Vocabulary+Knowledge+Rating

The Vocabulary Knowledge Rating (VKR) is a simple process that helps students master critical term and concepts that you as a teacher feel are important. VKR provides teachers with a wealth of formative assessment data by providing answers to two questions
 * 1) Which concepts are giving the entire class trouble
 * 2) Which individual students are struggling most with the content

In VKR, students numerically rate their understanding of key terms using an organizer. The value of each number is shown below.

1= I have never heard of this term 2= I have seen or heard of this term before, but I am not sure what it means. 3= I think I know what this term means. 4= I know what this term is and can explain what it means.

This strategy can be used at anytime during a unit to assess the student’s knowledge of the material. In the beginning of the unit, the students will be assessed on their initial understanding of the key concepts and help them activate any relevant background knowledge. This is a great way for the teacher to see what the students already know. It is also great for the students to get a preview of what the important concepts in the unit. This strategy can also be used during the middle of the unit so that you can assess how well the students are progressing with the material. If the students are still checking a lot of “1’s” on the VKR, then you know that you should revisit those topics so that the kids can understand them better. At the end of the unit, but prior to the test, you can use this strategy again so that the students know what they have to review for the test. Below is an example of what a Vocabulary Knowledge Rating looks like.

This is also a great strategy because students automatically will start remembering a word when they are constantly exposed to them. In their research into vocabulary instruction, Jenkins, Stein, and Wysocki (1984) show that students need to be exposed to new words at least six times to master and retain their meanings. VKR provides teachers with a manageable way to keep students connected to the key concepts of the unit.

Below is a worksheet you can print out and use in your classroom.

Below is the powerpoint that I presented in class.

To learn more about Vocabulary Knowledge Rating you can visit the websites below:

[]

http://www.albionk12.org/forum/Vocab/VKRTool.pdf

Jenkins, J. R., Stein, M. L., & Wysocki, K. (1984). Learning vocabulary through reading. //American Educational Research Journal, 21, 767-787.//