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Wordsmith: A Computerized Vocabulary Program for Students With High-Incidence Disabilities. By Sean Lancaster. Vocabulary Programs. Wordsmith Prefixes, suffixes, & roots Vocabulary Strategies Key word strategies Word Mapping Expanding Vocabulary Applying strategies to academic terms
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Wordsmith: A Computerized Vocabulary Program for Students With High-Incidence Disabilities By Sean Lancaster
Vocabulary Programs • Wordsmith • Prefixes, suffixes, & roots • Vocabulary Strategies • Key word strategies • Word Mapping • Expanding Vocabulary • Applying strategies to academic terms • Research sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Grant # R44 HD054028-02
Why Vocabulary Instruction? • Critical in the development of literacy skills (Ransby & Swanson, 2003) • Many students w/LD are significantly behind their nondisabled peers with regard to vocabulary development (Chall & Jacobs, 2003) • Vocabulary is under-studied component of reading instruction • Vocabulary instruction in complex • Some studies have shown that strategy instruction is a good fit for vocabulary instruction (Curtis & Longo, 2004)
Consequences of low vocabulary • The difference in learning rate results in a gap of approximately 3,000 words between HA and LA students by second grade. • These same LA students by 5th grade have attained vocabularies similar to that of average second grade children (Biemiller & Slonim, in press).
Vocabulary Instruction is complex & should address: • Generalized linguistic deficiencies • Memory deficits • Poor use of word learning strategies (Baker, Simmons, & Kameenui, 2003).
Game One - Wordsmith: Prefix Edition • The Green Room • Introduce Prefixes • Game Preparation • Flash Cards with quizzes • Word Play • Controlled Practice • The Isolation Booth - Lightening Round • Advanced Practice • Fluency
Wordsmith: Suffix Edition (Root Words Coming Soon) • Green Room • Word Play • Isolation Booth
Wordsmith Results Percentage of Points Earned