# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"Just as word learning is incremental, so is learning about vocabulary instruction. Teachers need exposure to research, best-practice strategies, and fellow practitioners."
-Charlene Cobb and Camille Blachowicz

The way we've learned influences the way we teach, but the vocabulary instruction many of us received-looking up words and writing sentences or completing worksheets- just doesn't work. So what can we do instead?

No More "Look Up the List" Vocabulary Instruction is your guide to engaging, research-proven practices for teaching words effectively. Practitioner Charlene Cobb and researcher Camille Blachowicz share why old-fashioned methods don't work, what the research shows does work, and how to put the research into action.

Charlene and Camille answer teachers' most commonly asked questions about vocabulary instruction, including:

How many words, and how do I select them?

How can I foster student independence using dictionaries and glossaries?

How do I find time for meaningful vocabulary instruction?

How can I assess and hold students accountable?

"Without practice in the full range of ways we use a word," write Charlene and Camille, "our word knowledge is limited and falls from our grasp as the next cycle of words enters." No More "Look Up the List" Vocabulary Instruction offers a solution-deepen students' engagement with words, increase their exposure to them, and expand their word knowledge.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
no more "look up the list" vocabulary instruction (not this but that)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
No More "Look Up the List" Vocabulary Instruction (Not This But That)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon.com: No More "Look Up the List" Vocabulary Instruction (Not This But That) (9780325049205): Cobb, Charlene, Blachowicz, Camille, Duke, Nell K, Keene, Ellin Oliver: Books

# data[].attributes.body
What might you take, tweak, and/or synthesize?

# data[].attributes.headline
Spelling Stages - Determining Instructional Focus

# data[].attributes.subject
Spelling Stages - Determining Instructional Focus

# data[].attributes.body
EKC

# data[].attributes.body
EKC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"When we give every student worksheets to learn phonics and spelling, we miss opportunities to get our students excited about words and fail to give them the opportunity to meet the high standards represented by the Common Core Standards. Our students need instruction that makes them think and helps them apply their word knowledge to real reading and writing situations." -Jennifer Palmer and Marcia Invernizzi

We want students to be curious about how words work and develop strategies that work whether they are decoding words or spelling them. And our jobs would be easier if students couldn't wait for word study.

Yet so many classrooms are stuck in the cycle of unengaging, one-size fits all phonics and spelling worksheets.

Reading specialist Jennifer Palmer and literacy researcher Marcia Invernizzi offer better, more effective, more engaging practices. Their suggestions lead kids to not only make progress during word study but also to transfer what they learn about words to their reading and writing. No More Phonics and Spelling Worksheets show us:

why skill-and-drill methods and worksheets cause children to struggle or disengage

the kinds of teaching that research shows actually works

instructional ideas for word study can put to use right away.

"We can cast off one-size-fits-all factory instruction and try a more useful practice," write Jennifer and Marcia, "meeting each child where s/he is." Pick up No More Phonics and Spelling Worksheets, discover practices that better support literacy growth, and help everyone make progress.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
no more phonics and spelling worksheets (not this but that)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / language experience approach

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education/teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
english language - orthography and spelling - study and teaching

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / language experience approach

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education/teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
No More Phonics and Spelling Worksheets (Not This but That)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon.com: No More Phonics and Spelling Worksheets (Not This but That) (9780325047973): Palmer, Jennifer, Invernizzi, Marcia, Duke, Nell K, Keene, Ellin Oliver: Books

# data[].attributes.body
EKC

# data[].attributes.headline
Framework for Learning Vocabulary Teaching & Learning

# data[].attributes.subject
Framework for Learning Vocabulary Teaching & Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Letter Lessons and First Words: Phonics Foundations That Work (The Research-informed Classroom)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon.com: Letter Lessons and First Words: Phonics Foundations That Work (The Research-informed Classroom): 9780325105444: Mesmer, Heidi Anne, Duke, Nell K: Books

# data[].attributes.body
Potential small group, partner, or individual inquiry

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
phonics they use: words for reading and writing (making words series)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education/teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
educational: first / native language: reading and writing skills

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
english language - study and teaching (elementary) - activity programs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
native language: reading and writing skills

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education/teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
educational: first / native language: reading and writing skills

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Phonics They Use: Words for Reading and Writing (Making Words Series)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon.com: Phonics They Use: Words for Reading and Writing (Making Words Series) (9780134255187): Cunningham, Patricia: Books

# data[].attributes.body
from Vocabularians (2015)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Vocabulary Book: Learning & Instruction (Language and Literacy Series)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This text presents a comprehensive plan for vocabulary instruction from kindergarten through high school, one broad enough to instruct students with small vocabularies, exceptional vocabularies, and every child in between. Written by one of the top experts in the field, this practical book presen...

# data[].attributes.headline
A Teacher's Guide to Vocabulary Development Across the Day

# data[].attributes.subject
A Teacher's Guide to Vocabulary Development Across the Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Teacher’s Guide to Vocabulary Development Across the Day

# data[].attributes.body
Make a Copy before planning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / language arts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
english language - orthography and spelling - study and teaching (elementary)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
reading - phonetic method - study and teaching (elementary)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / language arts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Word Study That Sticks: Best Practices, K-6 (Corwin Literacy)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon.com: Word Study That Sticks: Best Practices, K-6 (Corwin Literacy) (9781544327242): Koutrakos, Pamela A.: Books

# data[].attributes.headline
Examples: Word Webs, Word Matrix, Word Wall, Making/Breaking, Sorting 

# data[].attributes.subject
Examples: Word Webs, Word Matrix, Word Wall, Making/Breaking, Sorting 

# data[].attributes.headline
Some Criteria for Identifying Tier Two Words

# data[].attributes.subject
Some Criteria for Identifying Tier Two Words

# data[].attributes.body
EKC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Patterns of Power: Inviting Young Writers into the Conventions of Language, Grades 1-5

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon.com: Patterns of Power: Inviting Young Writers into the Conventions of Language, Grades 1-5 (9781625311856): Anderson, Jeff: Books

# data[].attributes.body
This visible thinking routine might be a good tool for word exploration. I've used it previously for students to think deeply about each attribute of the Learner Profile (each student would work on one attribute). Afterwords, each student would create an artifact or poster representing what they came up with. - Satya

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
​The Colour Symbol Image routine asks learners to:

read, watch or listen carefully to a stimulus

identify and distill the essence of ideas

represent big ideas using a colour, symbol and image

justify and explain reasons for their choices

Documenting Thinking In this routine, students are generally sharing their thinking at each step along the way before moving on to the next one. This allows the class to build on the group's thinking and often results in richer discussions.
It can be very useful to document the thinking at each stage. If you are wanting to document thinking as your students engage with the routine Colour Symbol Image then this template may be useful.

THE ROUTINE IN ACTION

Here are some examples of how this routine can be integrated into the curriculum:

English: exploring characters and the impact they have on a text

Mathematics: connecting to a mathematical concept

Science: connecting to a scientific concept

4th Grade Color-Symbol-Image in Action from Bemis Elementary School on Vimeo.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
​The Colour Symbol Image routine asks learners to: read, watch or listen carefully to a stimulus identify and distill the essence of ideas represent big ideas using a colour, symbol and image...

# data[].attributes.body
After students have had a bit of  exposure to vocabulary words, students can play a game where  2 words are selected at random (out of a deck of vocabulary cards, etc)  and students use the words in a way that demonstrates understanding or explains how these 2 words
could connect or relate to each other.
(ie:  if words 'compulsory' and 'subtle' were picked a player might say:  When something is compulsory, a teacher is not subtle about it.")

# data[].attributes.body
I would like to be able to have a bank of ideas, or to hear how other teachers are developing  a culture of vocabulary curiosity.

# data[].attributes.body
Ideas on how to support students who struggle with Tier 1 words due to language.

# data[].attributes.body
I wonder if the games I've inherited in the cupboard are useful/how useful are they to word study? There are a lot of resources that have not been explored.

# data[].attributes.headline
Notable Sentences (and Some Passages) for Imitation and Creation

# data[].attributes.subject
Notable Sentences (and Some Passages) for Imitation and Creation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This blog is both a forum for collaboration and a resource for language arts teachers to use. Please use the sentences you find here as models for exploration and imitation in your classrooms, and add to them as you find strong examples through your personal and class readings. Use the sidebar to the left to view or add to the collected sentences.

The idea for the blog grew from a conversation at one of Jeff Anderson's workshops. Jeff is the author of Mechanically Inclined: Building Grammar, Usage, and Style into Writer's Workshop , a very practical and valuable exploration of grammar and writing instruction. Through discussion of how to promote positive development of students' grammar knowledge and writing style, Jeff encouraged us as teachers to find powerful model sentences in the stories and books we read, and to present these sentences to our students as models for discussion (what he calls "noticing") and imitation. When teachers asked if there is a collection of these model sentences somewhere, the idea for this blog was born. Jeff's second book, Everyday Editing: Inviting Students to Develop Skill and Craft in Writer's Workshop , also holds many lessons to help you teach editing outside of the "vacuum" of canned instruction.

Use in the Classroom: These are meant to be noteworthy sentences from published authors that students can examine ("What things do you notice about this sentence?") and imitate ("Now you try it, using this sentence as an example.") within the context of writing instruction of all types. Some sentences could also serve as leads, prompts, or stems for journal entries or more formal writing assignments.

Organization of Blog: In the left sidebar, I have grouped these entries in a variety of ways, knowing that teachers look for sentences for many reasons. There is a general "Best Sentences Ever" Section, and below that there are numerous more specific categories of the following titles: Parts of Sentences (with subheadings of Parts of Speech, Phrases, and Clauses), Purpose of Sentences, Structure of Sentences, Length of Sentences, Syntax Techniques, Figurative Language, Sound Devices, Literary Techniques, Punctuation, and Style/Voice.

How to use this site as a resource: Use the links in the left sidebar to select a category of sentences. Once on the category page, click on individual types of sentences to view or add sentences. Read the "Comments" to find sentences relevant to your current search.

How to contribute to this resource: Below any post about a type of sentence, click on the "Comments" link, and type the sentences according to the following directions. Please write out your selected sentence(s) in quotations, followed by the name of the author, the work in which these lines appear, and the page number(s) on which these lines appear. Please proofread before posting. NOTES: Colorful quotations are wonderful, but please try to make sure they are also appropriate. If you have a strategy that has worked well with this particular sentence you are posting, you may also include a brief description of that strategy.

Thanks for contributing! If you have a comment or suggestion, you may email me at lswolter@gmail.com.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Notable Sentences...for Imitation and Creation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"As writers, we learn most of what we know just by watching the pros, don't we?" ~John R. Trimble