OBSERVATION SURVEY TOOL

Writing Vocabulary

WHAT IS VOCABULARY?  is the set of words within

a language that are familiar to a person.

A vocabulary usually develops with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge.

Acquiring an extensive vocabulary is one of the largest challenges in learning a second language.

Writing VocabularyThis task assesses the child’s known or

is partially known vocabulary words. The teacher allows the child to write all the

words that he knows within a ten-minute time limit. The observer gives prompts if the child cannot think of words spontaneously. The observer not only looks for words the child knows, but also how the child handles using space, directionality, and letter formation during the writing task.

HOW TO ADMINISTER:1. Give the child a pencil and say:

I want to see how many words you can write.Can you write your name?

If the child says “YES” say:Write your name for me.

When the child finishes, say:Good. Now think of all the words you know how to write and write them all down.

(START THE 10-MINUTE TIMING HERE)

If the child says “NO” ask the child if he knows any single-letter or two-letter words. Say:Do you know how to write “is” (pause), “to” (pause) “I”?

Then suggest other words that he may know how to write :

I a is in am to come like see the my we and at here on up look go this it me(This is not a list to be dictated or used for teaching)

2. Continue for 10 minutes or until the child’s writing vocabulary is exhausted.

3. Prompt the child as much as you like with words he might be able to write. The following is a good open-ended question that can focus children’s attention on other words:Do you know any other words like that?Do you know how to write things you do?Do you know how to write about things in the house?Do you know the names of things you ride on (or in)?Do you know how to write about things you eat?Do you know how to write…?

THINGS TO

1. Do not prompt for words in series

2. The child should not be asked to read the words he has written.

3. Be careful not to interfere with his thinking and his searching of his own repertoire.

HOW TO SCORE:The child is scored based on the number of word(s) that she/he was able to write correctly.

SAMPLE WORK OF A CHILD:

DEMONSTRATIONS