Student Authoring Project

Vocabulary Related Activities

Main Text

Introduction

Spinning off vocabulary activities is very natural for a student authoring project. Because the names and ideas used are based on input by the particular class involved, there is a natural linkage between the student and any assignment.

It is my belief that students need to increase the number of words and ideas they are comfortable with and can recall at will. This is not the same as learning a set of vocabulary words and definitions. By writing word lists from memory repeatedly, students develop the ability to include these words in their writing and thinking. Students then encounter these same words in a text they feel connected to and in which they have increased sets of contextual clues.

In the Pondera Project, the students were initially asked to produce:

1.  Lists of names for characters based on descriptions and profiles produced by students in the class.

2.  Lists of characteristics the characters might possess.

3.  Lists of adjectives to describe the personalities of the characters.

4.  Word pictures of the characters such that a person unfamiliar with the character would be able to draw a reasonable likeness.

5.  New words can be introduced whenever the teacher feels comfortable doing so.

6.  Concept specific word sets can easily be developed by leading the students and their story into a particular concept environment. An example is emotions. The teacher can turn the story toward a set of events which will involve emotions. It then is just a matter of writing in a scene which includes a concept specific word set related to emotions and responses to those emotions.

Summary

The possibilities are limited only by the imaginations of the students and teacher. Every event and scene written into the student authored text can be used to produce opportunities for vocabulary practice and development.

Manikin One                                                                Manikin Two