Pre-assessment Choose
- What
In the Preassessment section, students demonstrate their
knowledge of the target words selected for each chapter. Words have been selected based
on three criteria: repeated use in the book, importance to the story, appropriateness
to the grade level. Depending on the book, there can be as many as 10 target words per
chapter (higher level books) or only 8 words per every two chapters (easier books).
If a student continually misses all the words in every pretest, the book level is
too hard. Move the student into an easier book. For more ideas, print out the manual
Word Lab as an Effective Teaching Tool.
- How
When students clicks "yes," they indicate they
know the meaning of the word. The program will then require students to prove their
knowledge of the "yes" words by asking them to select a correct definition.
Any words that students identify as unknown ("no") will automatically be assigned
to the student to learn, as well as the ones missed in the pretest. Students are not asked
to match a definition to a word they declared as unknown. Decoy words, also chosen from the
book, make the pretest a challenge.
-
Why
It is important that students not waste time practicing with words they already know.
This pretest individualizes the learning. Taking a test on many words you don't understand
can be a discouraging experience. Students find it motivating to be asked to declare their
knowledge before they take a test.
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