Vocabulary Development

Research emphasizes that vocabulary development is a vital part of all content learning, but it is too often ignored.  The link between vocabulary knowledge and comprehension is undeniable.  While wide reading increases a student’s vocabulary significantly, teachers must realize that direct and explicit instruction in vocabulary must also occur daily in all classrooms.  Students enter school with vastly different levels of word knowledge.  Teachers must build word-rich environments in which to immerse students and teach and model good word learning strategies.  Because research shows that having students look up words and write definitions is the least effective way to increase their vocabulary, this page features many strategies and methods for teachers to use in classroom instruction.

Vocabulary Graphic Organizers

Vocabulary Strategies

Word Play

Vocabulary Tips & Hints

Links to Vocabulary Websites:

Building the Foundations of Literacy: The Importance of Vocabulary and Spelling Development
http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/hmsv/expert/research.html

Reading Rockets:  Teaching Vocabulary
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/9943/

Doing It Differently:  Tips for Teaching Vocabulary
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/vocabulary-instruction-teaching-tips-rebecca-alber

Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary
http://www.k12reader.com/effective-strategies-for-teaching-vocabulary/

Top Ten Ways to Teach Vocabulary
http://www.trcabc.com/resources/top-ten-ways-to-teach-vocabulary/

Common Word Roots: Expand Your Vocabulary by Studying Greek and Latin Word Roots

http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/wordroots.htm

Learn an Ivy League Vocabulary: SAT Prep
http://www.freevocabulary.com/

Teach 21 Home