Explicitly Develop Vocabulary with

Accelerated Reader

Research Background

Research shows that to effectively develop vocabulary students need:

Lots of appropriate reading practice A focus on words for everyday

conversation and their reading Motivation to learn new words Engagement by selecting the new

vocabulary to be learnt

Explicitly Develop Vocabulary

The significant Quality and Quantity of reading practice occurring in an Accelerated Reader classroom makes it ideal for implementing explicit vocabulary development lessons

Vocabulary Practice Quizzes

Each Vocabulary Practice Quiz includes 5 to 15 words chosen because of their frequency and significance to the meaning of the book

Vocabulary Practice Quizzes

VP Quiz words should be engaging as they come from a book the student personally choose from their reading range

Vocabulary Practice Quizzes

Vocabulary Practice Quizzes are only available to AR Advantage customers

Vocabulary Practice Quizzes

216 released November 2010800 more before June 2011

Vocabulary Practice Quiz Setup

Use the AR Advantage software to print bookmarks for each VP Quiz on cardboard or coloured paper

A bookmark lists the words in the VP Quiz for a particular book

Print a list of VP Quizzes in Title order Print a list of VP Quizzes in Book Level

order Store bookmarks in a box so students

can easily select a VP Quiz book

Teaching Routine

Step 1The Teacher identifies a student who is completing successful reading practice, such as:1. Averaging more than 90% on their

Reading Practice Quizzes, or2. Achieved their goal, or3. Ready for another challenge but not

a higher book level

Teaching Routine

Step 2The teacher asks the student to select a book from the VP Quiz list and take the bookmark from the box1. The book should be in the student’s

reading range2. If completing a VP Quiz on a

previously read books, the student should review the book first

3. Prior to reading the book, the student should review the words they will need to define at the end

Teaching Routine

Step 3The student selects a book from their reading range as normal in an Accelerated Reader Classroom :1. If the Teacher has directed the

student to explicitly complete a VP Quiz, the student needs to review the list of VP Quizzes first

Teaching Routine

Step 4The student reads the book as normal:1. They use the bookmark to remind

themselves of the words they will need to define at the end

2. Some students might benefit from:1. Ticking of each word the when they

see it the first time2. Noting the page number when they

see a word the first time

Teaching Routine

Step 5The student completes the Reading Practice Quiz as normal:1. They should pass the Reading

Practice Quiz before they attempt the VP Quiz

2. Consider deleting a failed Reading Practice Quiz and having the student review the book and do the quiz again, prior to attempting the VP Quiz

Teaching Routine

Step 6The student reviews the words listed on the bookmark prior to attempting the VP Quiz:1. They will need to find the meaning

of any words they don’t know1. They could re-read part of the book

with the word in it for contextual meaning, or

2. They can use a dictionary to find the meaning

Teaching Routine

Step 7The student takes the VP Quiz containing 5 to 15 words from:1. Words within the book they just

read2. Words that they got wrong on a

previous VP Quiz3. Review words

1. Those they got right on a previous VP Quiz

2. Those they got wrong from a previous review list

Teaching Routine

Step 8The student gets an additional TOPS report that details which words:1. They got right from this book2. They got wrong from this book 3. They had right before and right this

time4. They got right this time, but had

gotten wrong before

Teaching Routine

Step 9The student uses their TOPS Report to find the meaning of words they haven’t defined correctly:1. They can review the book2. They could use a dictionary3. Leave the student to define the

words unless absolutely necessary to provide the answer

4. The teacher should consider additional teaching activities for reinforcement with each student

VP Quiz Structure

VP Quiz Structure