How many words to introduce How many words to introduce to children per week:to children per week:

K- threeK- three 11stst grade- 5 grade- 5 22ndnd grade- 5-8 grade- 5-8 33rdrd grade 8-10 grade 8-10

Some strategies for teaching Some strategies for teaching vocabularyvocabulary

Vocabulary posters- take words from Vocabulary posters- take words from readings and have children write the readings and have children write the word, sentence in readings that uses word, sentence in readings that uses the word, and the definition.the word, and the definition.

Have children present it (see Have children present it (see Tompkins PP 170).Tompkins PP 170).

Making wordsMaking words

Making words: eg: RSNIA.Making words: eg: RSNIA. Students will make several words Students will make several words

from this.from this. Students will categorize the wordsStudents will categorize the words

Word wallsWord walls

May include high frequency and May include high frequency and vocabulary words. vocabulary words.

Arrange alphabetically because they Arrange alphabetically because they add up over the course of year.add up over the course of year.

Can expand and do word sortsCan expand and do word sorts

Word sortsWord sorts

Sorting words using different criteria.Sorting words using different criteria. Sounds, verbs/nouns/adjectives, Sounds, verbs/nouns/adjectives,

places, etcplaces, etc Description of different characters, Description of different characters,

etcetc

dramatizationdramatization

Choose word from wordwall and Choose word from wordwall and dramatize for classmates.dramatize for classmates.

Especially effective for English Especially effective for English language learners.language learners.

Word chainWord chain

Choose a word from word wall and Choose a word from word wall and have children identify 3-4 words to have children identify 3-4 words to sequence before or after the word to sequence before or after the word to make a chain. Eg: Tadpole- egg, make a chain. Eg: Tadpole- egg, tadpole, frog; temparature: freezing, tadpole, frog; temparature: freezing, cold, cool, warm, hot, boiling.cold, cool, warm, hot, boiling.

How children learn wordsHow children learn words

Incidental word knowledge- through Incidental word knowledge- through read-alouds, independent reading, read-alouds, independent reading, participation in talk activities )pp 175 participation in talk activities )pp 175 of Tompkins has a list of good read of Tompkins has a list of good read alouds for preK-3alouds for preK-3rdrd grade) grade)

Levels of word knowledgeLevels of word knowledge

Unknown words- no knowledge at allUnknown words- no knowledge at all Initial recognition- have seen or heard, Initial recognition- have seen or heard,

and may pronounce word but don’t and may pronounce word but don’t know meaningknow meaning

Partial word knowledge- know one Partial word knowledge- know one meaning of word & can use in sentence.meaning of word & can use in sentence.

Full word knowledge- know more than Full word knowledge- know more than one meaning or several ways to use it. one meaning or several ways to use it.

Guidelines for teaching Guidelines for teaching vocabularyvocabulary

Choose from books children are readingChoose from books children are reading Feature important and useful words on word Feature important and useful words on word

walls.walls. Scaffold for children as they develop full Scaffold for children as they develop full

knowledge by teaching multiple meanings knowledge by teaching multiple meanings (affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and figurative (affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and figurative meanings).meanings).

Read aloud to children every day.Read aloud to children every day. Provide daily opportunities for children to read Provide daily opportunities for children to read

everyday.everyday. Encourage children to use new vocabulary in Encourage children to use new vocabulary in

disussions and in writing.disussions and in writing.

Other guidelinesOther guidelines

Teacher should involve children Teacher should involve children identify words to go on word walls.identify words to go on word walls.

Teacher chooses important words for Teacher chooses important words for mini lessons. mini lessons.

Teacher should avail dictionaries and Teacher should avail dictionaries and thesaurus meant for children’s age.thesaurus meant for children’s age.