Vocabulary
is an essential component of any guided reading lesson. Because vocabulary
knowledge is critical to reading comprehension, it is important to help foster
the development of a large bank of words and effective vocabulary learning
strategies. Jan Richardson (2009) suggests that vocabulary research reveals
that every day experiences with oral and written language help to foster
learning vocabulary. In addition, it is also noted that direct instruction is beneficial
for learning new vocabulary words. Students who have a rich oral vocabulary
will likely read those words successfully in texts. One of the most effective
methods of helping children learn new vocabulary words is to teach unfamiliar
words used in a text prior to the reading experience. Jan Richardson (2009)
guides a teacher through four steps to introduce unfamiliar vocabulary that is
not defined within the text. The four steps include: define it, connect it to
the students’ experience, relate it to the book and turn and talk. It is
through guided reading that direct vocabulary instruction should occur and is
most effective when the words are embedded in the text and the students have
more than one encounter with new words. Picture support and known strategies
are also an important part of the small group lesson.
For English language learners, vocabulary development is especially important. Pre-teaching vocabulary is critical for these students. This will give them the chance to identify words and then be able to place them in context. You can pre-teach vocabulary in many way including, role play, drawing, displaying real objects and using gestures. August, Carlo, Dressler, and Snow (2005) suggest that English language learners who experience slow vocabulary development are less able to understand text at grade level than their native speaking peers. There are several strategies that are especially valuable for these students, including taking advantage of the students' first language, ensuring they know the meaning of basic words, and provide sufficient review and reinforcement.
Websites
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/vocabulary_games.html
http://www.vocabulary.co.il/
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/02/16-websites-to-teach-and-learn.html
http://www.k12reader.com/effective-strategies-for-teaching-vocabulary/
Documents
Alpha boxes
Vocab O Gram
Word Detective
Suggested Activities
Word Wall Hunt
Book Hunts
Word Splash
Mind Map
Create a personal dictionary
Games such as pictionary, concentration and taboo
Jan Richardson strategy cards
August, D., Carlo, M., Dressler, C. and Snow, C. (2005), The Critical Role of Vocabulary Development for English Language Learners. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 20: 50–57. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-5826.2005.00120.x
Richardson, J. (2009). The next step in guided reading. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
For English language learners, vocabulary development is especially important. Pre-teaching vocabulary is critical for these students. This will give them the chance to identify words and then be able to place them in context. You can pre-teach vocabulary in many way including, role play, drawing, displaying real objects and using gestures. August, Carlo, Dressler, and Snow (2005) suggest that English language learners who experience slow vocabulary development are less able to understand text at grade level than their native speaking peers. There are several strategies that are especially valuable for these students, including taking advantage of the students' first language, ensuring they know the meaning of basic words, and provide sufficient review and reinforcement.
Websites
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/vocabulary_games.html
http://www.vocabulary.co.il/
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/02/16-websites-to-teach-and-learn.html
http://www.k12reader.com/effective-strategies-for-teaching-vocabulary/
Documents
Alpha boxes
Vocab O Gram
Word Detective
Suggested Activities
Word Wall Hunt
Book Hunts
Word Splash
Mind Map
Create a personal dictionary
Games such as pictionary, concentration and taboo
Jan Richardson strategy cards
August, D., Carlo, M., Dressler, C. and Snow, C. (2005), The Critical Role of Vocabulary Development for English Language Learners. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 20: 50–57. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-5826.2005.00120.x
Richardson, J. (2009). The next step in guided reading. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.