Comments on: Building Academic Vocabulary (Robert Marzano) http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/10/building-academic-vocabulary-robert-marzano/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:07:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Stephanie Sandifer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/10/building-academic-vocabulary-robert-marzano/comment-page-1/#comment-38610 Stephanie Sandifer Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:05:15 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/10/building-academic-vocabulary-robert-marzano/#comment-38610 Wesley -- I look forward to the podcast of this session. I think the key in what he presents with this is the idea of consistency across the school -- whatever you do, do it in all classrooms so that students become familiar with it. I think that is true for much more than just building vocabulary. Example: If you are going to teach kids how to take notes, them use the same system in all classrooms instead of allowing each teacher to teach a separate note taking system. In other words, if you are going to teach kids how to use "Cornell Notes", then make sure that all teachers teach the system and use it consistently in all classrooms. There are some things in this presentation that I do have questions about -- like you, I am concerned about the issue of differentiation and would like to see some application of technology and real-world activities to increase relevancy. On a separate topic -- I LOVE the new look of your blog! Very nice. I am considering upgrading Wordpress also, but am dreading the time it will take! Stephanie Wesley –

I look forward to the podcast of this session. I think the key in what he presents with this is the idea of consistency across the school — whatever you do, do it in all classrooms so that students become familiar with it. I think that is true for much more than just building vocabulary.

Example:
If you are going to teach kids how to take notes, them use the same system in all classrooms instead of allowing each teacher to teach a separate note taking system. In other words, if you are going to teach kids how to use “Cornell Notes”, then make sure that all teachers teach the system and use it consistently in all classrooms.

There are some things in this presentation that I do have questions about — like you, I am concerned about the issue of differentiation and would like to see some application of technology and real-world activities to increase relevancy.

On a separate topic — I LOVE the new look of your blog! Very nice. I am considering upgrading Wordpress also, but am dreading the time it will take!

Stephanie

]]> By: Bowrag http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/10/building-academic-vocabulary-robert-marzano/comment-page-1/#comment-38544 Bowrag Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:42:26 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/10/building-academic-vocabulary-robert-marzano/#comment-38544 Our district is the same. Marzano is entertaining and informative. But I can't help but think everytime I go to another inservice like this, 'this is a different spin on the same old thing.' But then again, he was entertaining. Our district is the same. Marzano is entertaining and informative. But I can’t help but think everytime I go to another inservice like this, ‘this is a different spin on the same old thing.’

But then again, he was entertaining.

]]> By: Diana Laufenberg http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/10/building-academic-vocabulary-robert-marzano/comment-page-1/#comment-38527 Diana Laufenberg Wed, 11 Jul 2007 02:33:11 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/10/building-academic-vocabulary-robert-marzano/#comment-38527 My school is pretty hyped up on Marzano... I, however, have had some of the same reservations that you commented upon. One of the problems that I have noticed is 'bandwagon' hysteria. If vocab cards are good, more vocab cards must be great and vocab cards everyday in every class must be even better. Sometimes I think educational 'movements' are like fad diets. Fad diets start strong and fade, aften because they are boring or unsustainable. Just like eating only grapefruit is not a good diet, neither is only teaching vocabulary. Although I know that Marzano does not advocate only teaching vocabulary, my experience with the implemetation of his ideas in the classroom was less than impressive. Just as with eating habits, balance is key... there are many factors that aid in healthy eating AND a successful classroom. I sometimes feel as though Marzano misses the mark with what he advocates. We need vocab, but we need a whole HOST of skills and applications to become a '21st century learner'. My school is pretty hyped up on Marzano… I, however, have had some of the same reservations that you commented upon. One of the problems that I have noticed is ‘bandwagon’ hysteria. If vocab cards are good, more vocab cards must be great and vocab cards everyday in every class must be even better. Sometimes I think educational ‘movements’ are like fad diets. Fad diets start strong and fade, aften because they are boring or unsustainable. Just like eating only grapefruit is not a good diet, neither is only teaching vocabulary. Although I know that Marzano does not advocate only teaching vocabulary, my experience with the implemetation of his ideas in the classroom was less than impressive. Just as with eating habits, balance is key… there are many factors that aid in healthy eating AND a successful classroom. I sometimes feel as though Marzano misses the mark with what he advocates. We need vocab, but we need a whole HOST of skills and applications to become a ’21st century learner’.

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