Depth of Knowledge Chart ~ Week 6

Every week in fifth grade we get a new set of vocabulary words that correspond to our weekly story in reading. I like to get a sense of what the children already know about the words before I actually give them the definitions. To get the students thinking about the words I write them on index cards and randomly pass them out face down. To make sure that everyone gets a card with a word, I choose extra words from the story that I feel they should also understand. Once each student has a card they flip the card over, read it, and place it in our vocabulary pocket chart. Based on hearing the word that has been read that student or other students tell what they know about the word. As a class, we then read a passage that has the words included in it. Using context clues the students are then able to formulate complete definitions for the words. Lastly, we compare and contrast our definitions to the definitions given in the textbook. All of this gives me a great assessment of my student's prior knowledge and understanding of the vocabulary before we read the story.  The GREAT thing is that discussing the vocabulary in this way really prepares them for the story and helps them to have better understanding as they read.

After reviewing the Depth of Knowledge Chart and comparing it to my assessment for prior vocabulary knowledge, I feel that what I do toggles back and forth between levels 2 and 3. Possibly even level one. As a teacher trying to teach 21st Century Skills it is important not to get stuck in one level of teaching. Our students  most definitely need to learn and master the basics, but then they need to learn how to utilize those basic skills to be effective learners. I want my students to have the thinking abilities to adjust to a world that is rapidly changing. In order for them to do that as I teacher I must train and instruct them on how to think outside the box, to use their knowledge to create and then recreate if necessary. Uhmmm... what a BIG task I have.