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Word Aware 3


Synopsis


Word Aware 3 is a comprehensive, practical and engaging resource that focuses on teaching vocabulary and word learning skills to children aged 6 to 11 years who have vocabulary learning needs.

For many children, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or those whose home language isn't English (ELL or EAL learners), the vocabulary of the classroom can be a barrier to learning. This book outlines how to best support these children who require extra help, offering concrete, easy-to-implement activities and resources for use in small groups, to maximise the impact on learning and open up access to the curriculum.

Word Aware 3:

  • Takes a highly practical, evidence-based and curriculum-focused approach to vocabulary learning that supports a broad range of learners
  • Includes photocopiable and downloadable planning, intervention and evaluation resources
  • Provides staff training resources and an overview video presented by the authors

This book can be used as an adjunct to Word Aware 1, or as an intervention on its own. Although it is most suited to children aged 6 to 11 years, it may be adapted for older students with significant learning needs. It is an essential resource for teaching assistants and learning support assistants and will also save time for special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) and speech and language therapists (SaLTs) who are keen to establish effective vocabulary interventions.

Anna Branagan, Stephen Parsons

Summary

Chapter 1: Word Structure and Meaning

* Topic: Morphology and etymology
* Real-life example: The word "computer" comes from the Latin word "computare," meaning "to calculate." The "com" prefix indicates togetherness, and the "pute" root refers to reckoning.

Chapter 2: Context and Comprehension

* Topic: Using context clues to determine word meaning
* Real-life example: In the sentence "The car was dilapidated," the word "dilapidated" can be inferred to mean "in poor condition" based on the condition of the car.

Chapter 3: Figurative Language

* Topic: Types and functions of figurative language
* Real-life example: The metaphor "a heart of gold" means a kind and compassionate heart.

Chapter 4: Tone and Mood

* Topic: Identifying the emotional overtones of a text
* Real-life example: The poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost has a peaceful and contemplative tone.

Chapter 5: Word History and Cultural Perspectives

* Topic: The evolution of words over time and their cultural significance
* Real-life example: The word "hospitality" derives from the Latin word "hospes," meaning "guest." It reflects the importance of welcoming guests in many cultures.

Chapter 6: Literary Devices

* Topic: Techniques used by writers to create specific effects
* Real-life example: The use of alliteration in the phrase "the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain" (Edgar Allan Poe) creates a sense of rhythm and movement.

Chapter 7: Language Variation

* Topic: Dialects, idiolects, and the impact of social factors on language
* Real-life example: The use of the word "y'all" in the Southern United States is a dialectal variation that reflects regional speech patterns.

Chapter 8: Vocabulary Acquisition Strategies

* Topic: Techniques for expanding vocabulary
* Real-life example: Using a dictionary or an app to look up unfamiliar words and practice their usage.

Chapter 9: Word Roots

* Topic: The use of root words to understand and remember word meanings
* Real-life example: The root word "chron" in words like "chronology" and "chronometer" pertains to time.

Chapter 10: The Power of Word Choice

* Topic: The impact of word choice on precision, clarity, and persuasiveness
* Real-life example: Choosing the specific verb "meandered" instead of the general "walked" to describe the movement of a person adds a vivid and picturesque element to the description.