Understanding Tiered Vocabulary

Understanding Tiered Vocabulary

We know that vocabulary knowledge influences fluency, comprehension, and student achievement. Vocabulary plays an even more important role in understanding nonfiction and informational text. It has been estimated that 80% of comprehension in nonfiction is dependent upon understanding the vocabulary.  

Tiered Vocabulary is an organizational framework developed by Isabel Beck and Margaret McKeown for categorizing words and suggests implications for instruction.

        

Tier 1

Tier I words are basic, everyday words that are a part of most children’s vocabulary. These are words used every day in conversation, and most of them are learned by hearing family, peers, and teachers use them when speaking.   Some examples of Tier 1 words are: big, small, dog, family, boy, etc.

Tier 2

Tier 2 words include frequently occurring words that appear in various contexts and topics. These are general academic words and have high utility across a wide range of topics and contexts. Another way to think of Tier 2 vocabulary is as cross-curricular terms. For example, the term “express”  frequently appears in Science, Social Studies, and English texts.  Some examples of Tier 2 words are:   contrast, generate, isolate, exhaust, process.

Tier 3

Tier 3 words are domain specific vocabulary. Words in this category are low frequency, specialized words that appear in specific fields or content areas. We anticipate that students will be unfamiliar with Tier 3 words. Beck suggests teaching these words as the need arises for comprehension in specific content areas.  Some examples of Tier 3 words are:  tectonic plates, alliteration, mitosis, imperialism, isthmus.

Like thinking about words?  Have you ever multi-slacked?  
Here is an interesting Ted Talk about words...

We have Amazing Online Resources for Reading!

All teachers kindergarten through fifth grade and resource teachers have Reading A-Z and RAZ Kids accounts. 

Reading A-Z is an online teaching product which has more than 2,500 downloadable books (including English and Spanish versions) as well as teaching and learning materials.  

RAZ Kids is an online student product that has hundreds of eBooks offered at 27 different levels of reading difficulty.

If you:

• don't know or remember your username or password
• have questions about various features in Reading A-Z or RAZ Kids 
• need help setting up your class in RAZ Kids 
• want to learn more about how to incorporate these resources in your classroom

please contact Janet or Emily!

All third through fifth grade teachers also have access to Kid Biz 3000.  Kid Biz 3000 is a web based reading program (with content in English or Spanish) that reaches each student at his or her Lexile level.  Kid Biz allows teachers to customize content and monitor student growth.  

If you:

• don't know or remember your username or password
• have questions about various features in Kid Biz 
• want to learn more about how to incorporate this resource in your classroom

please contact Janet or Emily!

  

Endings and Beginnings

mClass Window Closing Today! 

As the mClass window closes today, we want to share a huge thanks to all mClassing teachers!  This was the smoothest testing administration ever!  Please be sure to have all of your TRC written responses saved in the blue folders as we will be analyzing global and specific strengths and needs to drive our future instruction. If you have questions about mClass, TRC written responses, or are wondering, 'What blue folder?"  shoot an email to Emily or Janet. 

Guided Reading Groups Beginning!

Now that we have finished assessing our students, we are ready to begin guided reading instruction!  

The purpose of guided reading is to:

• implement differentiated instruction in a systematic way
• help students develop reading proficiency and fluency
• to focus on specific needs in order to accelerate progress

A short to do list:

• Develop and share your guided reading schedule with administration and coaches. Like examples? See below!
• Choose either a 3-ring binder or electronic system to organize your plans & notes.
• Plan for guided reading instruction.

• Record and collect anecdotal notes, running records, written responses, etc. as data to help inform future instruction. 

Here is an example guided reading schedule:

Sample Guided Reading Schedule
8:00-8:15	Minilesson	Minilesson	Minilesson	Minilesson	Minilesson
8:15-8:30	Level H Wes Rebecca Connor Annalise	Level H Wes Rebecca Connor Annalise	Level H Wes Rebecca Connor Annalise	Level H Wes Rebecca Connor Annalise	Level P Olivia Mellie Cyrus Fitz Huck
8:30 - 8:45	Level J/K Don Peggy Joan Pete Roger	Level J/K Don Peggy Joan Pete Roger	Level J/K Don Peggy Joan Pete Roger	Level J/K Don Peggy Joan Pete Roger	Level R/S Kimmy Titus Xanthippe Donna Maria Lillian
8:45-9:00	Level M/N Liz Jack Tracy Jenna Kenneth Frank	Level M/N Liz Jack Tracy Jenna Kenneth Frank	Level M/N Liz Jack Tracy Jenna Kenneth Frank	Conferences	Conferences

Embrace the Near Win!

See the value of near wins!