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How many words are taught in each Series of Word Bank, The Power of Words? |
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Each Word Bank, The Power of Words textbook contains 160 new words (32 weeks of curriculum x 5 words each week). It is divided into four quarters or terms of eight weeks each. |
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How do you choose which words are taught in Word Bank, The Power of Words? |
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Weekly words are representative of a common Latin or Greek word root or are thematically arranged (ex: “Words from Ecology”). Approximately 60% of the words are taken from lists of "most commonly seen words" on standardized tests. |
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What English Language Arts standards are taught with Word Bank, The Power of Words curriculum? |
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All four editions of the curriculum were designed to address many of California Language Arts standards for grades six, seven, eight, and nine. It also meets “Vocabulary Development” standards for grades nine-ten. For more specifics see Standards. |
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What does a School-wide approach to learning vocabulary and other language arts skills look like? |
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It varies from school to school, but similar aspects include school-wide pre-testing & post-testing dates; displays of the weekly words on word walls, marquees, or administrative offices; use of the week’s words in announcements, signs, or public assemblies; occasional contests to apply new words; and a general enthusiasm from staff who praise students for applying their new words frequently and accurately. The “sky’s the limit” when a dedicated staff engage their creativity! |
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Are any of the Word Bank Series easier than the others? |
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Though they all address 6th – 9th grade standards, Series III is purchased most often by those wishing to implement it with 6th graders only. It is also recommended for schools with high populations of English Language Learners. One reason for this is that this volume contains twenty “academic” vocabulary words that appear more frequently in lower grades. (See Series III, "Year at a Glance.") Since many students confuse these directive verbs on assignments and assessments, we felt it was important to incorporate them in at least one of the books. |
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Does a whole school have to implement Word Bank, The Power of Words in order for it to be effective? |
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Word Bank, The Power of Words has proven to be effective for individuals, single classrooms, departments, whole schools, and for at least one district. |
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How do teachers typically implement Word Bank curriculum? |
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Each quarter begins with a Pre-test in order to measure progress in each 8 week period. After the Pre-test, most teachers begin the week either by projecting the Master Lesson or by using the overhead transparency (in Teacher Notebook of blackline masters) containing the Master Lesson to introduce the words and sample sentences. Students either copy words, definitions, and model sentences, or are challenged to look up and/or create their own. Then, as abilities and interests dictate, teachers assign the different exercises to do either in class or as homework. The more repetition and enthusiasm a teacher uses, the more effective it is. A Post-test gives both students and teachers feedback of student progress. The most improvement is apparent when teachers average Word Bank scores into student grades. |
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How do different content area teachers incorporate Word Bank, The Power of Words into their curriculum? |
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There are numerous creative ways that teachers have integrated Word Bank vocabulary into their classes. Business teachers have students type their words and original sentences to learn word processing skills; PE teachers create relay races that require knowing the definitions of words; math and social studies teachers give credit for seeing Word Bank words in answers to story problems or essay answers; and English teachers use Word Bank curriculum to reinforce what they are already teaching. One teacher created a “Taboo” game using weekly words that his students enjoy on Fridays! Call or write for more information. |
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What do the appendices contain? |
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Because not all of us are English teachers, we include refresher sheets that explain the rules for capitalization, commas, apostrophes, colons, semi-colons, and other grammatical and punctuation rules. Also included are the Pre- and Post-Tests for each quarter. |
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What if I want to home school my son or daughter with Word Bank, The Power of Words curriculum? |
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We have a Homeschool Edition of Word Bank, The Power of Words that is available at a substantial savings. Please call 1-866-967-3226 for more information. |
