3.4: Assignment - Improving Vocabulary
- Page ID
- 19517
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Vocabulary is an important part of reading comprehension. The more we read, the more vocabulary words we will recognize. In fact, the best way to develop a rich vocabulary is to read widely and frequently.
Proficient readers also use strategies for dealing with unfamiliar words. They continue to build their vocabularies through effective use of:
- the dictionary
- context clues, and
- common prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
For this activity, you will choose a text for another class and apply vocabulary strategies (chosen from your Internet research) to 10 words from your reading selection.
Directions
- Review the grading rubric as listed on this page.
- Using Internet resources, research strategies for improving vocabulary related to dictionary, context clues, and common prefixes/suffixes/roots.
- Choose a substantial (5 pages or more) reading from another class.
- Cite the reading source using either MLA or APA formatting (use WriteCite to assist you if needed).
- Select 10 vocabulary words from the reading.
- Apply the vocabulary strategies to the 10 words.
- Create a matrix schedule (similar to the one below) in a Google Spreadsheet.
- Set the Google Spreadsheet share permissions to “Anyone with the link.”
- Submit the URL of your Google Spreadsheet to your instructor.

Example Matrix Schedule for Improving Vocabulary in Google Spreadsheet
Grading
Points: 45
Submitting: a website URL
| Improving Vocabulary KEEP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria | Ratings | Points | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sentence from Reading with Vocab Word | 10 words 10 pts |
9 words 9 pts |
8 words 8 pts |
7 words 7 pts |
6 words 6 pts |
5 words 5 pts |
4 or < words 0 pts |
10 pts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dictionary Strategy | 10 words 10 pts |
9 words 9 pts |
8 words 8 pts |
7 words 7 pts |
6 words 6 pts |
5 words 5 pts |
4 or < words 0 pts |
10 pts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Context Clues Strategy | 10 words 10 pts |
9 words 9 pts |
8 words 8 pts |
7 words 7 pts |
6 words 6 pts |
5 words 5 pts |
4 or < words 0 pts |
10 pts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prefix/Suffix/Root Strategy | 10 words 10 pts |
9 words 9 pts |
8 words 8 pts |
7 words 7 pts |
6 words 6 pts |
5 words 5 pts |
4 or < words 0 pts |
10 pts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| APA or MLA Citation of Reading Selection | Correct citation 5 pts |
Incorrect or no citation 0 pts |
5 pts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apply effective reading strategies used by proficient readers before, during, and after reading text. | Exceeds expectations 0 pts |
Meets expectations 0 pts |
Does not meet expectations 0 pts |
0 pts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL POINTS | 45 pts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||


