16 Ways to Help Students Improve Their Glossary and Dictionary Skills

Are you looking for ways to help students improve their glossary and dictionary skills? If so, keep reading.

1. Praise the learner for demonstrating knowledge of glossary and/or dictionary skills: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

2. Converse with the learner to explain (a) what the learner is doing wrong and (b) what the learner should be doing.

3. Praise the learner for demonstrating knowledge of glossary skills and/or dictionary skills based on the number of times the learner can be successful. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the number of times required for reinforcement.

4. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for demonstrating glossary and dictionary skills at school.

5. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too complicated and (b) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

6. Select a peer to model glossary and dictionary skills for the learner and to assist the learner with instructions, etc.

7. Get the learner to be a peer tutor to teach another learner a concept they have learned.

8. Provide practice in glossary and/or dictionary skills by using an app that gives the learner instant feedback.

9. Make sure the learner has mastery of ideas at each level before introducing a new skill level.

10. Make sure the learner is not required to learn more information than they are capable of at any time.

11. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the learner to hurry and commit errors.

12. Give the learner an increased chance for help or assistance on academic tasks (e.g., peer tutoring, instructions for work sent home, frequent interactions, etc.).

13. Daily, examine those skills, ideas, tasks, etc., that have been previously introduced.

14. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

15. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

16. Try using one of our many apps designed to teach literacy skills and help students with reading issues:

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