noun, plural vocabularies.
1. the stock of words used by or known to a particular people or group of persons: His French vocabulary is rather limited. The scientific vocabulary is constantly growing.
2. a list or collection of the words or phrases of a language, technical field, etc., usually arranged in alphabetical order and defined: Study the vocabulary in the fourth chapter.
3. the words of a language.
4. any collection of signs or symbols constituting a means or system of nonverbal communication: vocabulary of a computer.
5. any more or less specific group of forms characteristic of an artist, a style of art, architecture, or the like.
The School Improvement goal for Wood River Rural Schools is to increase Reading comprehension across all grade levels and subjects. The main tool to accomplish this goal is to work with vocabulary. Vocabulary, as defined above, has many meanings. Think about the vocabulary you know and use on a daily basis. Where did you learn the vocabulary? Is the majority of the vocabulary you use related to your likes? Your job? Your heritage?
At Wood River Elementary School, one tool used to increase the vocabulary use and understanding for our students is the use of vocabulary notebooks. Vocabulary notebooks are used in the areas of Reading, Writing, Math, and Science by all students in grades 2-5. The notebooks in each different subject area includes words and definitions that pertain to the particular subject at each given grade level. The teachers at WRES have determined the words which are the most useful for the students to know for success, both in the classroom and on state and nationally normed assessments. Not only do the vocabulary notebooks contain words and definitions, but strategies are also included in the notebooks for student success. The notebooks are used daily with individual study, small group (partner) study, and in the large group setting. In conversation, ask a student in grades 2-5 about their vocabulary notebooks and see if they can explain some of the vocabulary they have learned this week, month, or school year!