Literacy Design Collaborative
Professional Development
Vocabulary
Outcomes
• Learn about vocabulary acquisition• Review research findings on vocabulary instruction• View instructional strategies related to vocabulary
instruction• Develop or revise a mini-task for an LDC module
Session Outline
1. Introduction
2. Reading Assignment
3. Research
4. Research to Action - Activities
5. Research to Action - Video Clip
6. Take Action - Assignment/mini-task
7. Resources
Reading Assignment
• Please go to the link below and read pp. 32-35 of Appendix A from the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
• Guiding Questions on the next page
• http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_A.pdf
Guiding Questions
1. What research based practice is recommended for students to increase and retain new vocabulary?
2. Think of examples where you might provide direct instruction for Tier one, Tier Two and Tier Three words?
3. What process is most effective for acquiring Tier Three words in content learning?
Research
To comprehend what we read, at least 95% of the words must be recognized automatically.
How is this possible given the number of words in English?
A Vocabulary Riddle
Students need to learn more words to read well, but they need to read well to learn more words.
McKenna, M.C. (2004). Teaching vocabulary to struggling older readers. Perspectives, 30(1), 13-16.
The Vocabulary Catch-22
Oral vocabulary at the end of first grade is a significant predictor of comprehension ten years later.
Cunningham, A.E., & Stanovich, K.E. (1997). Early reading acquisition and its relation to experience and ability 10 years later. Developmental Psychology, 33, 934-945.
The Importance of Vocabulary
Why is a large vocabulary associated with good
comprehension?
The Instrumental Hypothesis
Vocabulary aids comprehension by providing the reader with a tool, or instrument.
It’s not so much the words themselves that help, but the knowledge they represent.
The Knowledge Hypothesis
Comprehension and vocabulary are correlated “not because one causes the other, but because both reflect a more general underlying verbal aptitude.”
– Stahl & Nagy (2005)
The Aptitude Hypothesis
The Access Hypothesis
A larger vocabulary means
• deeper understanding of words (including nuances of meaning)
• quicker access to words in the lexicon
• flexibility in deciding among multiple meanings
The Reciprocal Hypothesis
Being a better reader makes it possible for you to read more
Reading more gives you a bigger vocabulary
Having a bigger vocabulary makes you a better reader
1. The number of words in English is very large2. Academic English differs from the kind of English used at
home3. Word knowledge involves far more than learning definitions4. Sources of information about words are often hard to use
or are unhelpful
Stahl & Nagy (2005)
Four Obstacles to Acquiring a Large Vocabulary
How do we learn words from experiences?
An aborigine points to a running rabbit and says “Gavagai.” Can you infer the word’s meaning?
Gavagai
Meaning
Each encounter with a word helps a student narrow its meaning. For example, if he hears the word gavagai used to refer to a sitting rabbit, the student will infer that running is not connected with the meaning.
Meaning
Young children learn word meanings from one-on-one interactions with parents and siblings. These interactions may be rich or poor. Consider two examples based on Hart and Risley’s (1995) comparison of families of different socioeconomic levels.
Do I have to eat these?
Yeah.
Do I have to eat these?
Yes, because they have vitamins that will help you grow and get stronger.
“Motherese”
What does it mean to know a word?
No knowledge
A vague sense of the meaning
Narrow knowledge with aid of context
Good knowledge but shaky recall
Rich, decontextualized knowledge,connected to other word meanings
A Continuum of Word Knowledge
That part of long-term memory devoted to word knowledge.
For example, when we read the word cat, this word is accessed in the lexicon, along with the various connections we have associated with it.
Lexicon
How is a word stored in the lexicon?
cat
cat
/kat/
c-a-t
cat
/kat/4 legs
“meow”c-a-t
pet
cat
/kat/4 legs
“meow” c-a-t
animal
petlion
cat
/kat/
mammal
4 legs
“meow”c-a-t
animal
petlion
cat
/kat/
mammal
4 legs
“meow”c-a-t
animal
pet
lion
cat
/kat/
dog
mammal
4 legs
“meow” c-a-t
animal
petlion
cat
/kat/
dog
mammal
4 legs
“meow”c-a-t
animal
pet
lion
cat
/kat/
dog
mammal
4 legs
“meow”c-a-t
animal
pet
lion
Dual Coding Theory
Two systems are involved in learning words. One contains verbal information, the other non-verbal (images). When we learn a word, real-world images that we associate with the concept are also stored. Accessing a word in the lexicon therefore involves both the verbal system and non-verbal (imagery) system.
~ Moral ~When teaching new words, use pictures and other
images where possible.
New meanings and even new pronunciations of a word may be added to a student’s lexicon over time.
produce
próduce
Raw veggies
prodúce
to make
For example, the word lean is initially learned around fourth grade as the act of allowing one object to rest against another. It is typically not until eighth grade that children learn that one person might lean on someone else for emotional support.
“Lean”
Biemiller, A. (2004). Teaching vocabulary in the primary grades.In J.F. Baumann & E.J. Kame’enui (Eds.),
Vocabulary instruction: Research to practice (pp. 28-40). New York: Guilford.
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 •••
To rest oneobject againstanother
To rely on anotherperson forsupport
lean
Is wide reading enough?
Vocabulary size andthe amount a child reads are correlated.
Direct instruction cannot possibly account for the number of word meanings children acquire.
Context is generally unreliable as a means of inferring word meanings.
Most words occur too infrequently to provide the number of exposures needed to learn them.
Why Wide Reading Is Enough
Why Wide Reading Is Not Enough
“There is no obvious reason why direct vocabulary instruction and wide reading cannot work in tandem.”
– Marzano (2004, p. 112)
RobertMarzano
What are some of the guiding principles of teaching vocabulary?
Guiding Principle
Pre-teach key words to
improve comprehension.
Provide more than definitions.
Guiding Principle
Some teachers fall into the trap of assuming that if a child can match a
word to its definition, the words meaning has been acquired.
Definitions Are Only a Start
WORD = DEFINITION
Stimulus Response
WORD = DEFINITION
Stimulus Response
“Truncate” = “to cut off”
WORD = DEFINITION
Stimulus Response
“Truncate” = “to cut off”
“She truncated the lights.”
Combine definitions and contextual examples.
Guiding Principle
Minimize rote copying of definitions.
Guiding Principle
Introduce new words in related clusters.
Guiding Principle
wing
antennae leg
abdomen
thorax
In content areas, clustering words is natural!
But general vocabulary words can be clustered
too!
Provide brief, periodic review.
Guiding Principle
A Thought Experiment
Group 1
• Receives 1 hour of direct instruction on 20 new words
• Spends 1 full hour of intense review on all 20 words
• This hour is uninterrupted
Group 2
The second group receives the same instruction
Group 1
• Receives 1 hour of direct instruction on 20 new words
• Spends 1 full hour of intense review on all 20 words
Group 2
• Receives 1 hour of direct instruction on 20 new words
• Spends 1 full hour of intense review on all 20 words
• This hour is broken into 6 10-minute sessions, 1 per month for 6 months
Assuming that no one encountered any of the 20 words again, which group would do better on a test after a delay of 10 years?
Group 2 will do far better on any delayed test.
Massed vs. Distributed Practice
What did the National Reading Panel conclude about teaching vocabulary?
NRP Findings on Vocabulary
• Teaching vocabulary improves general comprehension ability
• Pre-teaching vocabulary helps both word learning and comprehension of a selection
• Much vocabulary is acquired through incidental exposure
• Repeated exposures in a variety of contexts are important
NRP Findings on Vocabulary
• A combination of definitions and contextual examples works better than either one alone
• Many instructional methods can be effective in teaching vocabulary
• Instructional methods should result in active engagement
• Both direct and indirect methods should be used
NRP Findings on Vocabulary
• The more connections that are made to a word, the better the word tends to be learned
• Computer applications can be effective
• The effectiveness of some instructional methods depends on the age or ability of the student
What the NRP Doesn’t Know About Vocabulary Instruction
• Which methods work best with students of different ages and abilities?
• How can technology best be used to teach vocabulary?
• How is vocabulary best integrated with comprehension instruction?
• What combinations of instructional methods tend to work best?
• What are the best ways to assess vocabulary?
What are some of the most effective ways to teach
vocabulary?
Some Research-Based Techniques
• Read-Alouds• Semantic Feature Analysis • Graphic Organizers• List-Group-Label• Semantic Maps (word webs)• Word Lines• Word Sorts• Possible Sentences
A Closer Look at Definitions
golf n.
1. a good walk spoiled (Mark Twain)• 2. a game in which a player using special clubs
attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course (Webster)
…a game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course
This definition, like nearly all definitions of nouns, has two components.
golf n.
a game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course
class distinguishing features
in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course
a game
class distinguishing features
Graphic Organizers
A graphic organizer is a diagram that shows how key terms are related.
Why Use Graphic Organizers?
• They are easy to construct and discuss
• Technical terms can be taught in clusters
• They help kids “see” abstract content
• They enhance recall and understanding
• They have an impressive research base
Act 1 ExpositionAct 2 ComplicationAct 3 ClimaxAct 4 ResolutionAct 5 Conclusion
Shakespearean Tragedy
Exposition Complication Climax Resolution Conclusion
Exposition Complication Climax Resolution Conclusion
Exposition Complication Climax Resolution Conclusion
Complication
Exposition Complication Climax ResolutionConclusion
Complication
Climax
Resolution
Exposition Complication Climax ResolutionConclusion
Complication
Climax
Resolution
RisingAction
Exposition Complication Climax ResolutionConclusion
Complication
Climax
Resolution
RisingAction
FallingAction
• pupaegg
larvaadult
Tree Diagrams
drugsstimulantsdepressantsalcoholbarbituratescaffeineDexedrine
drugsstimulants depressants
caffeine Dexedrine alcohol barbiturates
Musical Instruments
Musical Instruments
wind nonwind
Musical Instruments
wind nonwind
brass woodwind
Musical Instruments
wind nonwind
brass woodwind string percussion
Musical Instruments
wind nonwind
brass woodwind string percussion
trumpet clarinet violin drum
Venn Diagrams
Frog and Toad Curious George
No people
AnimalCharacters
Animals talk
Could happen
Sociograms
James Roosevelt(1828-1900)
Sara Delano(1855-1941)
Elliott Roosevelt(1860?-94)
AnnaHall(1863-92)
FranklinDelanoRoosevelt(1882-1945)
AnnaEleanorRoosevelt(1884-1962)
Anna James Elliott FDR, Jr. Johnb. 1906 b. 1907 b. 1910 b. 1914
b. 1916
List-Group-Label
Hilda Taba’s idea later led to many related techniques.
ListStudents brainstorm all the words they can recall at the end of a unit.
GroupStudents suggest logical ways to group the words.
LabelStudents suggest a label for each group they form.
ListStudents brainstorm all the words they can recall at the end of a unit.
GroupStudents suggest logical ways to group the words.
LabelStudents suggest a label for each group they form.
ListStudents brainstorm all the words they can recall at the end of a unit.
GroupStudents suggest logical ways to group the words.
LabelStudents suggest a label for each group they form.
no legs garterboa
venomcobra
fang scales
coral tail
rattlecopperhead
treesholes
ground
no legs garterboa
venomcobra
fang scales
coral tail
rattlecopperhead
treesholes
ground
no legs garterboa
venomcobra
fang scales
coral tail
rattlecopperhead
treesholes
ground
garter boa copperhead cobra coral
Thing Snakes Might Have rattle scales fang no legs venom tail
trees holes ground
no legs garterboa
venomcobra
fang scales
coral tail
rattlecopperhead
treesholes
ground
Kinds of Snakes garter boa copperhead cobra coral
Things Snakes Might
Have rattle scales fang no legs venom tail
Where Snakes Are
Found trees holes ground
Semantic Maps
• (Word Webs)
BrainstormingStudents offer ideas related to a topic
MappingTeacher and students form categories and map the words into a diagram
ReadingStudents read a nonfiction selection
Completing the MapTeacher and students revisit the map and together refine and expand it
Snakes
treesholesground
garterboacopperheadcobracoral
Kinds Where
Things Snakes Might Have
rattle no legsscales venomfang tail
Semantic maps have the advantage of mirroring how
words are stored in the lexicon.
cat
/kat/
dog
mammal
4 legs
“meow”c-a-t
animal
petlion
Word Lines
hot cold
hot tepid cold
hot tepid cold
sweltering
hot tepid cold
sweltering chilly
hot tepid cold
sweltering chilly
Word Sorts
thoraxpupaabdomenantennaewinglarvaadultheadegg leg
Open Sort Categories are not given
Closed Sort
Parts Stages
Closed Sort
Parts Stages
thoraxabdomen
wingheadleg
antennae
pupaEgglarvaadult
• Present a list of 8-12 words the students will encounter in the new text
• Add a few familiar terms
• Ask for sentences containing at least two of the words
• Teach the text
• Return to the sentences
• Together decide whether they are correct or can be edited to make them so
Possible Sentences
Word Cards
• Students need to focus on words for more than a few seconds to increase understanding
• Students “do the work!”
• Provide 5x7 note cards and have students divide in 4 quadrants
Vocabulary Card: Frayer Model
Essential Characteristics
Nonessential Characteristics
Examples
wordNon-exemplars
Marzano’s 6-step Process for Direct Vocabulary Instruction
1. Teacher provides a description and example of the new term
2. Students restate the explanation in their own terms
3. Students create a non-linguistic representation of the word
4. Students do activities with the identified words to ensure distributed practice and multiple exposures
5. Students discuss the terms with one another
6. Students use games to “play” with the words.
In addition, he recommends the use of a vocabulary notebook for each student.
Marzono, R. (2004) Building BackgroundKnowledge for Academic Achievement. Alexandria, VO: ASCD.
Marzano’s 6-step Process for Direct Vocabulary Instruction
Research in Action
Integrating Vocabulary Instruction in the Content Area
1. Intentionally select words that are worth teaching
2. Model use of the selected words
3. Allow time for students to use the words immediately after modeling
Integrating Vocabulary Instruction In the Content Area
4. Give tasks that promote application and personalization
5. Engage students in authentic reading tasks, daily, focusing on high-frequency prefixes, suffixes and root words
(Fisher & Frey, 2008)
Selecting Words to Teach
“Research shows that some words can be learned from reading, but not until students encounter the new words repeatedly-through reading many other texts, verbal discussion,….”
Fisher, D. & Frey, N. (2008)
With the idea that students can learn (successfully) eight to ten words a week, how can we select the words that are worth teaching?
Isabel Beck (2002) and Fischer and Frey (2008) suggest choosing words from Tier 2 & Tier 3 that fit the following guidelines….
Word Selection
Representation
• Is the word critical to understanding the text?
• Is the word representative of a family of words?
• Does the word represent an idea that is necessary to understand related concepts?
Repeatability
• Does the word occur repeatedly in the text?
• Will the word be used again this year?
Transportability
• Will the word be used in discussion?
• Will the word be required in writing?
• Will the word be used in other content areas?
Contextual Analysis
• Will students be able to figure out the meaning using context clues or is direct instruction needed?
Structural Analysis
• Will students use structural analysis to determine the meaning or do they need direct instruction?
Cognitive Load
• Have I identified an appropriate number of words that students will be able to integrate and apply the meanings of the words?
Choice Literacy Podcast
Learn more about vocabulary instruction and how it is connected to the Common Core Standards and reading comprehension.
https
://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/doug-fisher-on-vocabulary/id488875239?i=111953207
Tier 1 Words
Some learners new to English may also need background knowledge and support in Tier 1 words. This is a link to a
word list that includes 850 words that are phonetically regular, easy to pronounce and could be a boost for
English learners.
Ogden’s Basic English Word Listhttp://ogden.basic-english.org/words.html
More Vocabulary Resources
“In the long run, effective intervention will involve extended vocabulary work as a normal part the curriculum.”
Biemiller, A. (2004). Teaching vocabulary in the primary grades.In J.F. Baumann & E.J. Kame’enui (Eds.), Vocabulary instruction: Research to practice (pp. 28-40). New York: Guilford.
AndyBiemiller
Online Dictionaries
• General Words: www.merriam-webster.com • Visual Dictionary: www.infovisual.info• Rhyming Words: www.rhymezone.com• Spanish Language: www.spanishdict.com• World Languages: www.wordreference.com• Thesaurus: www.bartleby.com/thesauri
References• Baumann, J.F., & Kame’enui, E.J. (2004). Vocabulary
instruction: Research to practice. New York: Guilford.
• Bear, D.R., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S.R., & Johnston, F. Words their way (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
• Beck, I.L., McKeown, M.G., & Kucan, L. (2002). Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary instruction. New York: Guilford.
• Beck, I.L., McKeown, (2008). Rev It Up: Robust Encounters with Vocabulary. Orlando, Florida: Steck-Vaughn.
• Blachowicz, C., & Cobb, C., (2007). Teaching Vocabulary Across the Content Areas. Alexandria, VA : ASCD.
References• Fisher, D. & Frey,N. (2008). Word Wise Content Rich: Five Essential Steps
to Teaching Academic Vocabulary. Porstsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
• Marzano, R. (2004) Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
• Nagy, W.E. (1988). Teaching vocabulary to improve reading comprehension. Newark, DE: IRA.Erlbaum.
• Stahl, S.A. (1999). Vocabulary development. Cambridge, MA: Brookline Books.
• Stahl, S.A., & Kapinus, B.A. (2001). Word power: What every educator needs to know about teaching vocabulary. Washington, DC: NEA.
• Stahl, S.A., & Nagy, W.E. (2005). Teaching word meanings. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.