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Vocabulary Instruction

…word knowledge

of comprehension

Developed by Pamela Oliver and Deborah Stark, Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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How do you

teach it?As a team, discuss and write down the vocabulary instructional strategies you use ! Write one strategy per sticky note.Share your strategy listings with the

group! Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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THE GOAL OF THIS MODULE IS…

TO RAISE COMPREHENSION BY TEACHING VOCABULARY

As recommended by the National Reading Panel Full Report, 2000.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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As early as 1925, the National Society for Studies in Education Yearbook, cites: “Growth in reading power

means, therefore, continuous enriching and enlarging of the reading vocabulary and increasing the clarity of

discrimination in appreciation of word values”. Whipple, 1925, p.76

Davis in 1942, stated “comprehension is comprised of two “skills”:

word knowledge or vocabulary and reasoning in reading.”

(National Reading Panel, 4-14)Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Comprehension

Vocabulary

Instruction

The word knowledge of comprehension.

Text Comprehension Instruction

Reasoning in reading.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESSION OF VOCABULARY

As a learner begins to read (read alouds, imitation reading, independent reading), reading vocabulary encountered in texts is mapped into

the oral vocabulary the learner brings to the task.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESSION OF VOCABULARY

This translation from relatively unfamiliar words in print into speech raises the expectation that the

speech forms will be easier to comprehend the words will only be better understood if the word is part of the learner’s oral vocabulary if the oral

vocabulary item is not in the learner’s vocabulary, it will not be better understood than

it was in printDelaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Oral vocabulary is a key to learning to make the transition

from oral to written forms.

(National Reading Panel, 4-15)

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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In short…

When material is written in the range of known vocabulary, there is little need for vocabulary instruction. However, when material is written outside the range of familiar vocabulary, vocabulary instruction is necessary.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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KNOWING A WORD

CANNOT

BE

EQUATED WITH

KNOWING A

DEFINITION…

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Knowing a word means being able to do

things with it: to recognize it in connected speech or in print, to

access its meaning, to pronounce it and to be able to do these things within a fraction of

a second.(Stahl and Fairbanks, 1986)

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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THE PAST…Researchers claim we don’t learn much by looking up words in the dictionary and memorizing their

meanings (Nagy, 1989).

THE FUTURE…Learning vocabulary entails

elaboration and discussion of word meaning and opportunities to use the words (Beck and McKeown, 1991; Stahl & Fairbanks, 1986).

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Wordsplash Activity

• Suits any content area or grade level• Allows students to activate

background knowledge • Begins making connections between

what they know and what they will read

• Is a collection of key terms or concepts selected from a reading.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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meta cognition

brain compatible classrooms

multiple intelligences

integrated curriculum

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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My Words Vocabulary Graphics

Organizer

•Self selected vocabulary words•Can be used with any grade

level, content material, reading ability

• Individualized for each student•Promotes self-efficacy

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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My Words Graphic My Words Graphic Organizer ActivityOrganizer Activity

Personally Challenging Vocabulary Words

My Working Definition

Text-Based Because Sentences

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Concepts of Definition Map

??What is it????What is it like????What are some

examples??

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Be ready to begin in 10 minutes!

BREAK

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How many new

words should students

acquire each year?

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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From elementary through high school,

students need to acquire

2,700 – 3,000 words per year.

(Just and Carpenter, 1987; Nagy and Herman, 1987; Smith, 1941; Beck and McKeown, 1991

National Research Council, page 48)

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Instructional strategies for accomplishing this task…

…read alouds of vocabulary rich literature, followed by discussions of unknown / difficult vocabulary

…word walls

…word charts

…sentence expansionDelaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Read AloudsLeung, 1992, stated that read

aloud events help children to learn new words by incidental learning

…introduce vocabulary above student’s independent/instructional level

…expands language knowledge…promotes contextual language…books introduce children to more rare

words than conversation (Nagy & Anderson, 1984).

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Word WallsMakes connections between other

words in their oral language (Graves & Slater, 1990)

…should be interactive (students should be instructed on how to use the word wall in their learning),

…can be grouped by concepts, ideas, themes, etc,

…allow for active engagement.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Guidelines for Working Effectively with Word

Walls• Prior to displaying a word on the word wall,

engage students in a learning conversation, inviting them to discuss the features that they notice and how it is connected to other words.

• Write words in large, clear print that is easily viewed from all angles of the room.

• Create a visually cohesive wall so that the viewer perceives it as a collection of words and it is obvious how the words are organized.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Word Charts…are an extension of word walls,…are effective to use in

classrooms with limited space,…builds synonymous vocabulary,…are valuable resources for

writing activities.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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How many ways can said be said?

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Sentence & Word Expansion

…is a brainstorming procedure for helping students elaborate on concepts and words.

…assists students in allowing for an expanded vocabulary in their speaking and writing.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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The dog is sleeping in the house.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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So, how do you teach it?

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Reflection…1. What is a different way of interacting with the word wall?2. Which read aloud books will you read this year?3. Name one type of word charts that you can use with your students.4. A topic that I can use the wordsplash activity with is ____. Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001

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Teach Strategies which assist students in

expanding definitions and provide opportunities for students to talk and write about the words they are

learning.

Delaware Reading Cadre, 2001