My CT introduces new vocabulary almost daily. Unfortunately she does not use any graphic organizers that I have seen. When she introduces the new sections of each chapter she simply lists the word and definition on her smart notebook presentation. She also does not test the students on the vocabulary words so many of the students do not write them down when asked to. Since the students do not copy down the vocabulary words, they may not ever truely learn the word , its meaning, or understand how to apply it properly. At the end of the class period, she does not review the words again. She never repats them. The following day after presenting a new word, she does not go back over the vocabulary from the day before. She never even reflects back to the words and asks the students if they have learned them at any point. Not only does she just present the vocabulary words, she also gives the definition. Although she uses the words in context, she never verifies they understand the meaning correctly or its application. This causes many students to miss question on the homework and tests simply because they did not know the poroper use of the word and though it applied to something else. A better way to present vocabulary words would be to ask the students if they know the meaning of the word and its application. If the students are not familiar with the word, they can make a graphic organizer and go over examples of how that word is applied. She can also review the words again at the end of the class period and then again the next day to make sure students are learning and mastering the vocabularly words. Terminology specific to mathematics is crucial to have a proper understanding. It is most likely that the majority of words they will learn they will continually see in all future math classes making it even more critical that they possess a proper understanding and application of the words.
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