It is vital that teachers give students the tools for acquiring their own rich vocabulary.  Students will learn many words when they encounter them in meaningful contexts, but other words must be directly taught .  Repeated meaningful encounters with words in read-alouds, in conversation, in personal reading, in discussion, or in media viewing can lead students to build vocabulary over time.  Teachers should model effective word learning strategies for students.

Think Aloud

Vocabulary Self-Selection Strategy

Contextual Redefinition

PAVE Procedure

List-Group-Label

Language Collection Sheet

Student VOC Strategy

Word Banks

12 Powerful Words That Challenge Students on Standardized Tests

Websites on Vocabulary Strategies:

Vocabulary Strategies for Secondary Students
http://people.uncw.edu/sherrilld/edn356/notes/vocabulary_Strategies.htm

A List of Vocabulary Strategies
http://www.justreadnow.com/strategies/vocabulary.htm

All America Reads Vocabulary Strategies - PDF
http://www.allamericareads.org/pdf/wyw/strategies/chapter/vocab.pdf