Vocabulary Instruction
Wake Robin Elementary
August 13, 2010
What is Vocabulary Instruction?
• vocabulary means learning meanings of new words” and it can also
mean “words that a reader recognizes in print”(Beck, McKeown, &
Kucan, 2008, p. 1).
• Literacy experts generally agree that a systematic and multifaceted
approach to vocabulary and word-building skill instruction is necessary.
Specific components include
(a) providing students with direct instruction of keywords and word-
learning strategies
(b) exposing students to extensive and vocabulary-rich reading, and
(c) creating an environment that encourages students to develop a “word
consciousness,” described as interest in and curiosity about words
(Graves,2006; Yopp & Yopp, 2007).
Students can increase their
vocabulary if they have:
• wide ranging
experiences
•sufficient number of
exposures
•active engagement
•consistent direct
instruction
•useful word learning
strategies
Number of Exposures Needed to Learn a
New Word
Level of Intelligence IQ Required Exposures
Signif. above average 120-129 20
Above average 110-119 30
Average 90-109 35
Slow learner 80-89 40
Mild cognitive impairment 70-79 45
Moderate cog impairment 60-69 55
(Gates, 1931; McCormick, 1999)
Vocabulary also
• Plays a critical part in learning to read
• Helps children make sense of the words they
see by comparing them to the words they
have heard
• Is one of the 5 building blocks of reading
• Can be divided into four types
Four types of vocabulary
Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Vocabulary Demands on Students are
Daunting
• 450,000 words in • Academic demands are
English- largest high
vocabulary of languages • Everyday speech
in use today consists of only 5,000-
7,000 words.
• Students must learn
• Conversation cannot
3,000 words per year by
make up the difference
3rd grade. (Frey & Fisher)
• Only 400 words a year
are directly taught by
teachers.
The Myth of Age or
Grade Level Vocabulary
• Students do not
learn vocabulary
words based on their
age or their grade.
• They learn words
based on their
experiences.
(Beck, et al, 2002)
What does research tell us?
• Most vocabulary is
learned indirectly
• Some vocabulary must
be taught directly
• Poor vocabulary is a
hallmark of language,
literacy, and cognitive
disabilities
Children learn word meanings indirectly in
three ways:
• Daily conversations and
oral language
experience with adults
and other children
• Listening to adults read
to them
• Reading extensively on
their own
Vocabulary: Four Steps to knowing
1. Never heard the word before
2. Heard it, but don’t know what it means
3. In context, I know it has something to do
with_____
4. Know it and use it
• (Beck, McKeown & Kucan, 2002; Carey, 1978)
Vocabulary Acquisition Builds Background Knowledge
– Words are labels students store in their memory
packets for single objects and for groups or
families of objects.
– Only if the student has a memory packet can that
student apply background knowledge to new
experiences through words.
• A store becomes a grocery store, a convenience store, a
department store, etc., only for the student with an
expanded memory packet.
Mississippi Department of Education 2007
Did you know…
Word learning depends how well a child is able
to make connections between words.
(Hoover & Storkel, 2005).
Word Associations
In order to make a connection with • This requires:
a new word a student must:
• First, realize he doesn’t know the • Good reasoning
word
• Select information in the context
• Good attention and
that gives the unknown word motivation
meaning
• Combine clues and make a guess • Good working memory
about the word’s definition • Also, good contextual
• Finally, refine the definition upon
encountering further information cues
(check if it makes sense)
(Beck, McKeown, Kucan)
Did you know…
• Vocabulary knowledge, story comprehension,
and story sequencing are the language skills
with the strongest relationship to improved
reading outcomes (Snow, Tabors, Nicholson & Kurland, 1994).
• Words are used to think. The more words we
know, the finer our understanding of the
world (Stahl, 1999).
