2. Book Nook Following the placement activity, students visit the Book Nook, where they read two passages (one fiction, one nonfiction) related to the theme. Each passage exposes students to high-utility vocabulary words in context, along with grade-appropriate idioms and expressions. Students select which passage to read first. Full audio support and text highlighting is automatic for Grades K–1 and can be enabled by students for Grades 2–5. Additionally, closed captioning is also available and student-enabled. Based on a student’s performance in the What Do You Know? activity, a student will read grade-level or simplified passages in the Book Nook. Vocabulary is identical at both levels of text, while reading passages have the same layout and differ only in presentation—for example, length of sentences or number of modifiers. The passages will always include the same high-utility vocabulary words and tell the same story. Texts at the simplified reading level make use of simpler sentences, emphasizing and repeating the high-utility vocabulary words. There are no contractions, fewer pronouns, and fewer modifiers. There is more repetition and reiteration of ideas from one sentence to the next and there are no extra non-vocabulary words that may be perceived as challenging. Where applicable, especially in the lower grades, the passages have less text per page and generally utilize a simpler layout (e.g., more line breaks). Grade-level passages include both the high-utility vocabulary words and some additional challenging words, using compound and complex sentences. For example, a text about animal shelters would use only the word shelter at the simplified level but, in grade level, would use shelter along with words such as kennel and lair . Grade-level passages also use subordinate clauses and antecedent pronouns, as well as more nouns and modifiers. Where applicable, the grade- level passages will have more text per page with fewer visual breaks. Regardless of reading level, all students are exposed to the same core word lists for that grade and theme— making W.O.R.D. appropriate for all learners. 3. Mega Sort Once students finish reading a passage, they then sort the new vocabulary words they have just encountered into megaclusters. Megaclusters are groups of words with strong semantic ties—words that are related in meaning or function, based on the meaning within the context of the passage. All megacluster work is done within the context of the fiction or nonfiction passages, reinforcing the connections between words and highlighting that a word can have different meanings depending on the context.
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SCHOLASTIC W.O.R.D. FOUNDATION PAPER
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