Wordsalive

Wordsalive, a vocabulary acquisition model combines researched-based strategies, many of which are utilized by Virginia teachers, into a student-friendly graphic organizer. It is appropriate for vocabulary instruction in any content area and for learners in graders five through nine.

Wordsalive is based on the research of Kameenui and Baumann who explain that when learning new words students must move from association with one narrow meaning or context of a word, through comprehension in much broader and deeper ways. The comprehension stage may involve finding generalizations, categories, antonyms, and examples of the new word, in other words, acquiring real and personal understanding of vocabulary. Only after moving through these first two stages is the vocabulary learner finally able to generate novel and unique responses.

Attached are four files with which Virginia’s teachers can help students move from association, through comprehension, and arrive at generation.

• The PowerPoint presentation, useful for teacher training
• Blackline masters for student use
• Bibliography
• Text to accompany the culminating activity in the training presentation

If you have questions or comments, please contact Catherine Rosenbaum, Specialist, reading and language arts, Office of Middle Instructional Services, crosenba@mail.vak12ed.edu or 804 225 2665.