Inside the Vocabulary Classroom
The environment of the classroom can help to build rich vocabulary. Allow the classroom to be filled with interesting, content-rich words. Children can then absorb knowledge just by looking around the room and using their environment to build vocabulary. The classroom library is a place for books, information, enjoyment, and instruction. Teachers should use challenging words (disruptions instead of noise), extend and clarify words (they may know a word meaning, but not beyond that meaning), use abstract language ( remember that time we...), use eye to eye instruction (pay close attention), and use purposeful talk (comments and questions).
Five Strategies to Enhance Oral Vocabulary Development
It is impossible for students to read and understand what they read without a strong foundation in oral vocabulary development.
1: Children Need Both Explicit and Implicit Instruction
Teachers need to give word definitions before reading a story for students to understand what they are reading or listening to. Explicit instruction is teachers clearly defining words to the students. Implicit instruction is when students imply what they are reading. Research has reported that explicit instruction is better to use, but that vocabulary gains are highest when teachers use both together.
2. Be Intentional in Word Selection
It is very important for teachers to carefully choose words they are teaching to their students. It is estimated that students can learn a total of about 400 words in a year, so teachers must ensure that those 400 words are the most beneficial to their learning. Context-related vocabulary helps students build vocabulary word knowledge and concepts essential to texts.
3. Build Word Meaning Through Knowledge Networks
Teaching students words in categories helps the retention of words. If a student knows the word oar, they most likely know more information about boats and paddling. Clustering words in knowledge networks facilitates children's comprehension and accelerates learning, and making words more meaningful.
4. Children Need Repeated Exposure to Gain Vocabulary
The frequency of students exposure to words predicts the learning of words. Children are more likely to learn words they hear the most, which makes repetition of words very important to gaining meaning.
5. Ongoing Professional Development Is Essential for Teachers to Accelerate Children's Oral Vocabulary Knowledge
Teachers must be building on professional development to accelerate instruction. Instruction involves finding words to be taught, defining these words, contextualizing words into meaningful formats, reviewing words to ensure sustainability, and monitoring children's progress.
It is impossible for students to read and understand what they read without a strong foundation in oral vocabulary development.
1: Children Need Both Explicit and Implicit Instruction
Teachers need to give word definitions before reading a story for students to understand what they are reading or listening to. Explicit instruction is teachers clearly defining words to the students. Implicit instruction is when students imply what they are reading. Research has reported that explicit instruction is better to use, but that vocabulary gains are highest when teachers use both together.
2. Be Intentional in Word Selection
It is very important for teachers to carefully choose words they are teaching to their students. It is estimated that students can learn a total of about 400 words in a year, so teachers must ensure that those 400 words are the most beneficial to their learning. Context-related vocabulary helps students build vocabulary word knowledge and concepts essential to texts.
3. Build Word Meaning Through Knowledge Networks
Teaching students words in categories helps the retention of words. If a student knows the word oar, they most likely know more information about boats and paddling. Clustering words in knowledge networks facilitates children's comprehension and accelerates learning, and making words more meaningful.
4. Children Need Repeated Exposure to Gain Vocabulary
The frequency of students exposure to words predicts the learning of words. Children are more likely to learn words they hear the most, which makes repetition of words very important to gaining meaning.
5. Ongoing Professional Development Is Essential for Teachers to Accelerate Children's Oral Vocabulary Knowledge
Teachers must be building on professional development to accelerate instruction. Instruction involves finding words to be taught, defining these words, contextualizing words into meaningful formats, reviewing words to ensure sustainability, and monitoring children's progress.