Is there anything better than thinking and talking about words?

Is there anything better than thinking and talking about words? Our vocabulary instruction professional learning delves into the world of words where teachers engage with vocabulary in meaningful and purposeful ways.

Buckley Park Secondary College understands the importance of vocabulary knowledge in academic achievement, making it a whole school focus and supporting this through the PLTs in their Professional Learning Community.

schoolED is supporting their journey, working with leadership to design professional learning that fits within the context of the school and the needs of the teachers.

This began recently with a whole-day professional learning that built background knowledge of vocabulary Tiers, introduced and modelled approaches for understanding and identifying the vocabulary demands of an assessment or Unit of Study, identifying vocabulary and creating word lists for instruction and monitoring. The day included demonstrating effective strategies for vocabulary instruction that teachers could plan for and implement the next days, as well as ways vocabulary knowledge can be monitored. Time through the day for PLTs given time to discuss and apply the learning was prioritised. The consultant worked with each PLT to help them determine how they can embed effective vocabulary instruction within their Domain, as well as provide feedback or clarify their understanding of identify the vocabulary demands and specific Tier words lists.

PLTs finished the day with goals and plans for their PLC cycle, and individual teachers finished the day with words and strategies they could implement in their classrooms the next day. Having gathered feedback from participants, the school and schoolED are ready for the next steps to support the implementing, embedding, and monitoring of vocabulary acquisition instruction in the classroom.