da Vinci Arts Middle School
Word Within a Word Vocabulary
VOCABULARY: ASSIGNMENTS & QUIZZES
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We work on vocabulary twice a week. We take two weeks to work on each vocabulary list. There are currently two main vocabulary groups in core: a Binder (or regular) vocabulary group, and a word within the word (W3) vocabulary group. The W3 group is further divided into a first year W3 group and several second year W3 vocabulary groups. Additionally, the regular vocabulary group is differentiated by grade level with increasing expectations for each successive grade.
We will complete fifteen vocabulary lists each academic year and the final of each semester is cumulative.
During the first week of a vocabulary list, I work with the regular vocabulary group to review ten words from the current list each workday. Twelve words of the regular vocabulary list are alphabetical and are from a list of, “the most commonly used words to know.” The other eight words are from short stories, history text, or some other class reading. W3 students work independently on their assignments while I direct the regular vocabulary students.
The W3 and the regular (Binder) vocabulary assignments are due at the beginning of the class at the end of the first week of vocabulary. The regular vocabulary group’s assignment includes: the word list with antonyms & synonyms and contextual and thoughtful usage of any five vocabulary words in sentences. The W3 assignment includes: the word list, decoding stem usage in sentences, and analogies. On the second Thursday, the W3 and the regular vocabulary students take a quiz.
QUIZZES
The W3 quizzes have two parts. On the front side of the quiz students have to define stems. There are words listed with blanks after each word. Part of each word is capitalized. The capitalized portion is a W3 stem. The first twenty-five stems are from the current list. All other stems on the front side come randomly from previous lists. Each stem must be completed and is worth one point.
The back of the quiz has ten questions. Each question has at least one bolded word within it with at least one known stem. Students need to read the question and provide an answer in three parts. First, student must provide a simple answer to the questions (usually a yes or no) worth .5 point. Next students need to list and define all known stems from the bolded word(s). This is worth .5 points for each stem. Finally, students must explain their answer in at least a sentence or more worth of words—with enough information so that I do not have to jump into their brain and do a little jig on their cerebral cortex to understand their thoughts. The explanation is worth 1 point.
QUIZ SCHEDULE
Vocabulary
quizzes account for 25% of their writing grade. The following is a
breakdown of the quiz dates:
•
vocabulary #1 (9/22)
•
vocabulary #2 (10/6)
•
vocabulary #3 (10/20)
•
vocabulary #4 (11/3)*
•
vocabulary #5 (12/1)
•
vocabulary #6 (12/15)
•
vocabulary #7 (1/12)
•
vocabulary #8 (1/26)
• vocabulary #1-8 semester
1 final (1/31)
•
vocabulary #9 (2/16)
•
vocabulary #10 (3/1)
•
vocabulary #11 (3/15)
•
vocabulary #12 (4/5)**
•
vocabulary #13 (4/26)
•
vocabulary #14 (5/14)
•
vocabulary #15 (5/24)
• vocabulary #1-15
semester 2 final (5/30)
*The 1st quarter test is
an expanded vocabulary quiz. It will focus on vocabulary #4, but will
include elements from the first three lists. It is on Thursday, November
3.
The first semester
vocabulary final is on Tuesday, January 31. It accounts for 10% of the
writing grade and uses words from lists #1-8.
*The 3rd quarter test is
an expanded vocabulary quiz. It will focus on vocabulary #8, but will
include elements from the first seven lists. It is on Thursday, April 5.
The second semester
vocabulary final is on Wednesday, May 30. It accounts for 10% of the
writing grade and uses words from lists #1-15.
LISTS, EXAMPLES, AND ASSIGNMENT DIRECTIONS:
lists 1-20 Assignment Guidelines & Example Quiz
lists 21+ Assignment Guidelines & Example Quiz
List #30
