Vocabulary Self-Collection Strategy (VSS) For Their

Vocabulary Self-Collection Strategy (VSS)
For
Their Eyes Were Watching God
PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY:
According to research, good readers focus on increasing vocabulary (Jimenez, Garcia, &
Pearson 1995, 1996). This strategy helps students increase their vocabulary so that they
can become better readers. This strategy in particular has been shown to promote the
long-term acquisition of language in an academic setting (Haggard 1986). This strategy
helps students, particularly linguistically diverse learners, to be able to learn a few key
terms in depth rather than knowing many more superficially.
DIRECTIONS:
STEP 1: Introduce the Strategy. Introduce the strategy by presenting a word to the
class from the recent reading. Then present the three questions that the students should
ask themselves about the word. Post these somewhere in the classroom as reference.
STEP 2: Divide the Class. Put the class into groups of two to five students. These
groups will then work together to choose one word to do VSS.
STEP 3: Present the Words to the Class. A person from each group will present the
nominated word and respond to the three questions.
1. Where is the word found in the text? The person reads the passage in which
the word is located or describes the context in which the word is used.
2. What do the team members think the word means? The team decides on what
the word means in the context in which it is used. They must use information
from the surrounding context and may also consult reference resources.
3. Why did the team think the class should learn the word? The team must tell
the class why the word is important.
STEP 4: Students Record in Learning Log. Have the students record all the
nominated words in their learning logs or vocabulary notebooks. These lists will be
reviewed and studied.
ASSESSMENT:
Students will be better readers as they understand key words in depth from their readings.
This strategy helps students learn how to understand words in their contexts. This helps
them better understand how they can make text more comprehensible. This is a strategy
that they could apply across curriculum in any content area. These vocabulary lists could
be used throughout the units to reinforce the importance of the strategy.
Stevens, 2006
Vocabulary Self-Collection Strategy
Teacher Copy
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Model this strategy for the students so that they know how to do the following steps.
Word:
sanctum
Question 1: Where is the word found in the text? Be prepared to read the passage or identify the context
where is the word is found.
This word is found on page 10 near the bottom. It is in the part where Janie is explaining her
experience with the pear tree. It says, “ She saw a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of the
bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the
tree…”
Question 2: What do we think the word means? As a team decide what the word means in its specific
context. Use information surrounding the word to make inferences about the meaning of the word.
Because of its context, I think this word means center or inner part of something. We know that a
bee gets the honey from the middle of the blossom and so I think that “sanctum” refers to the middle
of something. This is what I inferred because of the context. Do you think I am right or wrong?
*At this point the teacher could double check the word in the dictionary, but try to encourage the
students to figure it out on their own using the context.
Question 3: Why do we think the class should learn the word? Be ready to explain to the class why this
word is important to our study in the classroom.
I think the class should learn this word because this part about the pear tree seems like an important
part of the book. Since this book is about Janie’s experiences, I think this part is something that will
affect her throughout the novel. It seems like this experience changes her somehow and so it is
important to understand what is going on in this part.
Record the words in the vocabulary notebooks for future review and assignments.
Stevens, 2006
Vocabulary Self-Collection Strategy
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Student Instructions: In your group, decide on one word to better understand from the
reading. Then answer the following questions to be presented to the class.
Word:
Question 1: Where is the word found in the text? Be prepared to read the passage or identify the context
where the word is found.
Question 2: What do we think the word means? As a team decide what the word means in its specific
context. Use information surrounding the word to make inferences about the meaning of the word.
Question 3: Why do we think the class should learn the word? Be ready to explain to the class why this
word is important to our study in the classroom.
Remember to record this word and the others presented in your vocabulary notebooks for
future assignments.
Stevens, 2006