This course highlights graphic organizers that increase students' vocabulary growth and makes it easy for teachers to include vocabulary development in their daily instruction. Participants leave knowing how to use graphic organizers that support the three principles that contribute to the deep understanding of vocabulary: word integration, repetition, and meaningful usage.

Duration: 4 weeks
Inservice: 20 points
Audience: Instructional Grades K-5
Access to Students: Yes

Syllabus

Week 1: Research
Week 2: Word Web, Word Map, Word Sorter
Week 3: Word Wheel, Four Square, Same and Opposite
Week 4: Word-O-Meter, Sentence Maker

Specific Objectives

Participants will:

• apply strategies for various graphic organizers to their content area
• modify graphic organizers to meet student abilities and levels
• recognize the importance of the three principles that contribute to deep understanding of vocabulary words (integration, repetition, and meaningful usage)

Implementation

Evidence that course content has been transferred to daily instruction might include:

• increased student awareness and acquisition of vocabulary
• increased student awareness and use of using graphic organizers
• increased reading comprehension

Materials

In order to complete this course, we recommend you to obtain a copy of the required materials:

Elements for Reading Posters (Set of 8)

Inservice

• complete all assignments
• participate each week in the Discussion Area
• score at least 80% or higher on post test

To receive the inservice points, all course requirements must be completed independently by the participant and not plagiarized from any other source or person.

Prerequisites

Participants must possess the following computer skills and software to participate in this course:

• an understanding of your computer’s operating system and software
• the ability to access the Internet and knowledge of Internet search techniques
• the ability to download and install files from the Internet
• an up-to-date antivirus software package