Word Wizard: Promoting Word Consciousness

Subject Area and Grade Span: Any Subject, Grades K – 12 

What it is: 

Word Wizard is a motivating practice to promote students’ word consciousness. Students are encouraged to search their environment (home and school) for and use previously introduced words. This practice provides students the opportunity to transfer word learning to oral and written contexts. 

What it looks like: 

• Students earn points for word sightings and usage.
• Teacher creates a class chart to tally points earned by each student.
• To earn points students will:
• Find vocabulary words (introduced in the classroom) in various types of media (i.e., newspaper, television, billboards, radio, internet, etc.).
• Report to the teacher where they found the word and how it was used.
• Variations:
• The teacher can assign words for students to find, create an example or determine an application for the words.
• Students identify or create a situation described by a vocabulary word (ex.  Something “chaotic”).
• Create a suggestion box for students to submit interesting words that they encounter. Teacher selects a word a day to discuss.
• Student selects several vocabulary words, and writes them on an index card with an appropriate explanation.
• Someone selects a card, reads the word, and the student responds with the explanation. 
• Create a chart to record word sightings.

How you know it’s working:

• Students are earning points.
• Students are motivated to participate.
• Examples presented by students are appropriate.
• Increased use of academic language in the classroom is noted.

Things to consider:

• If students fabricate a word sighting it still accomplishes the objective of this practice, as long as the student was able to identify a plausible context for the word and use it appropriately. 
• Parent involvement: Communicate this practice with parents and promote parent participation.

Reference:

Beck, I. L., McKeown, M. G., & Kucan, L. (2002). Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary instruction. New York: The Guilford Press.