What do we do for Expanding Vocabulary in CAFE?

Expanding Vocabulary with "Wise Owl Words"

Our “Wise Word Owl” wall showcases our big vocabulary words. Each week a new “wise word” shows up in Wally the owl’s mailbox. Our calendar captain checks the mail on Monday and the vocabulary word is shared with the class. We take time to define our word of the week as well as use it in a variety of sentences. The children are challenged each week to use the word as much as they can in their everyday speaking at home and at school. The purpose of our “wise words” is to expand each child’s vocabulary. Expanding children’s vocabulary plays a major role in reading and writing development. One of the goals from our CAFE menu is to expand vocabulary. The strategy to help children accomplish this goal is to tune into interesting words, which is exactly what our “wise word” of the week does.  Our “wise words” up to date are posted below. The book Bringing Words to Life Robust Vocabulary Instruction has lots of ideas on how to introduce and choose appropriate vocabulary words for K, 1st, and 2nd grade.

The children love putting their wise owl words in their word collection jars each week. During Reader’s Workshop, the children can add words they find in books to theirs jars also. Our jars are getting full!