Vocabulary Why is developing students vocabulary knowledge important
Vocabulary
Why is developing students’ vocabulary knowledge important?
Virginia Standards of Learning for Vocabulary 1. 2 The student will continue to expand use listening and speaking vocabularies. 1. 7 The student will use meaning clues and language structure to expand vocabulary when reading. First Grade: Volume 2, Page 7
How Language Development Supports Literacy Development • Language develops • Early vocabulary throughout childhood scores predict later – BEFORE LEARNING TO reading READ: through shared comprehension conversations with adults and scores. peers, interactive read-alouds, discussions, etc. • Vocabulary – AFTER LEARNING TO influences a text’s READ: reading books becomes the primary vehicle difficulty level. for learning new words. See Cunningham and Stanovich (1991) (Freebody & Anderson, 1983; Marks, Doctorow, & Wittrock, 1974; Wittrock, Marks, & Doctorow, 1975).
Types of Vocabulary • Listening-receptive • Speaking-expressive • Reading-receptive • Writing-expressive
“. . a reader’s general vocabulary knowledge is the single best predictor of how well that reader can understand text” Anderson, R. C. & Freebody, P. (1981)
Students learn approximately 2, 000 -3, 000 words per year, about 6 -8 new words per day to their reading vocabularies. Anderson, R. C. & Nagy, W. E. (1992)
How do children learn words? (Beck, Mc. Keown, Mc. Caslin, & Burkes) Category of Word Knowledge Examples • Unknown Gauge • Acquainted Yardstick • Established Ruler
Characteristics of Ineffective Vocabulary Instruction • Assigning too many new words • Looking up words to memorize • Failing to produce in-depth word knowledge
Effective vocabulary instruction includes opportunities for INDIRECT CT E R DI Vocabulary indirect AND direct word learning
Indirect Vocabulary Instruction • Through conversations, especially with adults. • From listening to adults read to them. • By reading extensively on their own.
Direct Vocabulary Instruction Semantic Maps • Teach specific words before reading • Provide extended instruction to promote active engagement with vocabulary • Promote repeated exposure to vocabulary across many contexts
Direct Vocabulary Instruction Small Group Activity: Work at Vocabulary Strategy Stations
Teaching Vocabulary Strategies
Summary: Guidelines for Effective Vocabulary Instruction • Make sure students are reading books at their instructional reading level!!! • Introduce 2 -4 new words per week. AVOID OVERLOAD. • Teach vocabulary directly before, during, & after reading/writing instruction. • Teach students strategies for using context clues. • Link new words to familiar words & experiences (e. g. , orthography = spelling) • Familiarize students with common vocabulary test questions: analogies, context clues, cloze procedures, & selecting definitions • Use reference materials effectively. See Robb, L. (1999). Easy mini-lessons for building vocabulary. NY: Scholastic Professional Books for additional information.
Vocabulary at Different Stages • Emergent • Beginning • Instructional
How is vocabulary addressed in your literacy block?
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