Tier 3 Language

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People look negatively upon vocational style classes (such as wood tech or automotive tech), and fail to recognize them for having sophisticated language unique to these classes. Due to this unique, class specific language, there is a mix of tier 1 through tier 3 vocabulary used by both the students and Mr. Melnik. Some examples of tier 3 language would be the name of certain power tools (jigsaw, belt sander, lathe, rotary tool, wood planer, etc.). I argue that these qualify as tier 3, as they are subject specific, technical names that your average person may not be familiar with. Examples of tier 2 language could include knowing the names of different types of common wood (maple, tiger maple, mahogany, poplar, etc.) Further, some of the language …show more content…

These words are in such common use in the wood tech classroom that there is ample time to become familiar with them. It isn 't like other classes, which have a ton of technical vocabulary that needs to be covered, and the majority will only be applicable for a short period of time. All of the wood types, and power tools were covered at the beginning of the year during a tour of the shop. In addition, every time a demonstration is done, the name of any technical equipment (and relevant safety protocols) is reviewed. This repetition, along with seeing the tool/wood type/etc. in question allows the student to become familiar with the word, the object it refers to, and its pronunciation. In the past, I have seen some vocabulary terms also written on the board (sometimes with a drawing of the object the word refers to). This also allows students to know how the word is spelt. I 'm not sure if the majority of these words can be taught in the traditional, academic sense of "explicitly teaching" it. The seven steps of teaching vocabulary terms we learned may not be as applicable in this classroom. A definition of a power tool is less useful that physically seeing the object itself. I 'm also not too certain how many different, unique synonyms you can find for them. Mahogany is mahogany. It 's a type of wood, yes, but ultimately there is only so much it can be simplified. In this regard, Wood Tech approaches teaching these terms in the most efficient way possible: by showing, not