Tag Archives: vocabulary

Exploring Vocabulary With the Frayer Model Using Lucid

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Originally designed as a tool to enhance understanding of vocabulary, the Frayer Model encourages learners to delve deeply into words by defining them, providing examples and non-examples, and connecting them to their own experiences in a consistently organized way. Lucid is one example of a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools that can be used to create a document where learners can interact with the Frayer Model. These documents can be used individually or collaboratively to explore vocabulary and define concepts.

Frayer Model Template Made Using Lucid

The video titled How To Use the Frayer Model by TeachLikeThis provides a description of the Frayer Model.

Download & Print a More Core Stand

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Recently, several LCPS administrators participated in a short professional learning experience where they competed groups to see how many sentences they could generate from just a small set of the most frequently used words in English (known as core vocabulary). The winners of the competition received a 3D printed More Core Holder Stand to place a core board (or boards) for anyone to use. You’re invited to download the file named More Core Board Holder too! Once printed, place it in your office, library, cafeteria, or all of these places (and more) with an example of a core board that can be used anytime if needed.

Screenshot of a design made in Tinkercad of a dome-shaped object with a slit in it to hold up paper with the words More Core on the front.

More Core Board Holder

Educator Communication Partner Champions at Countryside Elementary School

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In October of 2023, in recognition and celebration of Augmentative/Alternative Communication Month, learners at Countryside Elementary School engaged in an experience where they explored augmentative/alternative communication. In a continuation of their commitment to helping all students learn language, the entire staff of Countryside Elementary were introduced to the fundamental tenets of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) by a team comprising their Speech-Language Pathologist, a 1st grade general education teacher, a Cross-Categorical teacher, and their Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Assistive Technology. The workshop focused on employing AAC as a support tool, defining effective communication partnership, and ensuring equitable and inclusive instruction for all students.

Feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive, with numerous staff members expressing increased engagement and appreciation for the insights shared. This initiative marks a significant stride towards inclusivity and is part of Countryside Elementary’s ongoing efforts to integrate effective, innovative educational practices that cater to diverse learning needs. If you’re interested in leading a similar event, reach out to the Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Assistive Technology who works at your school!

Four teachers holding iPads with an AAC app on them in front of an interactive whiteboard that says Thank You

The team of presenters

8 teachers holding LAMP:WFL core boards

The staff at Countryside learning all about core vocabulary.

12 teachers holding up LAMP:WFL core boards

More staff at Countryside ES learning about how to teach language using augmentative/alternative communication

A group of teachers working with iPads at tables looking at the application LAMP:WFL

How many sentences can you make using just the words on the core vocabulary board?

Two teachers smiling and holding up LAMP:WFL on an iPad

Even more staff making sentences using AAC!

Substituting Text in Google Docs

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Users can streamline the writing process using the Substitution feature in Google Docs, especially if what is being written involves typing repetitive text or special characters. To access this feature, open a Google Doc and navigate to ‘Tools’ in the menu bar. From there, select ‘Preferences’. In the Preferences window, there is a tab labeled ‘Substitutions’. Here, users can create custom shortcuts. For instance, a user can set up a substitution such as “myemail” which will automatically expand to the full email address whenever you type it. This is not just limited to text; you can also use it for symbols, like replacing “->” with “→”. Once set up, these substitutions can save significant time and effort, making the writing process both faster and more efficient. To learn more about this feature, visit the webpage Manage writing suggestions in Google Docs.

screenshot of substitution feature of Google Docs. There are two columns and seven rows each with a text substitution, like trex becoming Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Substitutions in Google Docs

Creating a Personal Dictionary Using the Check It Feature of Read&Write for Google Chrome

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When writing, learners may find they are using words that are spelled correctly, but not identified in the dictionary. Certain proper nouns, for instance, might not be in the dictionary used by Google Docs. Learners can add words to a personal dictionary using the Check It feature of Read&Write for Google Chrome. The Check It feature will underline words not in the dictionary. If the user would like to add the word to their personal dictionary, they select the word and choose “Add to Dictionary” from the drop down. For a tutorial, review the video Read&Write for Google Chrome – Check It Overview.

Adding Textures to Text To Help Illustrate Meaning

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Textures can be added to the inside of text of specific words to help teach meaning. Providing a visualization of a word can help it stick with someone’s memory. Textures can be added using Word Art in Microsoft Word, Adobe Firefly, and/or the Text Effects feature of Adobe Creative Cloud Express which is available to all educators in Loudoun County Public Schools through LCPS Go. Below are some examples of verbs (core vocabulary words) illustrated with representative textures.

The word drink with the texture of flowing water The word eat made with the textures of different foods The word sleep made with the texture of pillows and beds