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Highly Effective Vocabulary Building

Sentence Transformation for Vocabulary Development is a highly effective vocabulary building method that can accelerate student’s fluency, vocabulary, reading and writing when used 10-15 minutes each day. Sentence Transformation for Vocabulary Development is a collaborative method to build vocabulary from prior knowledge, readings, schema connections, and peer to peer learning. Sentence Transformation models and develops reading fluency, vocabulary, parts of grammar (nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.), langauge and spelling patterns and collaborative learning.

Strengths
Sentence Transformation is a process that involves the whole class and/or small groups in a very participatory activity that builds vocabulary and fluency. It requires minimal resources – a basic chalkboard and/or a wall painted with chalkboard paint. Students can lead the process in addition to the teacher. For the teacher it is an excellent opportunity to model reading with fluency and thinking aloud with vocabulary development.

When
The process takes approximately 5-15 minutes. It is recommended doing the process 1-2 times daily. The sentence can most effectively connect to content during the day.

Extensions
After developing vocabulary with the sentence for various parts of speech, students can extend this activity by writing sentences from the developed sentence transformation. Additionally, the vocabulary if connected to current studies and content can be used as part of a vocabulary word wall.

Needs
A medium or large size chalkboard and/or white board are very effective. This provides sufficient space to write complete sentences (row) and develop a wide range of vocabulary (columns).

Download the concise mini guide complete with illustrations and illustrative models of implementation.

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