vocab with their parents during the 3 way conferences. They showed enthusiasm for unusual or humourous words and were able to show a good understanding of many 'new words'

Term 3 Week 9 I have lost the momentum to to continue getting the chn to make vocabulary glosses using the computer, due to their use for mainly topic work. However the overall momentum of the students to discuss, 'look up' via both conventional as well as online dictionaries is still continuing. A reading group has been reading 'Desperaeux' during the first half of the term and have been very motivated to find definitions of unknown and unusual, foreign words. Most have added these to a class display to share with the rest of the class. Two students were more motivated to read the story intently and without interruption. They already have a high PAT vocab score. This system has proved to be more immediate for the students as they do not have to wait for the roster of computers to the class. It could be probable though, that they would choose the computer if available. Some class members have been doing SRA for reading which have a vocabulary section. They have noted, through class reflection, that they are now better able to successfully complete this section. Overall I continue to see a heightened awareness and interest of vocabulary across the curriculum from the majority of students. The children regularly ask about unknown words in a variety of situations, showing a genuine interest.

It is to be noted that this is based mainly on Teacher Observation as I have not managed to do set word tests this term as originally planned.

TERM 4 WK 1 After a class discussion to gauge the students attitude to finding the meanings of unknown vocabulary most remained positive and felt it helped with their understanding in reading. The class also discussed the varying ways of finding out new vocab, most students saying they enjoyed a variety, five especially liked using the computers and three didn't know. A few students said they talked about their 'new vocab' with parents. We also noted that as a class we were not concentrating on this task as much. I asked them what this meant to them and some students felt that they were once again forgetting to ask about or find out about unknown words when reading on their own. We agreed as a class to try using the computer more and to make sure our display board was in full view.


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