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	<title>Pennington Publishing Blog &#187; syllables</title>
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	<link>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog</link>
	<description>Teaching resources to differentiate instruction.</description>
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		<title>Why Vocabulary Word Lists Don’t Work</title>
		<link>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/why-vocabulary-word-lists-don%e2%80%99t-work/</link>
		<comments>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/why-vocabulary-word-lists-don%e2%80%99t-work/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Aug 2011 02:38:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Pennington</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spelling/Vocabulary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[context clues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greek and Latin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prefixes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAT words]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[suffixes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vocabulary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vocabulary word lists]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=2399</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Teaching vocabulary word lists does not work. The strategy of giving twenty words on Monday and testing on Friday is both inefficient and ineffective. However, three instructional strategies do make sense to help students improve their vocabularies.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Most of us would agree with reading researchers that vocabulary development is critically important to improving reading comprehension (e.g., Anderson &amp; Freebody, 1981; Baumann, Kame‘enui, &amp; Ash, 2003). <strong>However, not all vocabulary instruction is effective or efficient.</strong></p>
<h5><span style="color: #800000;">The Weekly Vocabulary Word List</span></h5>
<p>In many classrooms the predominant means of vocabulary instruction is weekly vocabulary word list. Pass it out on Monday; have students look up and write down definitions, make flashcards, do a crossword puzzle, do a word sort, write context clue sentences, etc. Then test on Friday. <strong>The problem is that this approach does not work.</strong> It’s ineffective and inefficient.</p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>It’s ineffective.</strong></span></p>
<p>Students memorize the list for the Friday test and forget half of them by the next week. “Rote memorization of words and definitions is the least effective instructional method resulting in little long-term effect (Kameenui, Dixon, Carine 1987).”</p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>It’s inefficient.</strong></span></p>
<p>Even if students were to remember all of the, say 20 words, on the weekly vocabulary word list for the entire school year, they would only have mastered 600 words. But, the American lexicon is over 800,000 words. The SAT® word bank is over 30,000. 600 words won’t make a dent in those numbers.</p>
<p>According to reading research, students need to learn 3,000 new words per year just to make year-to-year grade level progress (Honig 1983). So learning only 600 words is a very small drop in a very big bucket. But it is a bucket we desperately need to fill-especially for educationally disadvantaged students, whose “word poverty” (Louisa C. Moats) dooms them to the “Matthew Effect” (Keith Stanovich) in which the poorer tend to get poorer.</p>
<p>To teach students 3,000 words a year, students would have to learn 17 words each school <em>day</em><em> </em>(3,000 words over 178 school days). However, classroom intervention studies suggest that only 8 to 10 words can be retained through direct instruction in one week (Stahl &amp; Fairbanks, 1986). That works out to about 300 words per year-hardly enough.</p>
<p>So, if vocabulary word lists are ineffective and inefficient. What does work to teach those 3,000 words per year?</p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Three Effective and Efficient Methods of Vocabulary Instruction</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>1. Independent Reading</strong></p>
<p>Let’s use Luis as our example. Reading 30 minutes per day for <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/independent-reading-homework/">homework</a> at a rate of 200 words per minute, for a total of 132 days (4 days per week in a typical school year), means that Luis would be exposed to 792,000 words (30 x 200 x 132). If Luis reads text at the recommended 5% unknown words* level of <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-select-books-for-independent-reading/">word recognition</a> recommended by reading researchers (Stahl, 1999), this means that he would be exposed to 39,600 unfamiliar words per year (792,000 x .05). Because students learn between 5 and 10 percent of previously unknown words in a single reading (Stahl, 1999), Luis will have learned between 1,980 and 3,960 new words at home! Not to mention reading in class.</p>
<p>*That 5% unknown words level is critically important. If students read texts below their current reading levels, even lots of reading won’t result in measurable vocabulary growth (Carver, 1994).</p>
<p><strong>2. Greek and Latin Word Parts</strong></p>
<p>Reading researchers suggest that learning <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-prefixes-roots-and-suffixes/">Greek and Latin</a> word parts is an effective and efficient method for acquiring vocabulary (e.g., Anglin, 1993; Biemiller &amp; Slonim, 2001). Over 50% of all academic vocabulary contains one or more Greek or Latin prefix, root, or suffix. Unlike memorizing vocabulary word lists, memorizing word parts produces enormous pay-offs because one prefix, root, or suffix may be a component of hundreds of words. Learning these word families provides significant utility for the reader, especially those word parts with the highest utility.</p>
<p>Just 9 prefixes constitute 75% of words with prefixes (White, Sowell, &amp; Yanigihara, 1989). Comprehensive frequency studies have not been completed on roots; however, there is general consensus as to utility of a few hundred roots. There is less agreement on the value of teaching suffixes. Suffixes can often have vague meanings such as “the state of”; suffixes are often merely inflectional forms; they also tend to vary spellings. However, some study of suffixes that have specific meanings is certainly warranted. Check out a great list of Greek and Latin word parts for instruction <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/how-to-improve-your-vocabulary/">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>3. Tier One, Two, and Three Words (Beck et al., 2002)</strong></p>
<p>Some words do not need to be taught. Tier One Words are high utility words that will become part of a student’s lexicon incidentally through oral language or reading. Tier Three Words are rare, specific-to-the-subject words that can sometimes be learned through effective application of <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-double-vocabulary-acquisition-from-reading-part-iii/">context clues</a>.</p>
<p>But some words do need to be taught. When reading a literature selection, certain words that are important to building comprehension or understanding of the text are essential to learn, especially if these words are used in a variety of forms, in other contexts or subjects of study, or are precise uses of generally-understood concepts. These are Tier Two Words.</p>
<p>For example, examine this sentence: <span style="color: #0000ff;">The happy child was fortunate to have such a sunny disposition.</span></p>
<p><strong>Tier One Words:</strong> <em>happy</em>, <em>child</em>, <em>sunny</em></p>
<p><strong>Tier Two Word:</strong> <em>fortunate</em></p>
<p><strong>Tier Three Word:</strong> <em>disposition</em></p>
<p>The approach would be to assume that the reader knows the Tier One Words and leave the reader to use context clues to derive a basic understanding of the Tier Three Word. The Tier Two Word would be the word that deserves the instructional attention.<a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/TRS.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2401" title="TRS" src="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/TRS-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Mark Pennington, MA Reading Specialist, is the author of the comprehensive reading intervention curriculum, </strong><em><strong><a href="http://www.penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=21">Teaching Reading Strategies</a></strong><strong>. </strong></em><strong>Designed to significantly increase the reading abilities of students ages eight through adult within one year, the curriculum is decidedly un-canned, adaptable to various instructional settings, and simple to use—a perfect choice for Response to Intervention tiered instructional levels. Get multiple choice reading assessments, blending and syllabication activities, phonemic awareness and phonics workshops, comprehension worksheets, multi-level fluency passages, 390 flashcards, posters, activities, and games. </strong><strong>Everything teachers need to teach a diagnostically-based reading intervention program for struggling readers at all reading levels is found in this comprehensive curriculum. Ideal for ESL and Special Education students, who struggle with language/auditory processing challenges. 364 pages</strong><em><strong></strong></em></p>
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		<title>Ten English Accent Rules</title>
		<link>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/ten-english-accent-rules/</link>
		<comments>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/ten-english-accent-rules/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:03:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Pennington</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spelling/Vocabulary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accent rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affixes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[English accents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[morphemes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prefix]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[schwa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spelling rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[suffix]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllabication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllabication rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllable rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllables]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1403</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Ten English Accent Rules are important to understand and apply to be able to correctly pronounce and spell English words.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>The </strong><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Ten English Accent Rule</strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>s</strong></span><strong> are important to understand and apply to be able to correctly pronounce and spell English words.</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #1:</strong> Each word with two or more syllables has one syllable whose vowel is accented. For example, <em>for-gét</em>. Accents are very important to spelling rules. <em>Accented </em>means that the sound of that vowel is stressed, or louder, than those in other syllables.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #2: </strong>A long word may have more than one accent. The vowel that is stressed more or most is called the <em>primary accent</em>. The primary accent is key to many of the spelling rules. A second accented vowel is called the <em>secondary </em>accent.  For example, <em>cón-ver-s</em><em>á</em><em>-tion</em>.<em> </em>Very long words can have even more stressed vowel sounds, but only one primary accent.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #3:</strong> The primary accent is usually on the root before a double consonant. For example, <em>for-gét-ting</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #4:</strong> Unaccented vowel sounds frequently have the soft /uh/ schwa sound, especially when there is only one letter in the syllable. All vowels can have the schwa sound. For example, the <em>a</em> in <em>a-boút</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #5:</strong> The primary accent is usually on the first syllable in two-syllable words. For example, <em>páy-ment</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #6:</strong> The primary accent is usually on the second syllable of two-syllable words that have a prefix in the first syllable and a root in the second syllable. For example, <em>dis-tráct</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #7:</strong> For two-syllable words that act as both nouns and verbs, the primary accent is usually on the prefix (first syllable) of the noun and on the root (second syllable) of the verb. For example, <em>pró-duce </em>as a noun; <em>pro-dúce</em> as a verb.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #8:</strong> The primary accent is usually on the first syllable in three-syllable words, if that syllable is a root. For example, <em>chár-ac-ter</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #9: </strong>The primary accent is usually on the second  syllable in three-syllable words that are formed by a prefix-root-suffix. For example, <em>in-vést-ment</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Accent Rule #10:</strong> The primary accent is usually on the second  syllable in four-syllable words. For example, <em>in-tél-li-gent</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Mark Pennington, MA Reading Specialist, is the author of the comprehensive reading intervention curriculum, </strong><a href="http://www.penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=21"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Teaching Reading Strategies</span></em></strong></a><strong>. Designed to significantly increase the reading abilities of students ages eight through adult within one year, the curriculum is decidedly un-canned, adaptable to various instructional settings, and simple to use. Get </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/assessments.php"><strong>multiple choice reading assessments </strong></a><strong>on two CDs, formative assessments, </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-do-sound-by-sound-spelling-blending/"><strong>blending</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-top-ten-syllable-rules/"><strong>syllabication activities</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/should-we-teach-phonemic-awareness-to-remedial-readers/"><strong>phonemic awareness</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/top-ten-reasons-to-teach-phonics/"><strong>phonics</strong></a><strong>workshops, </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-increase-reading-comprehension-using-the-scrip-comprehension-strategies/"><strong>comprehension</strong></a><strong> worksheets, multi-level </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-differentiate-reading-fluency-practice/"><strong>fluency</strong></a><strong> passages on eight CDs, 390 flashcards, posters, activities, and games. Everything teachers need to teach a diagnostically-based reading intervention program for struggling readers at all reading levels is found in this comprehensive curriculum. Perfect for ESL and Special Education students, who struggle with language/auditory processing challenges. Simple directions and well-crafted activities truly make this an almost no-prep curriculum. Works well as a half-year intensive program or full-year program, with or without paraprofessional assistance.</strong></p>
<p><strong>For individual sound-spelling worksheets that correspond with the comprehensive </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/assessments.php"><strong>TSV Spelling Assessment</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/the-eight-great-spelling-rules/"><strong>spelling rules</strong></a><strong> with memorable raps and </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/the-i-before-e-spelling-rule/"><strong>songs</strong></a><strong> on CD, spelling tests, </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-the-most-efficient-word-parts-part-v/"><strong>Greek and Latin affixes/roots</strong></a><strong> worksheets, </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-top-ten-syllable-rules/"><strong>syllable</strong></a><strong> practice, </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/vowel-team-spelling-games/"><strong>spelling games</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/vocabulary-review-games/"><strong>vocabulary games</strong></a><strong>, and more to </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/how-to-differentiate-spelling-and-vocabulary-instruction/"><strong>differentiate spelling and vocabulary instruction</strong></a><strong>, please check out </strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=1"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em>Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary</em></span></strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Twenty Advanced Syllable Rules</title>
		<link>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/twenty-advanced-syllable-rules/</link>
		<comments>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/twenty-advanced-syllable-rules/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 02:47:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Pennington</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spelling/Vocabulary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accent rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affixes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[base words]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to teach syllables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inflections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[morphemes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prefixes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spelling rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[suffixes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllabication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllabication techniques]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllable division]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[word parts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1401</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Twenty Advanced Syllable Rules are critical to accurate pronunciation, decoding, and spelling. Knowing the patterns of affixes and roots will also facilitate vocabulary acquisition. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>The <span style="color: #000000;">Twenty Advanced Syllable Rules</span> are critical to accurate pronunciation, decoding, and spelling. Knowing the patterns of affixes and roots will also facilitate vocabulary acquisition. </strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #1:</strong> Every syllable has a vowel. The common vowels are <em>a</em>, <em>e</em>,<em> i</em>, <em>o</em>, and <em>u</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #2:</strong> When the vowel is not at the end of a syllable, it has a short sound. The Vowel-Consonant (VC) and Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) patterns are called <em>closed syllables</em>. For example, <em>bas-ket </em>is a CVC-CVC word with the short vowels <em>ă</em> and <em>ě</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #3:</strong> When the vowel is at the end of a syllable, it has a long sound. The Consonant-Vowel (CV) and Consonant-Consonant-Vowel (CCV) patterns are called <em>open syllables</em>. For example, <em>be-low </em>is a VC-VC word with the long vowels <em>ā</em> and <em>ō</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #4: </strong>Vowel digraphs are paired vowels that have only one vowel sound. Usually the first vowel indicates the sound of the vowel digraph. For example, in the word <em>boat</em>, the vowel digraph is “oa” and the sound is /ō/. Usually keep vowel digraphs in the same syllable.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #5:</strong> Base words are roots that form complete words. A root is the meaning-based syllable that may or may not connect to prefixes or suffixes. Usually keep the original spelling of the base word when connecting to prefixes and suffixes. For example, <em>kick </em>in <em>kicking</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #6: </strong>Compound words consist of two or three base words (roots that form complete words). Usually keep the original spellings of the base words in compound words. The spelling rules do not change the spelling of the base words. For example, <em>bridesmaid</em>.<em> </em><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #7: </strong>An incomplete root is the meaning-based syllable that connects to prefixes and/or suffixes. Unlike a base word, the incomplete root is not a complete word. Both ending vowels and consonants can change when connecting to other roots and suffixes. Sometimes a vowel or consonant is either added or dropped. For example, <em>vis </em>in <em>visible</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #8: </strong>Keep the silent final “e” and the vowel before in the same syllable. The silent final “e” makes the vowel before a long sound if there is only one consonant in between the vowel and the “e”. For example, <em>basement</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #9: </strong>Vowel diphthongs are paired vowels that have two vowel sounds. For example, “au” in <em>sauces</em>.<em> </em>Like vowel digraphs, they stay in the same syllable.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #10: </strong>Prefixes are meaningful word parts attached to the beginnings of words. More than one prefix can begin a word. For example, <em>mis </em>and <em>under </em>in <em>misunderstand</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #11: </strong>Suffixes are word parts attached to the endings of words. They can add meaning to the word or indicate a part of speech. More than one suffix can end a word. For example, <em>on </em>and <em>al</em> in <em>seasonal</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #12:</strong> Consonant digraphs, such as <em>sh</em>, and consonant <em> </em>blends, such as <em>str</em>, stay in the same syllable. For example, <em>shallow</em> and <em>straighten</em>.<em> </em>The /sh/ consonant digraph frequently changes to another consonant sound between different grammatical forms of the same root. For example, /sh/ to /k/ in <em>musician</em> and <em>magic</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #13:</strong> Keep the <em>r</em>-controlled vowels (ar, er, ir, or, and ur) in the same syllable. For example, <em>er-ror</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #14:</strong> Divide syllables between doubled consonants, for example <em>for-gét-ting</em>, unless the doubled consonant is part of a syllable included in a base word, for example <span style="font-size: 12.7315px;"><em>ful-fill-ment</em>.</span></p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #15: </strong>Some short vowel sounds change to the soft /uh/ schwa sound with a different grammatical form of the same word. For example, in <em>cónduct </em>and <em>conductor</em> the “o” changes from a short vowel to a schwa.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #16:</strong> Some long vowel sounds change to the soft /uh/ schwa sound with a different grammatical form of the same word. For example, in <em>repeat </em>and <em>repetition </em>the “e” changes from a long vowel to a schwa.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #17: </strong>Some long vowel sounds change to the short vowel sound with a different grammatical form of the same word. For example, in <em>nation </em>and <em>national </em>the “a” changes from a long vowel to a short vowel.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #18: </strong>Some silent consonants are pronounced when connected to different grammatical forms of the same root. For example, <em>numb </em>and <em>number</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Syllable Rule #19: </strong>Many Greek and Latin prefixes change their spellings to match the roots to which they attach in order to make pronunciation easier. For example, <em>in </em>and <em>mobile </em>becomes <em>immobile</em>.<em> </em>These “chameleons” can change either their consonant or vowel spellings.</p>
<p><strong> Syllable Rule #20:</strong> Many Greek and Latin suffixes are <em>morphemes</em>, which means that the word part is meaningful. For example, <em>viewable</em>. Other suffixes serve as <em>inflections</em>, which means that the suffix helps change the part of speech, but does not add meaning to the word.<em> </em>For example, <em>started</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Mark Pennington, MA Reading Specialist, is the author of the comprehensive reading intervention curriculum, </strong><em><strong><a href="http://www.penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=21">Teaching Reading Strategies</a></strong><strong>. </strong></em><strong>Designed to significantly increase the reading abilities of students ages eight through adult within one year, the curriculum is decidedly un-canned, adaptable to various instructional settings, and simple to use. Get <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/assessments.php">multiple choice reading assessments </a>on two CDs, formative assessments, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-do-sound-by-sound-spelling-blending/">blending</a></strong><strong> </strong><strong>and <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-top-ten-syllable-rules/">syllabication activities</a>, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/should-we-teach-phonemic-awareness-to-remedial-readers/">phonemic awareness</a></strong><strong> </strong><strong>and <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/top-ten-reasons-to-teach-phonics/">phonics</a></strong><strong> </strong><strong>workshops,</strong><strong> </strong><strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-increase-reading-comprehension-using-the-scrip-comprehension-strategies/">comprehension</a></strong><strong> </strong><strong>worksheets, multi-level <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-differentiate-reading-fluency-practice/">fluency</a></strong><strong> </strong><strong>passages on eight CDs, 390 flashcards, posters, activities, and games. Everything teachers need to teach a diagnostically-based reading intervention program for struggling readers at all reading levels is found in this comprehensive curriculum. Perfect for ESL and Special Education students, who struggle with language/auditory processing challenges. Simple directions and well-crafted activities truly make this an almost no-prep curriculum. Works well as a half-year intensive program or full-year program, with or without paraprofessional assistance. </strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>For individual sound-spelling worksheets that correspond with the comprehensive <strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/assessments.php">TSV Spelling Assessment</a></strong>, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/the-eight-great-spelling-rules/">spelling rules</a> with memorable raps and <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/the-i-before-e-spelling-rule/">songs</a> on CD, spelling tests, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-the-most-efficient-word-parts-part-v/">Greek and Latin affixes/roots</a> worksheets, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-top-ten-syllable-rules/">syllable</a> practice, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/vowel-team-spelling-games/">spelling games</a>, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/vocabulary-review-games/">vocabulary games</a>, and more to <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/how-to-differentiate-spelling-and-vocabulary-instruction/">differentiate spelling and vocabulary instruction</a>, please check out <strong><em><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=1">Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary</a></em></strong>.<br />
</strong></p>
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		<title>How to Teach Syllabication: The Syllable Rules</title>
		<link>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-syllabication-the-syllable-rules/</link>
		<comments>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-syllabication-the-syllable-rules/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:30:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Pennington</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spelling/Vocabulary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to teach syllabication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to teach syllables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to teach word parts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[morphemes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[open and closed syllables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sight syllables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllabication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllabication techniques]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllable rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllable transformations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transformations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transformers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=972</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How to Teach Syllabication: The Syllable Rules is a three-minute whole-class instructional strategy that teaches students to properly pronounce and spell all of the phonetic sound-spelling and syllable patterns.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As beginning readers begin to recognize the connection between speech sounds and letters (phonemic awareness), use the <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-the-alphabet/">alphabetic code</a> to begin sounding out and <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-do-sound-by-sound-spelling-blending/">blending letter sounds</a> (<a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/top-ten-reasons-to-teach-phonics/">phonics</a>), and write down the letters to represent those sounds (<a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/ten-components-of-a-successful-spelling-program/">spelling</a>), they also begin to recognize certain patterns in single-syllable words.</p>
<p>Precocious Paula notices that some sounds are used more than others: long and short vowels more than consonants. In fact, Paula observes that the teacher always writes the letters representing these sounds in different colors than the consonants.  She also sees that the <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/sound-spelling%20cards.pdf">charts</a> on the walls have these same colors. Bonus-year Bobby notices that every word that his teacher writes has at least one of those vowel spellings. Already-reading Alma may even ask why one vowel sound can have more than one spelling. Conforming Carl may be upset that you won’t let him sound out the teacher&#8217;s list of <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-sight-words/">Outlaw Words</a> (non-phonetic sight words).</p>
<p>In other words, through implicit or explicit instruction/practice, children will begin to develop recognition of syllable patterns. As more complex stories and advanced instruction layer in multi-syllabic words, most students identify these syllable patterns and apply this knowledge in their reading and writing. About 80% of students at the end of third grade can readily identify syllables and use this knowledge to guide their reading and writing (of course a higher percentage in some schools and a lower percentage in others).</p>
<p>Multi-syllabic decoding (phonics) and encoding (spelling) are the keys to the kingdoms of <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-and-why-to-teach-fluency/">reading fluency</a> and <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/how-to-improve-your-vocabulary/">academic vocabulary</a>. Reading multi-syllabic words is also a fundamental skill required for the new genres of reading that most students begin in 4th grade: their expository history and science texts.</p>
<p>The 80% require practice and refinement of skills to develop automaticity in <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=21">reading</a> and <a href="http://www.penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?books=4&amp;jump=4">writing</a>. The 20% require differentiated instruction: some on basic <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/should-we-teach-phonemic-awareness-to-remedial-readers/">phonemic awareness</a>, some on the decoding, some on the encoding, some on common sight words. Following is an instructional strategy that will scratch both the 80% and 20% itches. The scratch will provide permanent relief to the former, but only temporary relief to the latter; however, instructional strategies that accomplish both at the same time and certainly worth using.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Spelling Transformers Syllabication Strategy <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Sample-Attachment.pdf">Sample Attachment</a></strong></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Time:</span></strong> The <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Spelling Transformers</span></strong> whole-class activity takes only three minutes of concentrated, whole class practice, twice per week.</p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Who Benefits:</strong></span> The instructional activity is beneficial for remedial, grade-level, and accelerated readers and spellers  ages seven and older.</p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Instructional Objectives:</strong></span> Over the year, students will learn to apply each of the <strong><span style="color: #800080;"><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-top-ten-syllable-rules/">Syllable Rules</a> </span></strong>and all of the phonetic patterns in their reading and spelling.</p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Tactics:</strong></span> Rather than an inductive &#8220;Here are the rules-with examples-now apply them&#8221; approach, students practice many examples of each syllable pattern to achieve mastery of that pattern. The syllable patterns are taught, using nonsense syllables  because students ages seven and older have extensive sight word vocabularies, which can interfere with learning how changes in spelling affect pronunciation and syllabication.</p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Materials/Preparation:</strong></span> The Spelling Transformers activity is designed to use the overhead projector, Smart BOARD®, or LCD projector. Make a card with one corner cut off as a rectangle to isolate each word part (<span style="color: #000000;">s</span><span style="color: #000000;">ee Sample Attachment</span>) and cut a bottom flap to more easily slide the card on the transparency. Develop nonsense word lists that correspond to the <strong><span style="color: #800080;">Syllable Rules <span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and follow the instructional phonetic pattern of short vowels, consonants, long vowels, consonant blends, silent final &#8220;e,&#8221; vowel digraphs, and vowel diphthongs (<span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;">s</span><span style="color: #000000;">ee Sample Attachment</span></span>). <span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><em>Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary</em></strong></span> has 17 such lists ready for your projector.</span></span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Directions: </strong></span>Teach students to respond out loud, whole class, as soon as the nonsense syllable is isolated on the projector. Tell students that they must pronounce each syllable out loud, and not just whisper. Continue at a rapid pace for three minutes. Formatively assess student progress and repeat difficult transformers. When students have universally mastered the syllable pattern, explain the relevant rule and then move on to the next syllable rule.</p>
<p>For the <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Spelling Transformers</span> </strong>syllabication<strong> </strong>activity, individual sound-spelling worksheets that correspond with the <strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/assessments.php">TSV Spelling Assessment</a></strong>, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/the-eight-great-spelling-rules/">spelling rules</a> with memorable raps and <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/the-i-before-e-spelling-rule/">songs</a> on CD, spelling tests, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-the-most-efficient-word-parts-part-v/">Greek and Latin affixes/roots</a> worksheets, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/vowel-team-spelling-games/">spelling games</a>, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/vocabulary-review-games/">vocabulary games</a>, and more to <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/how-to-differentiate-spelling-and-vocabulary-instruction/">differentiate spelling and vocabulary instruction</a>, please check out <strong><em><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=1">Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary</a></em></strong>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Top 40 Pronunciation Pet Peeves</title>
		<link>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/top-40-pronunciation-pet-peeves/</link>
		<comments>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/top-40-pronunciation-pet-peeves/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:10:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Pennington</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spelling/Vocabulary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alliteration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enunciation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet peeves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pronunciation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pronunciation pet peeves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reading fluency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[speech techniques]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllable rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllables]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=901</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here is the definitive list of the Top 40 Pronunciation Pet Peeves that drive Americans crazy. Read, laugh, and cringe over mistakes that you or your friends make when saying these words.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>President George Bush, well known for his pronunciation gaffes, once said, “I have been known to mangle a syllable or two myself.” Despite laughing at the plethora of Bushisms over the last eight years, even the best American wordsmiths do mispronounce their fair share of words.</p>
<p>Americans are somewhat tolerant regarding pronunciation errors when the mistakes involve infrequently used foreign phrases, place names, technical terms, dialectical differences, or idiomatic expressions. However, for various reasons, we do demand uniform pronunciation of some words. Following are our <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Top 40 Pronunciation Pet Peeves</span></strong> in no particular order. Also, make sure to check out the <strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/grammar_mechanics/top-40-grammar-pet-peeves/">Top 40 Grammar Pet Peeves</a></strong> and the <strong><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/top-40-vocabulary-pet-peeves/">Top 40 Vocabulary Pet Peeves</a></strong>. Find out <strong>all of your grammatical mistakes and the words you misuse</strong> before &#8220;You-Know-Who&#8221; points them out to you.</p>
<ol>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Library</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “lie-brair-ee,” not &#8220;lie-bear-ee.” [No, it’s not </span><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">libarian</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> either]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Nuclear </span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;">is pronounced &#8220;nook-lee-er,&#8221; not &#8220;nUke-U-ler.&#8221; [Ode to Bush]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">February</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “Feb-roo-air-ee,” not &#8220;Feb-U-aire-ee.” [Frequently misspelled, as well]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Orange</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “or-anj,” not &#8220;are-anj.” [Orange you glad you know this?]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Prostate</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “praw-state,” not &#8220;praw-straight.” [Unless you are lying down]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Height</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “hite,” not &#8220;hite with a ‘th’.” [That “e-i” or “width” must confuse us]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Probably</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “praw-bab-lee,” not &#8220;prob-lee.” [Or some say “praw-lee”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Ask</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “ask,” not &#8221; ax.” [Please tell me before you <em>ax </em>me.]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Pronunciation</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “pro-nun-see-a-tion,” not &#8221; pro-noun-see-a-tion.” [But </span><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">pronounce</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;">]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Athlete</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “ath-lete,” not &#8220;ath-ah-leet.” [Despite the ath-ah-leets foot commercials]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Strategy</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “strat-uh-gee,” not &#8220;stra-ji-dee.” [Though we never say “stra-ji-jick”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Aluminum</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “uh-loo-mi-num,” not &#8220;al-U-min-um.” [Brits have their own version]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Et cetera </span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;">(etc.) is pronounced “et-set-er-ah,” not &#8220;ek- set-er-ah.” [Not “ek-spe-shul-lee” either]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Supposedly</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “suh-po-zed-lee,” not &#8220;su-pose-ub-lee.” [Or "su-pose-eh-blee”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Difference </span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;">is pronounced “di-fer-ence,” not &#8220;dif-rence.” [Often misspelled due to this error]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Mischievous</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “mis-chuh-vus,” not &#8220;mis-chee-vee-us.” [You’ll look this one up]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Mayonnaise</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “may-un-naze,” not &#8220;man-aise.” [“Ketchup-catsup” is another matter]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Miniature</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “mi-ne-uh-ture,” not &#8220;min-ah-ture.” [Who drives an Austin “min-uh”?]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Definite</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “de-fuh-nit,” not &#8221; def-ah-nut.” [For </span><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">define</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;">, it’s “di-fine” not “dah-fine”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Often</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “off-ten,” not &#8220;off-en.” [Probably just sloppy pronunciation]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Internet</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “In-ter-net,” not &#8220;In-nur-net.” [Not “in-ner-rest-ing either]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Groceries</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “grow-sir-ees,” not &#8220;grow-sure-ees.” [It’s not “grow-sure” either]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Similar</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “sim-ah-ler,” not &#8220;sim-U-lar.” [But Websters says “sim-ler” is fine]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Escape</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “es-cape,” not &#8220;ex-cape.” [It’s not “ex-pres-so” either]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Lose</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “luze,” not &#8220;loose.” [Think “choose,” not “moose”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Temperature</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “tem-per-ah-ture,” not &#8220;tem-prah-chur.” [Cute when kids say it]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Jewelry</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “jewl-ree” or &#8220;jew-ul-ree,&#8221; not &#8220;jew-ler-ree.” [More syllables won’t get you more carats]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Sandwich</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “sand-which,” not &#8220;sam-which.” [Or “sam-mitch” either]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Realtor</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “real-tor,” not &#8220;real-ah-tor.” [Similarly, it’s “di-late,” not “di-ah-late”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Asterisk</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “ass-tur-risk,” not &#8220;ass-trik.” [It’s not called a </span><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">star</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;">, by the way]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Federal</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “fed-ur-ul,” not &#8220;fed-rul.” [Use all syllables to ensure all federal holidays]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Candidate</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “can-di-date,” not &#8220;can-uh-date.” [It’s not “can-nuh-date” or "can-di-dit"]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Hierarchy</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “hi-ur-ar-kee,” not &#8220;hi-ar-kee.” [It’s not “arch-type”; it’s “ar-ki-type”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Niche</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced &#8220;nich&#8221; or “neesh,” not &#8220;neech.” [This one drives some people crazy]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Sherbet </span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;">is pronounced “sher-bet,” not &#8220;sher-bert.” [I’m sure, Burt]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Prescription </span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;">is pronounced “pre-scrip-tion,” not &#8220;per-scrip-tion.” [and </span><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">prerogative</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;">, not “per”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Arctic</span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;"> is pronounced “ark-tik,” not &#8220;ar-tik.” [Not “ant-ar-tik-ah either]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Cabinet</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “cab-uh-net,” not &#8220;cab-net.” [Likewise, it’s “cor-uh-net,” not “cor-net”]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Triathlon </span></em><span style="color: #0000ff;">is pronounced “tri-ath-lon,” not &#8220;tri-ath-uh-lon.” [Not “bi-ath-uh-lon” either]</span></li>
<li><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Forte</span></em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> is pronounced “fort,” not &#8220;for-tay.” [But Porsche does have a slight “uh” at the end]</span></li>
</ol>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>And for the culinary snobs among us… It’s “bru-chet-tah” or “bru-sket-tah,” but definitely not “bru-shet-tah.” And it’s “hear-row,” not “gear-row” or “ji-roh.” If you&#8217;re eager for more of the same, check out the <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/20-embarrassing-mispronunciations/">20 Embarrassing Mispronunciations</a></span></strong> that I have been guilty of over the years.</p>
<p>Many of the pronunciation errors described above are made by people with poor <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/top-ten-reasons-to-teach-phonics/">decoding</a> or<a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-top-ten-syllable-rules/"> syllabication</a> skills. Mark Pennington&#8217;s comprehensive curricula: <strong><em><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=21">Teaching Reading Strategies</a></em></strong> and <strong><em><a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?books=1&amp;jump=4">Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary</a></em></strong> are wonderful resources to teach reading, spelling, vocabulary, and proper pronunciation.</p>
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		<title>How to Teach and Learn Precise Vocabulary</title>
		<link>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/why-precise-vocabulary-memorization-is-important-and-how-to-teach-it/</link>
		<comments>http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/why-precise-vocabulary-memorization-is-important-and-how-to-teach-it/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:25:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Pennington</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spelling/Vocabulary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affixes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[base words]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greek and Latin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greek and Latin word parts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[morphemes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prefixes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[semantic spectrums]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllable rules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[syllables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vocabulary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vocabulary flash cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vocabulary flashcards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vocabulary skills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vocabulary worksheets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[word lists]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[word parts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=845</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Memorizing words with precise denotative and connotative definitions is important. Sloppy use of our language inhibits effective communication and leads to misunderstandings. Learn the techniques to teach vocabulary with precise meanings.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Despite all of our educational focus these days on higher order critical thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation (Bloom, Costa, etc.), the bulk of our teaching and learning at all levels of education remains at the lower levels of factual acquisition, comprehension, and application. We need this pool of knowledge to be able to accurately and efficiently inform our thinking and decision-making.</p>
<p>Since reading remains the chief vehicle that we use to access this knowledge, we had better get good at it. Knowing <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-we-learn-vocabulary-from-reading-part-ii/">vocabulary</a> is, of course, one of the keys to reading. The precise definitions of vocabulary words are the lower level gatekeepers  that allow readers access to the higher level thinking skills.</p>
<p>But, some may be thinking… aren’t all words subject to individual interpretation? To some degree, yes. However, words do have a collective consciousness of meaning. They do connect to objective realities. In other words, words are not totally subjective. Words must be denotatively internalized and connotatively applied with a good deal of accuracy and skill to properly access information the way the author intends. Only when the reader understands the author’s intentions can higher order thinking skills be then applied to the text.</p>
<p>Although that author-reader connection is a <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-use-think-alouds-to-teach-reading-comprehension/">two-way street</a>, the relationship should be weighted heavily on the side of the author. It is the author&#8217;s thoughts that we are trying to interpret, not ours per se. An author chooses words carefully because of their precise meanings and the connotations/feelings that the collective readers commonly will understand.</p>
<p>So, memorizing words with precise denotative and connotative definitions is important. Sloppy use of our language inhibits effective communication and leads to misunderstandings. So, what’s the bottom line here? What’s the application for teacher and learner? It is better to teach and learn fewer words with greater precision, than many words with less precision. Two vocabulary strategies assist in this effort: <strong>The Vocabulary Ladder</strong> and <strong>Semantic Spectrums</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>The Vocabulary Ladder</strong></p>
<p>Students draw a graphic representation of a ladder with five rungs. They take notes in between the rungs from each of the guiding prompts (in boldface). Begin with a clear, simple, and concise dictionary definition and work students up the ladder via class and teacher brainstorming and reference to appropriate text.</p>
<p><strong>Example Vocabulary Word: <em>democracy</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Full Understanding</strong></p>
<p><strong>-It’s important because…</strong> it’s the foundation of our government.</p>
<p><strong>-It’s different than… </strong> a republic <strong>because…</strong> a republic has a Constitution.</p>
<p><strong>-It’s the same as…</strong> a republic <strong>because</strong>… both have citizens who are allowed to vote.</p>
<p><strong>-Specific examples of it would be…</strong> direct democracy like a club, representative democracy like our Student Council.</p>
<p><strong>-It’s an example of the following…</strong> ways decisions are made in governments and organizations.</p>
<p><strong>-The definition is… </strong>rule by the people.</p>
<p><strong>Basic Understanding</strong></p>
<p><strong>Semantic Spectrums</strong></p>
<p>Students draw a number line with one end labeled <strong>Extreme </strong>and the other end labeled<strong> Opposite  Extreme</strong>. The object is to list words in their connotative order along the spectrum of meaning. Select two vocabulary words for this activity that students fully understand that are antonyms. For example, <em>hot </em>and <em>cold</em>.<em> </em>Have students brainstorm synonyms to each word at the ends of the spectrum and problem-solve via consensus as to where to list each new word by degree of meaning. Select one or two unknown vocabulary words that will fit along this spectrum and read a clear, simple, and concise dictionary definition of each. Assist the students’ decision-making as to where to place these new words. Have the students write down their definitions below the spectrum.<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Example Vocabulary Words: <em>even-tempered</em> </strong>and <strong><em>vicious</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Extreme </strong>kind-hearted/nice/warm/even-tempered/cool/mean/cruel/vicious/hateful<strong> Opposite Extreme</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">For more vocabulary activities, including <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/how-to-teach-the-most-efficient-word-parts-part-v/">Greek and Latin</a> affixes/roots worksheets, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/vocabulary-review-games/">spelling-vocabulary games</a>, vocabulary lists, vocabulary flashcards, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/spelling_vocabulary/the-eight-great-spelling-rules/">spelling rules</a> with memorable raps and songs on CD, spelling tests, <a href="http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-top-ten-syllable-rules/">syllable</a> practice, to differentiate spelling and vocabulary instruction, please check out </span><strong><em><a href="http://www.penningtonpublishing.com/books.php?book=1">Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary</a></em></strong> </strong>at www.penningtonpublishing.com.</p>
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