Do the Word Attack!

1. Do the Word Attack! Rachelle Gage EDU 668 Reading Comprehension Across the Curriculum Dr. Jessica Talada March 27, 2012

2. The Word Attack Paradigm • There are many vocabulary strategies teachers can use in the assistance phase of PAR • One strategy described by Richardson, Morgan, and Fleener (2012) is the Word Attack Paradigm. • The Word Attack Paradigm is a series of steps students can use to decipher word meaning. • Mnemonics are memory strategies to help students remember material (Richardson, Morgan, & Fleener, 2012). • The following poem was developed to help this author remember the seven steps in the Word Attack Paradigm. (This was originally designed to be a rap, but since I have no musical talent or inclination whatsoever a poem was more appropriate!) Begin!

3. Do you have a word in reading that you just don’t know? Then it’s time to go Use the word attack To get the vocab knack! Us e the attack to make sense When you’re feeling tense. When word meanings hide Word attack can be applied! READY? It’s time to go! Learn the 7 steps of the word attack To get the vocabulary knack! Word Attack!

4. Step 1 Step 1 is to think… put your mind in sync. What’s the sentence mean? You’re not all green! All the words aren’t new. What do they say to you? If sentence meaning is plain, The word’s meaning you’ll gain. If not… Don’t think you’re caught! Go to step 2 of the word attack To get the vocabulary knack! Step 2

5. Step 2 You know those little old things- Called suffixes (or endings)? These can make a word seem hard And keep you on your guard! Get rid of them! Try again! Know what the word means? Without these suffix screens? If not… Don’t think you’re caught! Go to step 3 of the word attack To get the vocabulary knack! Step 3

6. Step 3 What makes up a word? Haven’t you heard? A word is full of parts: Endings, roots and starts! Break the word up in different ways To help clear the meaning haze! If you know what the smaller parts mean The whole word’s meaning you could glean! If not… Don’t think you’re caught! Go to step 4 of the word attack To get the vocabulary knack! Step 4

7. Step 4 How’s the word sound? With your tongue work it around! Say the smallest parts to start (several times differently is smart). Sound like anything you know? Any meaning start to flow? Any word you know begin or end the same? Any prior knowledge you can claim? If not… Don’t think you’re caught! Go to step 5 of the word attack To get the vocabulary knack! Step 5

8. Step 5 If you’re reading in a book, It helps to take a look At the glossary in the back For step 5 of the word attack! If you don’t know what a glossary can do Flip on back and have a view! A short trip to the text’s back Might end your word attack! If not… Don’t think you’re caught! Go to step 6 of the word attack To get the vocabulary knack! Step 6

9. Step 6 If you’re still in a bind, because a word’s meaning you can’t find, There’s never shame in asking (a fact that’s everlasting)! Don’t be afraid to query When a word makes you weary! Turn around to someone near. Ask! They might make the meaning clear! If not… Don’t think you’re caught! Go to the last step of the word attack To get the vocabulary knack! Step 7

10. Step 7 As a last resort If there’s no help from a cohort Grab the dictionary When you can no longer tarry! Use the dictionary to find what a word is about When you’ve not been helped by any other route! You mind will no longer be addled When, with word attack, you’ve battled! If so… (don’t you know?) You can’t lose when using the word attack To get the vocabulary knack! Next!

11. So remember when you find a word’s meaning doesn’t come to mind: To get the vocabulary knack! Use the Word Attack When word meanings hide Word attack can be applied! Begin Word Attack again!

12. References Richardson, J., Morgan, R., Fleener, C. (2012). Reading to learn in the content areas (8th ed.). Belmont. CA: WadworthCengage Learning.